Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Chapter 3: Uncertainty to Unity
Trowa awoke the next day in his little room at the castle. For a moment, his vision was blurry and his groggy mind tried to sort out what happened. He quickly left his bed as soon as he realized what happened the night before. He dressed quickly and rushed down the empty hallway to the parlor where he found a surprise that made his heart leap into his throat. The room was empty, until he heard Quatre's voice from behind the armchair that was facing backwards to him.
"Glad to see that you are awake, Trowa."
"Oh, Quatre," he sighed in relief as he hurried over to the front of the chair, "I guess it was a nightmare, I was so..." Trowa's voice failed him as he looked upon Quatre. Now instead of a little white tom, there sat a young man with white-blonde hair and those same aquamarine eyes.
"Do my eyes deceive me?" Trowa said in disbelief.
"No, you have returned me to normalcy, Trowa," Quatre stood up and was now only inches shorter than the prince, "you have saved me from a curse that turned myself and my court into cats, and changed my countryside into thick bramble forests. You released me from my bondage, and for this, I owe you so very much!" Quatre could not help himself but embrace Trowa warmly from his joy. Trowa returned the embrace equally or even with more energy, finally seeing how Quatre's afflictions could be reasoned. Quatre cling to him a little.
"An old witch punished me out of jealousy for having such a prosperous gathering of kingdoms," Quatre explained, "so we became a race of cats until someone came to break the spell."
"Bow how did I break the spell?" Trowa asked, "I thought I had killed you."
"That does not matter right now," Quatre stammered and pulled away from the lingering embrace, "I must address the problem of your quest." Quatre knew he was just avoiding the question, but he was unsure of what he wanted to say. He explained that all of his sisters were princesses, and that he ruled the kindom because he was the sole male heir. Any one of them was open to Trowa, if he so desired on of the lovely women. Most of them looked very much like their siblings, some with brunette hair, most blonde and fair. Trowa spent three months with the girls, trying to decide. All the while, he noticed that Quatre's behavior was becoming increasingly withdrawn. Aside from planning the daily activities, he was unusually quiet and somber. One day, after relaxing from a hunt in the study, Trowa was determined to discover the secrets plaguing his friend.
"Quatre," he began while cleaning his blade, "you never told me about the curse over your kingdoms."
"Of course I did," Quatre mumbled blankly while thumbing through a large, leather bound volume.
"Yes, you told me about it," Trowa retorted, "but you never explained about all of it." Quatre looked up, his reading glasses slipping down to the bridge of his nose, he seemed to pale slightly.
"I guess I, I," Quatre fumbled for words, "I guess I never have."
"I wish you would tell me, I would like to know. You are my best friend after all." Trowa sheathed his sword and sat near a suddenly bright red Quatre.
"I've been afraid to," Quatre said nervously, "I am afraid you won't believe all of it."
"Of course I will." Trowa smiled gently and placed a hand upon Quatre's shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Quatre drew away from the desk and headed through the study doors, calling back, "but I just can't tell you right now!" Trowa sat for some time at the desk, wondering why Quatre behaved in such a way. In truth, Trowa was beginning to question his own behavior as of late. He spent most of his time with Quatre even though he should have been courting one of the girls. He stayed in the study for quite some time, reading from the same volume that Quatre had been. He tried to get off his mind what he feared to be an unhealthy development.
Quatre was up in his quarters, talking to his elder sister, Miranda, about what he could do.
"I don't know what I am to do," he sighed, "I fear telling him the truth of why he was able to set us all free. He may not believe that I am telling the truth."
"How could he not?" Miranda tried to console her brother, "He shall see that it is true and all will go as you wish!"
"Miranda," Quatre said slowly, "you are the one he feels strongly for. I see him falling deeper for you day by day. He is loving you."
"Only because I am the most like you!" Miranda's voice softened, "You must tell him before you both live a life that you shall regret in lonely solitude." She kissed her brother's forehead and headed for the door. Quatre's heart sank.
"Do not carry this as a heavy burden upon your shoulders," he called, "know that I believe you are right, and I am going to tell him. Also, forgive this siege of your new love, which I know you harbor."
"Quatre," she turned back, "I wish you to know that this love of mine is not as deep as yours. He is not who I am meant for. I only wish for you to pursue this endeavor, as I am only an obstacle in the momentary way. Goodnight, Quatre."
"Goodnight, Miranda." Quatre stretched out on his back as she left. There he lay for some time, contemplating his next move.
Meanwhile, Miranda snuck down to the study where Trowa was beginning to doze off at the desk. He shook himself awake when he heard the door click shut.
"Perhaps you should get some sleep, prince." She giggled.
"I cannot sleep while my thoughts are flying." Trowa feigned a smile. She walked over and sat on the desk to his right.
"You are worried about something."
"Yes, I can't lie about that."
"You are worried about my brother." She said quietly. Trowa blinked himself awake again; he looked at Miranda with a surprised expression.
"What do you mean?"
"It is obvious, my dear prince!" She laughed, "You should go talk to him."
"Right now?"
"Right now!" She laughed again, pulling him up from the chair.
Quatre heard scuffling and laughter in the hallway. Suddenly, Miranda opened the door and let Trowa in.
"Goodnight, you two." And then she shut the door.
"She is going to be the end of me!" Quatre groaned and fell back onto his bed. Trowa laughed a little.
"I think she is just trying to get you and me to talk," Trowa sat on the end of Quatre's bed, which unnerved him greatly, "so, how about we talk?"
"Are you sure that you wouldn't rather sleep?" Quatre bluffed.
"No," Trowa stood his ground, "and I will wait here until you speak, even if I have to stay here for days on end." Quatre thought inwardly that he would not mind that, but dismissed the thought. He felt Trowa moving the rest of his body onto the end of the bed, so he sat up and eyed the prince who was watching him curiously.
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"Everything," Trowa urged, "I want you to tell me everything about the kingdom, you, the curse, and how I ended it." Quatre shifted and sat on his knees.
"I guess I should start from the beginning."
"That would be the best place."
"There was a witch in our kingdom," Quatre began, "by the name of Hazelwood. She had been forever enamored with my father, the previous king. She was, indeed, lovely unto any eye, but she held a vile temper and a cruel nature; my father wanted nothing to do with such a woman."
"So what did he do?"
"Well, it was not really his fault," Quatre remembered, "it was her jealousy that triggered all the things she did to us. My father had a very large court, and many women who bore children to him, thus my many sisters. He was awaiting a male heir, as tradition was. Hazelwood promised to my father that if he were to lay with her and make her queen, she would bare him a son. My father knew better, and married my mother, the love of his life. She had been warned against having children, but she soon became pregnant and gave birth to me. She should have heeded the warnings though, because soon after her labor she died."
"Quatre," Trowa's voice was almost guilty for bringing up the subject, "I'm so sorry."
"It is all right, I loved her dearly even though I never knew her," Quatre smiled, and then continued with his story, "Hazelwood was all too happy to hear about my mother's death, but she was no fool. She waited for years to return to our kingdoms, until I was the age I am now. She returned, trying to win over my father once more, but he was a happy man, and her charms held no sway."
"What did she do about it?"
"She wanted to take away some of his happiness," Quatre recalled bitterly, "so she laid a trap for me to fulfill her wish of killing the male heir. I was to have an accident while out hunting, but through some strange circumstance, it was my father's horse that tripped down the hill. As I watched him fall, I knew he was not going to get back up. I watched my father die by the hand of a bitter, jealous woman." Quatre had anger-ridden tears forming in his eyes. Trowa crawled further up the bed and sat beside Quatre. He extended a friendly arm around Quatre's shoulders, which seemed to comfort him a little.
"You don't have to tell me any more if it pains you so." Trowa smiled sadly.
"No, I need to tell you," Quatre wiped the tears away, "I have the courage to at this moment, and I don't know if I will later. Hazelwood knew that she had made a grave error, and that she could be ruined or killed in an instant. When my men and I confronted her, ready to kill her, she cursed us, and my father's lands. We became a race of cats, and the once fruitful lands became brambles and wastelands. She only got away for a few weeks before we tracked her down and destroyed her, but the harm had been done."
"So what was included in the curse she levied?" Trowa asked, "What was to happen, how could you break it?"
"I don't think you would believe me if I told you." Quatre laughed, cursing to himself. Trowa leaned in and rested his forehead against Quatre's, his arm still around his shoulders. He smiled gently, and almost laughed at the heat radiating from Quatre's flushed face.
"Quatre," Trowa closed his eyes, "it was you who implored my trust, my loyalty, before. They are here for you still! So tell me Quatre, I am not afraid of the truth." Quatre felt his breath slipping from his chest, being so close to this beautiful prince. He suddenly grasped onto Trowa's free hand.
"The truth is," he stammered, "that the curse would only be broken by someone who could love me beyond all others, yet trust my word enough to cut off my head." Quatre's quick explanation left Trowa a little speechless. He tried to reply, but the words betrayed him. Quatre removed himself from Trowa's grip, and stood up nervously.
"I had a feeling this would not work, how could it be true?" Quatre rambled frivolously before Trowa leapt up and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Quatre, why didn't you tell me before?"
"I don't know, honestly," he fumbled, "I was so afraid that you would not feel the same. Sure, I am free from the curse, but it means nothing without-"
"Without what?"
"Without getting to see you everyday," Quatre seemed so tired and so relieved to get all of his feelings out, "not being able to talk with you, or have anyone to be open with. I would just die if you weren't here." Trowa pulled Quatre into a warm embrace.
"No need to worry about that," he purred quietly into Quatre's ear, "I would never dream of leaving you, although my father may find this a little hard to believe." Quatre nearly jumped at the words.
"Do you mean it?"
"Of course I do." Trowa looked into those aquamarine eyes and knew at once that he was Quatre's from that day forth. Quatre did not expect the kiss that followed, or spending the night talking and then falling asleep in Trowa's arms. Miranda opened Quatre's chamber doors the next morning to see the two of them lying on the bed, clothed, but hopelessly entangled with one another. She smiled at her little matchmaking act, and then shut the door to leave them be.
Miranda found Quatre later that day, and she threw her arms around him in an enthusiastic embrace. Quatre had returned to the happy man that he used to be before his father's death.
"So, have you set a date?" she asked with a cheeky grin.
"Set a date?"
"For your wedding?"
"Miranda!" Quatre flushed crimson, "I have not even met his father yet!"
"I am just teasing!" She smirked as she noticed Trowa approach them, "Should I ask his opinion?"
"No!" Quatre flashed her an annoyed look.
"Opinion on what?" Trowa asked.
"Nothing," Miranda went back inside the main hallway to leave, "just my curiosity." Trowa looked to Quatre, who was just shaking his head.
The next few months allowed Quatre's six kingdoms to rebuild and connect with the world once more. Quatre and Trowa also had a chance to develop their relationship. The day came for their trip back to see King Howard. Trowa had time enough to be sure that Quatre was ready to go. His court disguised Quatre as the same white tom that Trowa had first met three years prior.
"This ought to give them a surprise." Quatre purred. The trip took only eight hours in a horse-drawn carriage. Heero and Treize had already arrived, and their courts were busily gossiping about whom their masters had fallen in love with. Trowa held Quatre in his crooked arm as he headed past all of the servants and knights into the castle. He saw Treize first; a lovely woman with chestnut-brown hair was on his arm. He smiled at them, but before he could go and greet them, Heero came into the room followed closely by a young man of the same age with very long, dark-brown braided hair. Trowa looked over at Treize, who merely gave him a knowing glance. Trowa could barely contain his astonishment.
"Trowa," Treize walked over with his lady in hand, "let me introduce the Lady Une, soon to be my wife."
"'Tis a pleasure." Trowa knelt and kissed her hand, careful to not drop Quatre. The Lady Une smiled and curtsied, a truly beautiful woman.
"Duo," Heero addressed the man at his side, "this is my younger brother, Trowa."
"Very nice to meet you, Trowa." Duo had a wonderful smile. They shook hands in greeting.
"So, where is your love, Prince?" he heard the Lady Une ask gently.
"They shall be here soon, not to worry." No sooner had he said it, a page entered the room to summon them to the King. Howard was worried about how he was going to keep his kingdom this time, and he was not in a good mood. He greeted his sons kindly, despite his low feelings.
"It is good to see you all safe," he said, "now, introduce me to your ladies." Trowa looked at Heero worriedly, by Heero looked calm, and so did Duo. Treize introduced the Lady Une first, and King Howard seemed quite charmed with her. Heero introduced Duo next, and Howard was a little more than surprised, but he loved his sons very much despite his behavior, and he would accept them no matter what. Trowa breathed a sigh of relief, and he heard his father's voice call to him.
"And where is your love, Trowa," he asked, and then laughed, "don't tell me it is that white cat you hold?"
"I hold here," Trowa knelt and explained, "a white tom of the most gentle manner. His paws are so soft, and his voice so light, that I am sure you will be charmed with him." Just as Howard reached to touch the tom, it hopped out of Trowa's arms, bursting into a flash of glittering blue. When the light dimmed, Quatre stood before him in kingly array.
"Good King Howard," Quatre acknowledged him, "my name is Quatre, and I rule several kingdoms of the east. I come to ask why you have denied your throne to your son, Trowa, who has fairly won it twicefold."
"I didn't think my sons were ready to rule." King Howard fumbled. Quatre understood in an instant what Trowa had seen.
"Do not worry King," he nodded, "I have not come to steal your kingdom, which you rule so well. I am here on the behalf of my love, your son, Trowa. I offer to each of your sons a kingdom of my six for them to rule so that you may keep your own. All I ask for is your blessing for Trowa and I." Quatre was so stately that Trowa was taken back a little. King Howard could not help but agree, and he and Trowa were married a short time later among family and friends from every kingdom.
End Notes:
I hope it is better to understand in places since I got rid of the typos!
So, how was it, did you all like it? This was one of my favorite stories to write, although it gave me some trouble sometimes, that is mainly why it took so long to update. Thank you to my reviewers, it really means something when people comment, it makes one want to write a lot more!
I am not sure if I should leave this as it is though, it could be carried on into a completely original bit, but I am not sure. Any ideas? Should I? Ahh well, I hope you enjoyed this story, because I loved writing it!
Chapter 3: Uncertainty to Unity
Trowa awoke the next day in his little room at the castle. For a moment, his vision was blurry and his groggy mind tried to sort out what happened. He quickly left his bed as soon as he realized what happened the night before. He dressed quickly and rushed down the empty hallway to the parlor where he found a surprise that made his heart leap into his throat. The room was empty, until he heard Quatre's voice from behind the armchair that was facing backwards to him.
"Glad to see that you are awake, Trowa."
"Oh, Quatre," he sighed in relief as he hurried over to the front of the chair, "I guess it was a nightmare, I was so..." Trowa's voice failed him as he looked upon Quatre. Now instead of a little white tom, there sat a young man with white-blonde hair and those same aquamarine eyes.
"Do my eyes deceive me?" Trowa said in disbelief.
"No, you have returned me to normalcy, Trowa," Quatre stood up and was now only inches shorter than the prince, "you have saved me from a curse that turned myself and my court into cats, and changed my countryside into thick bramble forests. You released me from my bondage, and for this, I owe you so very much!" Quatre could not help himself but embrace Trowa warmly from his joy. Trowa returned the embrace equally or even with more energy, finally seeing how Quatre's afflictions could be reasoned. Quatre cling to him a little.
"An old witch punished me out of jealousy for having such a prosperous gathering of kingdoms," Quatre explained, "so we became a race of cats until someone came to break the spell."
"Bow how did I break the spell?" Trowa asked, "I thought I had killed you."
"That does not matter right now," Quatre stammered and pulled away from the lingering embrace, "I must address the problem of your quest." Quatre knew he was just avoiding the question, but he was unsure of what he wanted to say. He explained that all of his sisters were princesses, and that he ruled the kindom because he was the sole male heir. Any one of them was open to Trowa, if he so desired on of the lovely women. Most of them looked very much like their siblings, some with brunette hair, most blonde and fair. Trowa spent three months with the girls, trying to decide. All the while, he noticed that Quatre's behavior was becoming increasingly withdrawn. Aside from planning the daily activities, he was unusually quiet and somber. One day, after relaxing from a hunt in the study, Trowa was determined to discover the secrets plaguing his friend.
"Quatre," he began while cleaning his blade, "you never told me about the curse over your kingdoms."
"Of course I did," Quatre mumbled blankly while thumbing through a large, leather bound volume.
"Yes, you told me about it," Trowa retorted, "but you never explained about all of it." Quatre looked up, his reading glasses slipping down to the bridge of his nose, he seemed to pale slightly.
"I guess I, I," Quatre fumbled for words, "I guess I never have."
"I wish you would tell me, I would like to know. You are my best friend after all." Trowa sheathed his sword and sat near a suddenly bright red Quatre.
"I've been afraid to," Quatre said nervously, "I am afraid you won't believe all of it."
"Of course I will." Trowa smiled gently and placed a hand upon Quatre's shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Quatre drew away from the desk and headed through the study doors, calling back, "but I just can't tell you right now!" Trowa sat for some time at the desk, wondering why Quatre behaved in such a way. In truth, Trowa was beginning to question his own behavior as of late. He spent most of his time with Quatre even though he should have been courting one of the girls. He stayed in the study for quite some time, reading from the same volume that Quatre had been. He tried to get off his mind what he feared to be an unhealthy development.
Quatre was up in his quarters, talking to his elder sister, Miranda, about what he could do.
"I don't know what I am to do," he sighed, "I fear telling him the truth of why he was able to set us all free. He may not believe that I am telling the truth."
"How could he not?" Miranda tried to console her brother, "He shall see that it is true and all will go as you wish!"
"Miranda," Quatre said slowly, "you are the one he feels strongly for. I see him falling deeper for you day by day. He is loving you."
"Only because I am the most like you!" Miranda's voice softened, "You must tell him before you both live a life that you shall regret in lonely solitude." She kissed her brother's forehead and headed for the door. Quatre's heart sank.
"Do not carry this as a heavy burden upon your shoulders," he called, "know that I believe you are right, and I am going to tell him. Also, forgive this siege of your new love, which I know you harbor."
"Quatre," she turned back, "I wish you to know that this love of mine is not as deep as yours. He is not who I am meant for. I only wish for you to pursue this endeavor, as I am only an obstacle in the momentary way. Goodnight, Quatre."
"Goodnight, Miranda." Quatre stretched out on his back as she left. There he lay for some time, contemplating his next move.
Meanwhile, Miranda snuck down to the study where Trowa was beginning to doze off at the desk. He shook himself awake when he heard the door click shut.
"Perhaps you should get some sleep, prince." She giggled.
"I cannot sleep while my thoughts are flying." Trowa feigned a smile. She walked over and sat on the desk to his right.
"You are worried about something."
"Yes, I can't lie about that."
"You are worried about my brother." She said quietly. Trowa blinked himself awake again; he looked at Miranda with a surprised expression.
"What do you mean?"
"It is obvious, my dear prince!" She laughed, "You should go talk to him."
"Right now?"
"Right now!" She laughed again, pulling him up from the chair.
Quatre heard scuffling and laughter in the hallway. Suddenly, Miranda opened the door and let Trowa in.
"Goodnight, you two." And then she shut the door.
"She is going to be the end of me!" Quatre groaned and fell back onto his bed. Trowa laughed a little.
"I think she is just trying to get you and me to talk," Trowa sat on the end of Quatre's bed, which unnerved him greatly, "so, how about we talk?"
"Are you sure that you wouldn't rather sleep?" Quatre bluffed.
"No," Trowa stood his ground, "and I will wait here until you speak, even if I have to stay here for days on end." Quatre thought inwardly that he would not mind that, but dismissed the thought. He felt Trowa moving the rest of his body onto the end of the bed, so he sat up and eyed the prince who was watching him curiously.
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"Everything," Trowa urged, "I want you to tell me everything about the kingdom, you, the curse, and how I ended it." Quatre shifted and sat on his knees.
"I guess I should start from the beginning."
"That would be the best place."
"There was a witch in our kingdom," Quatre began, "by the name of Hazelwood. She had been forever enamored with my father, the previous king. She was, indeed, lovely unto any eye, but she held a vile temper and a cruel nature; my father wanted nothing to do with such a woman."
"So what did he do?"
"Well, it was not really his fault," Quatre remembered, "it was her jealousy that triggered all the things she did to us. My father had a very large court, and many women who bore children to him, thus my many sisters. He was awaiting a male heir, as tradition was. Hazelwood promised to my father that if he were to lay with her and make her queen, she would bare him a son. My father knew better, and married my mother, the love of his life. She had been warned against having children, but she soon became pregnant and gave birth to me. She should have heeded the warnings though, because soon after her labor she died."
"Quatre," Trowa's voice was almost guilty for bringing up the subject, "I'm so sorry."
"It is all right, I loved her dearly even though I never knew her," Quatre smiled, and then continued with his story, "Hazelwood was all too happy to hear about my mother's death, but she was no fool. She waited for years to return to our kingdoms, until I was the age I am now. She returned, trying to win over my father once more, but he was a happy man, and her charms held no sway."
"What did she do about it?"
"She wanted to take away some of his happiness," Quatre recalled bitterly, "so she laid a trap for me to fulfill her wish of killing the male heir. I was to have an accident while out hunting, but through some strange circumstance, it was my father's horse that tripped down the hill. As I watched him fall, I knew he was not going to get back up. I watched my father die by the hand of a bitter, jealous woman." Quatre had anger-ridden tears forming in his eyes. Trowa crawled further up the bed and sat beside Quatre. He extended a friendly arm around Quatre's shoulders, which seemed to comfort him a little.
"You don't have to tell me any more if it pains you so." Trowa smiled sadly.
"No, I need to tell you," Quatre wiped the tears away, "I have the courage to at this moment, and I don't know if I will later. Hazelwood knew that she had made a grave error, and that she could be ruined or killed in an instant. When my men and I confronted her, ready to kill her, she cursed us, and my father's lands. We became a race of cats, and the once fruitful lands became brambles and wastelands. She only got away for a few weeks before we tracked her down and destroyed her, but the harm had been done."
"So what was included in the curse she levied?" Trowa asked, "What was to happen, how could you break it?"
"I don't think you would believe me if I told you." Quatre laughed, cursing to himself. Trowa leaned in and rested his forehead against Quatre's, his arm still around his shoulders. He smiled gently, and almost laughed at the heat radiating from Quatre's flushed face.
"Quatre," Trowa closed his eyes, "it was you who implored my trust, my loyalty, before. They are here for you still! So tell me Quatre, I am not afraid of the truth." Quatre felt his breath slipping from his chest, being so close to this beautiful prince. He suddenly grasped onto Trowa's free hand.
"The truth is," he stammered, "that the curse would only be broken by someone who could love me beyond all others, yet trust my word enough to cut off my head." Quatre's quick explanation left Trowa a little speechless. He tried to reply, but the words betrayed him. Quatre removed himself from Trowa's grip, and stood up nervously.
"I had a feeling this would not work, how could it be true?" Quatre rambled frivolously before Trowa leapt up and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Quatre, why didn't you tell me before?"
"I don't know, honestly," he fumbled, "I was so afraid that you would not feel the same. Sure, I am free from the curse, but it means nothing without-"
"Without what?"
"Without getting to see you everyday," Quatre seemed so tired and so relieved to get all of his feelings out, "not being able to talk with you, or have anyone to be open with. I would just die if you weren't here." Trowa pulled Quatre into a warm embrace.
"No need to worry about that," he purred quietly into Quatre's ear, "I would never dream of leaving you, although my father may find this a little hard to believe." Quatre nearly jumped at the words.
"Do you mean it?"
"Of course I do." Trowa looked into those aquamarine eyes and knew at once that he was Quatre's from that day forth. Quatre did not expect the kiss that followed, or spending the night talking and then falling asleep in Trowa's arms. Miranda opened Quatre's chamber doors the next morning to see the two of them lying on the bed, clothed, but hopelessly entangled with one another. She smiled at her little matchmaking act, and then shut the door to leave them be.
Miranda found Quatre later that day, and she threw her arms around him in an enthusiastic embrace. Quatre had returned to the happy man that he used to be before his father's death.
"So, have you set a date?" she asked with a cheeky grin.
"Set a date?"
"For your wedding?"
"Miranda!" Quatre flushed crimson, "I have not even met his father yet!"
"I am just teasing!" She smirked as she noticed Trowa approach them, "Should I ask his opinion?"
"No!" Quatre flashed her an annoyed look.
"Opinion on what?" Trowa asked.
"Nothing," Miranda went back inside the main hallway to leave, "just my curiosity." Trowa looked to Quatre, who was just shaking his head.
The next few months allowed Quatre's six kingdoms to rebuild and connect with the world once more. Quatre and Trowa also had a chance to develop their relationship. The day came for their trip back to see King Howard. Trowa had time enough to be sure that Quatre was ready to go. His court disguised Quatre as the same white tom that Trowa had first met three years prior.
"This ought to give them a surprise." Quatre purred. The trip took only eight hours in a horse-drawn carriage. Heero and Treize had already arrived, and their courts were busily gossiping about whom their masters had fallen in love with. Trowa held Quatre in his crooked arm as he headed past all of the servants and knights into the castle. He saw Treize first; a lovely woman with chestnut-brown hair was on his arm. He smiled at them, but before he could go and greet them, Heero came into the room followed closely by a young man of the same age with very long, dark-brown braided hair. Trowa looked over at Treize, who merely gave him a knowing glance. Trowa could barely contain his astonishment.
"Trowa," Treize walked over with his lady in hand, "let me introduce the Lady Une, soon to be my wife."
"'Tis a pleasure." Trowa knelt and kissed her hand, careful to not drop Quatre. The Lady Une smiled and curtsied, a truly beautiful woman.
"Duo," Heero addressed the man at his side, "this is my younger brother, Trowa."
"Very nice to meet you, Trowa." Duo had a wonderful smile. They shook hands in greeting.
"So, where is your love, Prince?" he heard the Lady Une ask gently.
"They shall be here soon, not to worry." No sooner had he said it, a page entered the room to summon them to the King. Howard was worried about how he was going to keep his kingdom this time, and he was not in a good mood. He greeted his sons kindly, despite his low feelings.
"It is good to see you all safe," he said, "now, introduce me to your ladies." Trowa looked at Heero worriedly, by Heero looked calm, and so did Duo. Treize introduced the Lady Une first, and King Howard seemed quite charmed with her. Heero introduced Duo next, and Howard was a little more than surprised, but he loved his sons very much despite his behavior, and he would accept them no matter what. Trowa breathed a sigh of relief, and he heard his father's voice call to him.
"And where is your love, Trowa," he asked, and then laughed, "don't tell me it is that white cat you hold?"
"I hold here," Trowa knelt and explained, "a white tom of the most gentle manner. His paws are so soft, and his voice so light, that I am sure you will be charmed with him." Just as Howard reached to touch the tom, it hopped out of Trowa's arms, bursting into a flash of glittering blue. When the light dimmed, Quatre stood before him in kingly array.
"Good King Howard," Quatre acknowledged him, "my name is Quatre, and I rule several kingdoms of the east. I come to ask why you have denied your throne to your son, Trowa, who has fairly won it twicefold."
"I didn't think my sons were ready to rule." King Howard fumbled. Quatre understood in an instant what Trowa had seen.
"Do not worry King," he nodded, "I have not come to steal your kingdom, which you rule so well. I am here on the behalf of my love, your son, Trowa. I offer to each of your sons a kingdom of my six for them to rule so that you may keep your own. All I ask for is your blessing for Trowa and I." Quatre was so stately that Trowa was taken back a little. King Howard could not help but agree, and he and Trowa were married a short time later among family and friends from every kingdom.
End Notes:
I hope it is better to understand in places since I got rid of the typos!
So, how was it, did you all like it? This was one of my favorite stories to write, although it gave me some trouble sometimes, that is mainly why it took so long to update. Thank you to my reviewers, it really means something when people comment, it makes one want to write a lot more!
I am not sure if I should leave this as it is though, it could be carried on into a completely original bit, but I am not sure. Any ideas? Should I? Ahh well, I hope you enjoyed this story, because I loved writing it!