FACING FATE

By: Alithiel

Disclaimer: Hi! My nom-de-lume is Alithiel, and this is my first-ever fanfic. Bear with me…this is a work in progress! Alright, just for legal sake, I must state that I do not own Gundam Wing or it's characters in any way. (It's a damn shame…If I did own it, I'd be REAL happy…)

Of course, just like any good fanatic, I asked for it for Christmas, but no such luck. Anyway, ths story is set in another time and an alternate universe. Brynn is MY character, so if you want to use her, ASK ME!!!!!! Also, Trowa and Catheine are not related. The whole idea is based on a dream I once had…I guess I drank too much coke…and please don't get mad at the misspellings, my spellchecker is on the fritz! -.- All comments should be E-mailed to: arlyssa_nighthawke@yahoo.com

ATTENTION! This is a non-yaoi story!

Chapter 1: Vision of disaster

Europe, 14th century 1395A.D.

The bell tolled once, twice, three times. After the third, it silenced its call. As the shimmering echoes dissipated, a slim girl rose from the chapel altar where she had knelt in prayer, seeking guidance, since dawn. She turned in a swirl of cobalt blue silk and white ermine and headed down the short nave toward the doors that led to the palace courtyard. As she exited, the others in the church bowed or curtsied. She nodded politely to them, as was expected of her. When she was out in the air and light, she hiked her skirts up about her knees in a very un-ladylike manner and ran toward the entrance to the castle, tears unashamedly streaming down her face from her sky-blue eyes. She dashed inside the large oaken doors, and ran straight into the arms of a white haired man.

"Princess Relena? What is wrong, my lady?"

Princess Relena Dorlain-Peacecraft was trembling. She looked up at her guardian, advisor and friend with fear in her eyes.

"Peygan…I know what we must do…for the war...but it will most likely cost us dearly…"

"A vison, my lady?"

Relena nodded, her gold hair swinging. "A message from God. We must speak immediately, Peygan. Could you call the Council?"

The man who had taken care of her for as long as she could remember nodded gravely.

"Yes."

*****

In another part of the continent, a tall girl stood staring out the high tower window of her own castle.

"Unless you tell us what you know, peasant…" She turned, her icy cruel blue eyes focusing on the helpless man chained to the wall. "We will slaughter your family. Tell us what you know about Cinq!"

The peasant spat on her crimson gown. "I will tell you nothing! My family is prepared. You will not get a word out of me, Dorothy Catalonia, you filthy bitch of a whoring hound!"

Dorothy laughed loudly, running a slim finger across her eyebrows. "Very creative, vermin. I applaud your effort to throw me off. I was sure a man in your situation would confess, but I seem to have been mistaken." She smiled slightly, then leaned down to whisper in his ear. "You may not have told me what I needed to know, but know this. I WILL find someone who will, and then, nothing will save them from the fate I have decreed." She stood up, face twisting in revulsion toward the filthy, stinking, LOYAL peasant. "Acuro!" A large man entered. He was dark skinned and massive, and carried an enormous bastard sword. Better than all this, however, was that he was almost as cruel as she was. "Toss him off the uppermost parapet. And…" She sniffed disdainfully. "…make sure you clean it up this time. We don't want a mess when Lord Trieze and the rest of the Foundation arrive."

The huge man picked the pesant up like he was a sack of grain, tossed hm over his shoulder, and left the room. Minutes later, a loud scream filled the castle, then nothing.

*****

Not too far from the castle of Dorothy, a young man sat upon horseback, cloaked and hooded in black, waiting patiently. He saw the flash of crimson cloth and the sparkle of cold, cruel eyes, witnessed the murder of the peasant. He closed his cobalt blue eyes and nodded, then turned the steeds' head.

"Come, Wing." His voice rung out as cold as the air around him. "It is time for me to fulfill my promise to my father. I must go to Cinq."

He set his spurs to the horses flank and, with a jingle of harness and chain mail, rode toward the setting sun.

*****

"Hildain! Could ya please hurry up?"

"Jes a sec, Duo!"

Duo Maxwell sighed. Never in his life had he met any boy who could take so long bathing, especially in icy river water. He leaned up against a nearby tree, waiting for his friend to emerge so that they could get going again. He, no they, had a long way to go yet. It was really hard thinking of more than himself. A figure came running up to him, dragging his pack on the ground behind. The boy was slight and delicate of build, but Duo knew that his friend was his age, and almost as good a swordsman as he was…even if Duo didn't actually use a sword. He was fast too. Truly, a valuable companion. Yet, he could not resist teasing.

"Ready, boy? Let's go."

The figure snorted, yanking Duo's long, brown braid. "I'll get the horses…old man…" Hilde dissappeared through the trees, berating herself for her foolishness. Just the fact that he still called her boy ment that he hadn't discovered her true identity yet, but it was getting awkward. Very awkward, Hilde thought, looking at her hand trying her best not to think about him. And failing, as usual, she added with a sigh. She reached up to check if her cloth hat was still in place, and shrugged her shoulders, adjusting the wraps she had used to bind her breasts close to her body. Hilde had gone through many pains to disguise herself. She had even cut her midnight hair short. No one asked questions about a lone boy traveling to seek his fortune, right? Being a girl raised too many questions. If she were able to make it to Cinq castle and see Relena, without being caught in her charade, she'd be fine. If she was caught, though…she didn't even want to think of the consiquences. Grabbing the horses' reins, she returned. Duo was still by the tree. He grinned and took his horse, a black stallion named Deathscythe, from her. He strapped his ever-present scythe to the saddle, then mounted up.

"Where are we going, Duo?" Hilde asked as she mounted her chestnut mare, Goshawk.

"To the ruins of Doubury monastery, then to Cinq."

"Doubury? Why?"

He sighed, violet eyes pained. "I grew up there."

The boy actually managed to look surprised! Duo chuckled. He'd forgotten that he hadn't told his companion much about his past. Then the familiar sadness returned, sadness for those lost in the massacre, the only people he regarded as family. He shook his head, remembering clearly the slaughter despite his young age at the time. A sudden attack by scandanavian bandits, people with no loyalties, had attacked the orphanage in the northern moors of England. And the fire…the screams of Father Maxwell and Sister Helen…he'd barely made it out alive as the only survivor. Wouldn't those two be shocked if they found out he was a mercenary now? He visited the monastery once a year, or what was left of it. To remember. "I'll tell you about it on the way. Let's go, before snow sets in." The pair begain to ride north.

*****

Fires lit the Gypsy campsite, illuminating the woods around it for a short distance, a beacon for all seeking rest. The wounded soldier stumbled on toward the flickering light, trying to keep concious. His bloodied sword was clutched in one hand, the other hand was on the sword wound on his shoulder. He emerged from the trees and was able to croak help before he fell to the earth with a rattle of chain mail. People ran from all over the performer's camp to help. The first person to reach him was a young lady, the finest acrobat in the troupe. She knelt beside him, her rich auburn hair tumbling down her shoulders.

"Are you alright…" Her blue eyes quickly took in the damage, and widened at the blood staining his dented armor. "OH my god! You're hurt! How…"

"I…was…attacked by bandits…All the others in the unit were killed." The young man turned an emerald eye to the girl stooping over him. The rest of his face was covered by his brown hair. "Where am I?"

She smiled. "I see you're well enough to ask questions. You are at a gypsy camp, not too far from the Spanish border. My name is Catherine Bloom. What is yours, soldier? I like to put names to faces, or" she amended, "what I can see of yours." Catherine had no idea who this man was, but was driven by an unknown compulsion to help him in any was she could.

A semblance of a smile cracked his sullen demeeanor, but it was a moment before he answered.

"Trowa Barton."

"Well, Trowa, let's see what we can do for your shoulder."

*****

The bright desert sun beat upon the head of a cloaked figure. The figure traveled unerringly up the endless dunes, feet straight upon their path. Soon, the tents of his people came into view, at the exact meeting place they had agreed on nearly a week past.

He smiled. Home, to his people, was anyplace flat enough to pitch a tent. Yet, the familiar sights and sounds and smells made the desert camps more of a home to him than any house. He walked down the dune, through the outer perimeter. No one stopped him, for they knew who he was, and bowed as he passed. He moved through quickly to the tent that was his in the center of the hasty village.

"Rashid! I've returned!"

A tall, muscled man with his hair done in a strange, pointed style entered the main area of the tent from behind the partition that seperated the sleeping area.

"Welcome back, Master Quatre."

The cloak was thrown aside, revealing a young man of about twenty years. His unruly hair was the color of the sun, and eyes the color of deep aqua water shone in a sand-caked, if cheerful, face. Quatre Raberba Winner, leader of his people, laughed aloud.

"'It's dull walking across the desert with no company, Rashid. But, I made it to the fort and back without a hitch."

"All went well at the meeting, then?" Rashid brought a bowl of warm water for washing.

"I have been asked to travel to the Cinq Kingdom as a representative. It seems there is unrest in that country, and their leader would like the opinion of the Maguanacs." Quatre began to wash his face vigorously.

"It is your choice, of course. You know we all support you."

Quatre laughed again. He pointed at the sandy bowl of water. The liquid began to glow white. The water was clean again after the light faded. Rashid looked at Quatre in exasperation.

"Must you show off your Angel Magi powers every chance you get?"

"Not really."

"Then please do not. Magi are not readily accepted on the outside…and if they find out you're Avatar, they will most certainly kill you. I've heard what the religious orders of Europe do to magicians…like burning at the stake."

Quatre nodded solemnly. His guardian certainly knew how to ruin fun.

"I'll be careful. Tell everyone to get ready. We leave at first light."

*****

Sparks flew as the two katana's blades met. The sound of shrieking metal filled the dojo, causing some of the less experienced fighters to cover their ears. The young man faced his opponent. His onyx eyes openly displayed an anger barely held in check. A sneer marred his face as he struggled against the second warriors' sword. His opponent smiled in response to his anger, thinking it was best to finish the fight now before he got any angrier. The warrior crouched suddenly and, with a swift leg kick, sent the dark-haired young man sprawling flat on his face.

A gong sounded.

"The fight is over." The sensei smiled benighnly. "Well done, both of you. It is plain to see that you are not the Dragon Clan's best fighters for nothing."

The young man stood, his fists clenching in white-knuckled fury as he glared at his teacher.

"Master! Why did you force me to fight a woman!?"

His expression turned dour. "To show you that even women can be formidable opponents and should be treated with respect, Wufei Chang." He then turned to the other fighter, who stood to the side. "You have improved, Sally Po. Your parents would have been proud."

Sally lowered her blond head in respect. "Many thanks, Master." She snuck a triumphant look at Wufei.

He merely scoweled in return.

"Stop scowling or your face will stick like that, Wufei."

"SILENCE WOMAN!"

Sally chuckled, then turned to the Master. "You called us here for a reason?"

The teacher nodded in aquiecence. "I wanted to prepare you for what was to come for you two." At the questoning looks, he continued. "I have received word from the Cinq Kingdom. Princess Relena needs our help in defending her country. Her father was a good friend of mine and saved my life more than once during the Shadow War. I was much grieved to hear of his death, yet I owe him my life. I will repay mu debt through his daughter. You two will be my ambassadors, and guests in her house."

"WHAT!!" Wufei was in a rage. "You realy expect me to travel with this…this…"

"Woman." Sally supplied with a smile.

Wufei scowled. It was all he could do. He wasn't ever going to let a stupid onna rule him again. Never again…

Sally's smile faded from her face. She hadn't intended for him to hate her. Traveling with him for weeks was going to be rough, indeed. Yet, a little niggling part of her insisted that his face really was going to stick that way.

"Yes I do…and I expect you to work together on this. This is a time for action, not worthless bickering! Any dishonor you bring on yourselves is dishonor to us all, and that is unacceptable. Now, go prepare yourselves!"

*****

The young woman passed her hand over the viewing crystal she had been holding. Her golden eyes watched the glow fade, thinking of all she had seen. The time had come, just as forseen in the prophecy.

"These are the ones…the ones chosen by he gods…I know it."

She stood and left the chill tower room swiftly, pocketing her crystal. She stopped for a moment in her own room to grab her already packed traveling bag and her weapons of choice: a bow and quiver of arrows, along with an enchanted short sword. Her pale green cloak swirled softly about her feet as she entered the darkness of the outdoor courtyard. The snow never quite went away this high in the mountains of Scotland. Many more moons would go by, both figuratively and actually, before the warm breath of spring would blow across this land again. Yet she probably see spring return to Rathwyte Castle for a long time. This night was bitter cold. Golden brown hair blew behind her on a chilly breeze as she entered the stable. Her horse Hethwyn had already been saddled and supplied by the stable boy that yawned sleepily within.

"Be you leavin' Lady Brynn?

"Aye…I leave for Cinq. Tonight."



Alithiel~ Wooohooo!!! My first evereverever chapter of my first evereverever fanfic is done! *dances around in glee while everyone sweatdrops *

Please send your reviews to me, but keep really hot flames to a minimum. Ok? I hope you've all enjoyed the first installment…I must confess, I'm not sure how all of you are going to receive it…but I hope you receive it well!

Hilde~ What's up with this BOY stuff!? I'd never hide my identity!! 'Specially from Duo-kun!

Alithiel~ Um…cause you had to know Duo ahead of time and female fighters wern't really accepted in the time period I chose and, no offense, butyoudosortalooklikeaboyfromtheback…

*Thump *

Alithiel~ @.@ Ororororororororoooooooo…….

Quatre~ Hilde! Why did you thump Alithiel like that? She's doing the best she can with her brontasaurus computer!

Hilde~ That's no excuse for lack of talent. I do NOT look like a BOY, and do not believe in HIDING MY IDENTITY!

Duo~ That was pretty mean, Hilde-chan!

Wufei~ It is dishonorable to hit a weak woman!

Hilde~ I'M A WOMAN TOO!!!! *starts mumbling to herself *

Duo~ You obviously don't know Alithiel very well if you think she's a weak woman, Wu-wu…

*Thump *

Duo~ @.@ Ooooooooh…looky! Little Deathscythes!!

Wufei~ DON'T CALL ME WU-WU!

Quatre~ Cripes, he's as bad as Hilde…

Relena~ At least she was honest about it…

Hilde~ Do you two want thumped?! *shakes fist *

Brynn~ This is not a thumping party!!

Trowa~ Catherine, I don't think fanning her's gonna help.

Catherine~ I think she's dead…

Quatre~ Alithiel, wake up! There's no time to be dead! You've got a story to write!

Alithiel~ @.@ …

Heero~ If she's dead, we'll just get a new author…

Alithiel~ WHAT?? *eyes open glowing white *

Brynn~ Uhoh…she's glowing again…

Duo~ RUN!

Quatre~ O.o!

*BOOM *

All~ @.@ Ororororororororooooooooo

Alithiel~ Omae o korosu.

Heero~ That's…my…line…