Maybe some of you readers are confused with all the time that passed and
all so here is a little something to help you out.
First day: Duo spends the night in the Old Forest
Second day: Duo arrives at the Shire Heero arrives in Rivendel at night
Third day: Legolas leaves the Shire
Eight day (first day of the second week): Duo wakes up in Bag End
Tenth day (third day of the second week): Legolas arrives at Rivendel
Eleventh day (fourth day of the second week): Legolas leaves Rivendel
Eighteenth day (fourth day of the third week): Legolas arrives at the Shire
Twenty-first day (seventh day of the third week): Duo leaves the Shire
Twenty-fourth day (third day of the fourth week): Duo gets shot
Twenty-eight day (first day of the fifth week): Wufei arrives in Fangorn
Okay, maybe it didn't help that much but let me explain. First, the way Duo and the others count the weeks isn't with Monday, Tuesday, etc. A seven-day pattern is a week. Duo starts counting the days when he wakes up, that's why when he says 'a week' it's really been two weeks. I made the others work on the same pattern. About Wufei, Quatre says it's been three weeks, which means they started the fourth week. Duo is going to get to Rivendel (yes he is but I won't say how ^^) in the first day of the fifth week. That means exactly when Wufei gets in Fangorn. I'm writing his story in advance.
Now, I hope it cleared the lost ones. If you have questions, put them in your review.
Warnings: No Quatre and Trowa story in this chapter. I have enough of Duo's, Heero's and Wufei's to worry about right now thank you very much. YAOI!!!!! Yes, I have finally decided to put up some yaoi. 1x2 basically. I had a too golden occasion and couldn't resist taking it. Anyway, I'm a fan of 1x2 and can't really write a good story without some. Sorry for those who hate it!
To Moonlightchic: I already have a beta reader and it's enough for me. Don't get mad, I'm really glad you asked!
To Katie: Thanks a lot for reviewing every chapter from the first one, I really appreciate it! It means a lot to me you know? Helps me to keep on going, even though it means staying up until 1a.m. Thanks, Arigato, Gracias, Merci, Gracies! (I can't say it in enough languages!^^)
Chapter 4:
A small groan escaped Duo's lips as he awakened to pain. His side burned like hell and his head wouldn't stop spinning. He slowly opened his eyes to a doubled star filled sky. When his sight straightened, he leaned on his elbows and sat up. A flaming pain reminded him of his present condition so he lay down again.
" You're awake! We were sacred for a moment. Thank God. You must rest. You've been hurt pretty bad." Said a familiar little voice.
" I'm not really sleepy. Only stiff and well, hurting." Replied Duo, trying to sit up again.
" Calm down Duo!" cried Legolas. " You don't want to reopen that wound of yours. It's already a miracle that it's healing that fast. I have never seen such recovery power." He added, putting a gentle but firm hand on the braided boy's shoulder to force him back down.
Duo pushed him off and forced himself up.
" I know someone who can set his own broken leg." He answered to deviate the subject away from his recovery power, which meant his training.
" How long have I slept?" he asked afterwards.
" Only four hours. I have known grown people who have slept for more than a day with an injury like that. You are a surprising fellow." Answered Legolas.
" Did you pull the arrow out yourself?" Asked Foldir, holding up the still bloodied arrow.
" Guess so. Couldn't have beaten that guy with it sticking inside me." Said Duo casually.
" I do not want to disappoint you but I doubt that you could have killed the man." Countered Hagen.
Duo shrugged. He chose not to pursue the subject. It was dangerously close to what a gun was. He didn't feel like explaining the simple fact of what an explosion could do except blow up everything.
" When are we leaving?" he asked to change the subject.
"When you are feeling apt to travel again. Make it as fast as possible, our food supplies won't last forever." Answered Legolas.
" Tomorrow'll be fine if I have my beauty sleep." Said Duo lying down and instantly falling asleep.
Sam went to sleep too but the Elves stayed a little longer, talking in their beautiful language about Duo's mysterious person. They doubted strongly that the fact that he healed that fast could be entirely attributed to his vitality. They knew their enemies. They were reputed to use biological weapons and poisons known to no one. But still, if it were a poison, wouldn't it be suppose to kill the braided boy instead of healing him? They also had to find out who injured him. The attackers were clever. They used plain weapons so that they couldn't be identified. It had been a serious problem all over Middle Earth. People kept being killed or seriously hurt, no one had been slightly injured, with so ordinary weapons that any smith could have been blamed. Criminals used that opportunity to perpetuate murders everywhere. Middle Earth was sinking back in misery.
*****
Next morning, Duo was unbelievingly the first one awake. Sam had fallen asleep while he was keeping watch and Duo's horse had decided that he needed some attention and was nudging the braided boy with his nose.
With a grunt, the American got up. He was feeling a bit better. If it weren't for the horses, he wouldn't be able to travel at all.
" Say, when you want attention you'd do anything to get it wouldn't you?" whispered Duo at the stallion.
The boy got up and, leading the black stallion, walked away to be out of earshot and started taking care of the animal the best he could with his injury. It actually was much better than only a few hours before.
" You know, I'm surprised that I can heal that fast! Even Heero can't recover this fast. One point for me. Can you believe it; I've beaten the Perfect Soldier in something. Wait you don't know who he is. He's one of my friends, the best I think. I'm not sure if he thinks the same but I do. Anyways, it's a wonder that I can say that. You know, he's called Heero Yuy but I think he should change it for Heero-the-almighty-block-of-ice-Yuy, it fits his personality best. I'm not joking, if that guy has feelings, I'm Santa Clause, really! He got that training from J when he was young that transformed him into a war machine. I pity him sometimes. Must have been hard."
And there he was, detailing every single thing he knew about Heero. The horse only stared at him with what appeared to be a questioning look.
" Hey! Come to think of it, I haven't given you a name yet! Let's see. I want to call you Deathscythe but my Gundam's already called that. It would get confusing. Lemme think. You're all black and your mane is all red, like blood. I know! You're Shinigami the God of Death. I call myself like that too but I'm the only one who those so it won't be too confusing. Anyway, the only ones who might want to remember it are all dead. You know, when I become Shinigami, it's to kill. I'm not proud of it but I don't have a damn choice. If I give up fighting, the colonies are going to be in deep shit and I really don't want that. That's why my Gundam and me are fighting. To defeat OZ."
It was Deathscythe's turn to be talked about. Duo also told Shinigami about the war and what caused it.
" You know, I don't think I could have done all that alone. I've got people helping me. Heero, of course, but also Trowa, Quatre and Wufei. They are very different from one another. Trowa isn't as cold as Heero but is still very antisocial. He never speaks, unless it's to give an instruction or his opinion. Wait, scratch that. We have to guess what he thinks half of the time. But it gives me a challenge. He's the only I didn't manage to really annoy, whatever I did. All the other gave me at least a look, but no, not him. I get tired before he his and that's something. Wufei can tell you more about that. It's so funny to see him really mad! He's always so stiff and silent, as if he's pissed off twenty-four hours a day, that it's worth all the money in the world to see him, yelling and menacing me with his katana. I don't know why he's like that but he's another silent one. At least he answers when I insult him! Of course, I never get hurt; Quatre is always there to prevent him from jumping on me. He's the mother-type one. Always worrying, as if everything was his fault. I guess that the way he was raised didn't help. He's got a very noble upbringing so he was taught to be very polite and gentle and all. The perfect gentleman. He's maybe a little bit young to be one. What's weird is that even though, like me, he's open, he's not my best friend. Maybe he's a little bit too much mother like. I've never known my mother. My father either. I've been an orphan since I can last remember. Well, not really. When Father Maxwell and Sister Helen adopted me in the church, I guess I had a family then. Sister Helen is the one who first braided my hair. I've never placed them in any other way afterwards. I don't have anything else to remind me of them since that.day."
Duo fell silent. He couldn't continue his incessant babbling anymore. His voice took a more serious tone, covered by grief.
" That day, I came back to find the remains of the church on fire. Everything was destroyed. Nobody who was in it survived, no one. I found Sister Helen barely breathing. She.she just had time to give me this cross before dying."
Duo took out the small golden pendant and stared at it.
" I started to cry but she made me promise to never cry anymore. I was young and since that day, I've never shed a tear. Never. I am still mourning over them but I keep my promise."
The American fell under the force of his desperation. The weight accumulating every day finally got the best of him. Remembering his past didn't help. He fell on his knees under the enormity of the events. His past, how he had gotten to this foreign place, how he felt alone and lost, everything. Shinigami, feeling his despair lowered his head for Duo to grab. The boy placed his forehead against the horse, eyes shut tight.
" It's hard not to cry." He whispered in a barely audible voice.
Legolas turned over and stared at Duo. The boy didn't know that Elves had a hearing more developed than humans so had misjudged his distant. Legolas had heard every single word he had spoken and at first had been angry at his lack of cooperation towards them and not toward the horse but it soon changed to pity and sadness. From what the boy had said, he was leading a hard life at his young age and had had a traumatizing past. The Elf admired him for everything he must have endured in his life without crying. Nothing could compare to it. Legolas closed his eyes and mentally tried to comfort him. It really was the best he could do in the face of such a situation.
******
That day of travel went as fast as one could think and without trouble. Everything was perfect and they took it easy. The fifth day was something more of a challenge, at least for Duo. Even though his wound was now completely healed, it started to sting until it drove him mad; he had a bad fever and a migraine that could kill. Of course, he pretended like everything was right; he didn't want to make his friends worry for nothing. It was probably only a feedback from the injury and would go away soon. He was totally wrong. Next day had been the worst ever. First, he felt like ripping off his head because of the pain. Even the faint whistle of wind made him flinch. Secondly, he was sweating pretty badly because of his fever. The others had noticed that but he put it on the count of the blazing sun. Thirdly, his scar hurt like hell. It seemed to burn from inside. Each time his heart pounded, a shot of flaming pain bursted under his wound and would send small painful waves throughout his body. Lastly, they had been attacked.
They were making their horses trot rapidly down the last bit of road before Rivendel, which was, of course, the most dangerous one. It was tightly surrounded by trees and, more than often, they had to make themselves a path.
Everybody leaded his horse in silence round a huge oak tree, which had fallen in the middle of the road. Once pass it, they found another, bigger one blocking the way. Unfortunately for them, the only way pass was to go down the small cliff at the right and go up again. It would be one though trip if they considered the horses. After a few minutes of turning in circles in search of another way, the unmounted, took the horses by their bridle and went for the cliff.
Legolas, being the first one attempting the trip, heard the arrow whistling through the leaves and was able to avoid it.
"Back up! It's an ambush!" he yelled at the others, jumping on his mount.
The others did the same and backed up. Just in time. Dozen of arrows started raining just were they had been mere seconds before. Legolas came to Duo and took a long parcel from his pack.
" Here. I hope you know how to use it."
He didn't have time to finish as at least twenty men came up the slope. They were clad in old, battered clothes and showed old, rusted swords. Duo gulped. He knew nothing of swordsmanship. It was one of those rare occasions when he wished Wufei were there. Still, he took his weapon, unsheathed and did a few technical swings, just to get the feeling of it. Maybe that's what saved his life because one man attacked him but was countered by the boy's unconscious blocking manoeuvre. He had to improvise others like that as his assailant's attacks never stopped. Suddenly, the man slid in the mud and lost his balance for one second. One too many. Duo, using the overture, cut the man's throat with a wide arc of his blade. Another one came to take the fallen one's place. This time, the American would have lost if it hadn't been for Legolas. He came up in the neck of time and killed the poor bastard but was separated from Duo once again. This time, nobody would have been able to save him. Being completely pissed off by the thieves attacking them and feeling his strength leaving with his every breath, he took out his gun and shot the closest one. The shooting sound surprised about everyone and they all froze.
" I see one move and I kill him, understood?" menaced Duo in a low voice.
The thieves looked at each other, not certain on what to do. Finally one put an uneasy step forward only to fall dead, a bullet in the head.
" You are all going to run away real fast if you don't want to suffer the same fate." He said afterwards in an even more menacing voice.
They didn't need to be told a second time. Afraid of the new and unknown weapon, they fled as fast as they could. The three elves and the hobbit looked at him in disbelief, not understanding more than the criminals. Before they could pronounce a word, Duo fell onto Shinigami's back, unconscious. The events had made his heartbeat accelerate, speeding the venom's propagation in the process. Not waiting a second, Legolas dropped to the ground and lead the black stallion down the slope as fast as possible. He needed to bring the boy to Rivendel in the shortest delay possible.
*****
It was late evening and the group Duo was with still hadn't arrived. Heero was starting to worry about them. Especially Duo. He had been told that it would take about a week if all went well and today was the last day of that week. Staying near the stairs, the only way in, he waited patiently for them to arrive.
His heart jumped in his chest when he heard fast horses coming. Finally they were here. He stopped at the bottom of the staircase and looked up only to feel his heart squeeze. Coming down the slope made for animals just beside the stairs was a black stallion leaded by an elf on a white horse. Across the saddle of the black animal was a braided boy, obviously unconscious, his head swaying right and left with the pace of the mount.
It took all the Perfect Soldier's efforts to stay put and not run to them. He didn't know why but since the American had disappeared, Heero had been constantly stressed and restless. Now that he seeing him like that, he felt even more agitated than before and nearly couldn't contain his agitation.
"Master Yuy!"
Heero looked up at the one who had called him. After having spent some time in Rivendel, he had gotten used to the way the called him.
Legolas came rapidly down only to stop briefly beside the Japanese boy.
" Please, go tell the King to prepare to receive someone at Elrond's House that will need immediate care. Run quickly."
Heero didn't need to be told twice. He turned heels and sprinted as fast as he could to the said house. He found Aragorn in the Fire Room, discussing business matters with other elves but didn't give a damn about interrupting. It took some time before the King trusted him but the arrangements were made and finished when Duo arrived, transported by four strong elves.
"What is his problem?" asked Aragorn in elvish.
" Poison." Simply replied Legolas.
" What sort?" demanded next the King.
Legolas explained to him all the boy's symptoms in details. Strangely, it made Aragorn smile.
" I will take care of this myself. The poison I think it is was used a lot in Gondor." He said lightly.
Heero, who was following from behind, didn't like the sound of their conversation and the smile Aragorn had shown but still, he said nothing and followed. He couldn't do anything anyway.
Once in the room, Aragorn asked everyone to leave but Heero insisted so much that he finally gave in. The Perfect Soldier sat in beside the bed and watched carefully the King every, single move.
First, he put a cold, wet towel on his forehead to help get the fever down. Secondly, and much to Heero's horror, he took a knife and carefully cut the wound open again. A fresh flow of blood poured but not enough to be too dangerous. After making water boil, he threw a few leaves inside the liquid and waited a few minutes to be sure that they would have had their virtue working. He took the potion and dropped a few drops inside the wound. Then, he humidified a bandage with the concoction and tied it around the injury. Heero fought really hard not to rip Aragorn's head when he heard Duo moaning in his sleep because of the pain of the bandage on his infected skin but it soon died away. Finally, the King made the boy drink the entire remaining potion. It had an almost instant effect. The American's breathing became less laboured and he seemed to have a more easy sleep.
"What was wrong with him?" finally asked Heero when he saw that Aragorn was definitely finished.
" Poison. It is very popular in Gondor. It helps the wound heal and when it has totally recovered, starts acting. This way, you can't cure it without reopening the wound, which is very dangerous. Unfortunately, you absolutely have to disinfect the injury since it's the heart of the problem. Also, the plant, which neutralizes the venom, is only found here, in these woods. Basically, your friend was very lucky to found himself here. Another day or two and his heart would have given under the pressure." Answered the King while leaving.
Heero said nothing but stared at Duo's now peaceful sleeping face. His bangs flew gently over his head with each breath taken, making him look adorably cute. The Japanese boy gently brushed his hand against the slumbering boy's cheek and sighted, feeling relieved. He took his hand that lay dangling over the bed and squeezed it gently. Duo mumbled something and turned on his side toward Heero but made no gesture of trying to release himself from the grip. The Perfect Soldier allowed a smile to cross his face and, deciding to stop being stoic and emotionless, played into the braided boy's hair while humming a tune in his warm voice, always smiling.
********
Wufei started, totally shocked, at the twelve foot giant tree who had picked him up. It definitely was a tree but he had eyes and the moss covering his body seemed more like a beard than anything else.
"Hum, hom. I have never seen the likes of you before. You look like a man but I have seen a lot of them and they resemble you in nothing. Especially your eyes. All black. Now, now. I mustn't be hasty. I am Fangorn, or Treebeard if you prefer."
Wufei slowly came out of his shock and stuttered an answer.
"Chang Wufei."
" Than, Master Wufei, would you please tell me what you are doing in this forest? I believe you have a motive."
"Well." The Chinese boy was completely at loss. What to answer? " I got lost. I didn't know it was forbidden." He finally said.
"Hum hom! Forbidden! Of course not, it isn't but few people dare to enter it. Now, now. Those little hobbits have installed a nasty habit in me. To be hasty. I will take you to my Ent house. There, we can talk if you wish."
Before Wufei could pronounce a word, he found himself on Treebeard's shoulder. The giant tree man's footsteps equalling to ten of the boy's.
" How far is it?" asked Wufei.
Treebeard let a go a booming laugh that echoed through the whole forest.
" You really do say the same things as my old friends. You can say that's it's about a hundred steps from here."
Wufei still didn't understand and looked even more puzzled but guessed that he meant the treeman's steps.
The forest blurred around the Chinese boy because of the speed Treebeard walked. They soon got to a small lake that found his source from a fall. The treeman went straight through it and once inside, dumped Wufei on a six- foot high table.
Treebeard went directly to some huge shelves, took two bowls and filled them up to the rim with water from a barrel.
" Drink this up Master Wufei. It'll do you good." He said, offering the bowl to him.
Wufei took it gladly and drank it. At first, it seemed like normal water but he soon felt a tickling feeling go from his toes to the tip of his ponytail.
"Now that you are refreshed, would you mind telling me how you got lost? Asked Treebeard.
Wufei didn't know how to answer to that. So, he told the truth. Well, like Maxwell often said, the part of the truth he didn't mind to tell. Not to lie, just to 'forget some details'.
" I was searching for a friend when I got lost."
"Hum hom. He must have found his way out, I didn't see him anywhere. Tomorrow, if you don't mind, I will bring you to the plains of Rohan. You will find people there to help you. I am beginning to be hasty. I should ask you before where you want to stand to sleep."
Even though he felt awkward again, Wufei was starting to get used to the weird 'man' standing in front of him.
" I usually lay down to sleep." He answered.
Once again, Treebeard laughed his throat out.
" Yes, I expected that answer. The same as Merry and Pippin. Here, I will make you a leaf bed."
As soon as he said it, it was done. He took Wufei from the table and on his improvised bed. Before falling asleep, the boy saw the Ent go under the fall, arms raised in the air, to sleep. He found the tableau quite amusing and fell asleep with a smile.
****** Next morning, before he knew it, Wufei was on Treebeard's shoulder again. It didn't take them long before they got to the plains. Only, the Ent stopped before the end of the forest and didn't go out.
"Hum hom, I do not like to leave my precious forest so I leave you here. Good luck in your search Master Wufei. If you get lost again, try to find me!"
And after a booming laugh, he was gone.
The Chinese boy walked out of the forest and into daylight. Outside, the first thing he saw was, horses. They were everywhere. A few shepherds were scattered here and there to make sure everything was fine. Wufei chose the nearest one and walked to him. He was going to ask for directions for Rohan. He needed any piece of information he could get about other strangers like him.
Strangers, yes, for the shepherd that spotted him was highly surprised.
****** The End.
****** So, how did you like it? Good I hope! I decided to finish it once and for all. True, it's 1a.m. but I don't have school tomorrow so who cares?
I want to congratulate Katie. She is the only one who answered correctly to my mini-contest of last chapter. (She's the only one who answered. .) I have another one for you: Who are the bad guys? The answer is in a previews chapter, two, I think. Anyway, it's going to be revealed clearly in the next chapter.
For those who only saw the movie: Don't worry if you don't know what an Ent his. You'll know November 18th, when the second movie gets out.
Read 'n' Review!
A-chan.
First day: Duo spends the night in the Old Forest
Second day: Duo arrives at the Shire Heero arrives in Rivendel at night
Third day: Legolas leaves the Shire
Eight day (first day of the second week): Duo wakes up in Bag End
Tenth day (third day of the second week): Legolas arrives at Rivendel
Eleventh day (fourth day of the second week): Legolas leaves Rivendel
Eighteenth day (fourth day of the third week): Legolas arrives at the Shire
Twenty-first day (seventh day of the third week): Duo leaves the Shire
Twenty-fourth day (third day of the fourth week): Duo gets shot
Twenty-eight day (first day of the fifth week): Wufei arrives in Fangorn
Okay, maybe it didn't help that much but let me explain. First, the way Duo and the others count the weeks isn't with Monday, Tuesday, etc. A seven-day pattern is a week. Duo starts counting the days when he wakes up, that's why when he says 'a week' it's really been two weeks. I made the others work on the same pattern. About Wufei, Quatre says it's been three weeks, which means they started the fourth week. Duo is going to get to Rivendel (yes he is but I won't say how ^^) in the first day of the fifth week. That means exactly when Wufei gets in Fangorn. I'm writing his story in advance.
Now, I hope it cleared the lost ones. If you have questions, put them in your review.
Warnings: No Quatre and Trowa story in this chapter. I have enough of Duo's, Heero's and Wufei's to worry about right now thank you very much. YAOI!!!!! Yes, I have finally decided to put up some yaoi. 1x2 basically. I had a too golden occasion and couldn't resist taking it. Anyway, I'm a fan of 1x2 and can't really write a good story without some. Sorry for those who hate it!
To Moonlightchic: I already have a beta reader and it's enough for me. Don't get mad, I'm really glad you asked!
To Katie: Thanks a lot for reviewing every chapter from the first one, I really appreciate it! It means a lot to me you know? Helps me to keep on going, even though it means staying up until 1a.m. Thanks, Arigato, Gracias, Merci, Gracies! (I can't say it in enough languages!^^)
Chapter 4:
A small groan escaped Duo's lips as he awakened to pain. His side burned like hell and his head wouldn't stop spinning. He slowly opened his eyes to a doubled star filled sky. When his sight straightened, he leaned on his elbows and sat up. A flaming pain reminded him of his present condition so he lay down again.
" You're awake! We were sacred for a moment. Thank God. You must rest. You've been hurt pretty bad." Said a familiar little voice.
" I'm not really sleepy. Only stiff and well, hurting." Replied Duo, trying to sit up again.
" Calm down Duo!" cried Legolas. " You don't want to reopen that wound of yours. It's already a miracle that it's healing that fast. I have never seen such recovery power." He added, putting a gentle but firm hand on the braided boy's shoulder to force him back down.
Duo pushed him off and forced himself up.
" I know someone who can set his own broken leg." He answered to deviate the subject away from his recovery power, which meant his training.
" How long have I slept?" he asked afterwards.
" Only four hours. I have known grown people who have slept for more than a day with an injury like that. You are a surprising fellow." Answered Legolas.
" Did you pull the arrow out yourself?" Asked Foldir, holding up the still bloodied arrow.
" Guess so. Couldn't have beaten that guy with it sticking inside me." Said Duo casually.
" I do not want to disappoint you but I doubt that you could have killed the man." Countered Hagen.
Duo shrugged. He chose not to pursue the subject. It was dangerously close to what a gun was. He didn't feel like explaining the simple fact of what an explosion could do except blow up everything.
" When are we leaving?" he asked to change the subject.
"When you are feeling apt to travel again. Make it as fast as possible, our food supplies won't last forever." Answered Legolas.
" Tomorrow'll be fine if I have my beauty sleep." Said Duo lying down and instantly falling asleep.
Sam went to sleep too but the Elves stayed a little longer, talking in their beautiful language about Duo's mysterious person. They doubted strongly that the fact that he healed that fast could be entirely attributed to his vitality. They knew their enemies. They were reputed to use biological weapons and poisons known to no one. But still, if it were a poison, wouldn't it be suppose to kill the braided boy instead of healing him? They also had to find out who injured him. The attackers were clever. They used plain weapons so that they couldn't be identified. It had been a serious problem all over Middle Earth. People kept being killed or seriously hurt, no one had been slightly injured, with so ordinary weapons that any smith could have been blamed. Criminals used that opportunity to perpetuate murders everywhere. Middle Earth was sinking back in misery.
*****
Next morning, Duo was unbelievingly the first one awake. Sam had fallen asleep while he was keeping watch and Duo's horse had decided that he needed some attention and was nudging the braided boy with his nose.
With a grunt, the American got up. He was feeling a bit better. If it weren't for the horses, he wouldn't be able to travel at all.
" Say, when you want attention you'd do anything to get it wouldn't you?" whispered Duo at the stallion.
The boy got up and, leading the black stallion, walked away to be out of earshot and started taking care of the animal the best he could with his injury. It actually was much better than only a few hours before.
" You know, I'm surprised that I can heal that fast! Even Heero can't recover this fast. One point for me. Can you believe it; I've beaten the Perfect Soldier in something. Wait you don't know who he is. He's one of my friends, the best I think. I'm not sure if he thinks the same but I do. Anyways, it's a wonder that I can say that. You know, he's called Heero Yuy but I think he should change it for Heero-the-almighty-block-of-ice-Yuy, it fits his personality best. I'm not joking, if that guy has feelings, I'm Santa Clause, really! He got that training from J when he was young that transformed him into a war machine. I pity him sometimes. Must have been hard."
And there he was, detailing every single thing he knew about Heero. The horse only stared at him with what appeared to be a questioning look.
" Hey! Come to think of it, I haven't given you a name yet! Let's see. I want to call you Deathscythe but my Gundam's already called that. It would get confusing. Lemme think. You're all black and your mane is all red, like blood. I know! You're Shinigami the God of Death. I call myself like that too but I'm the only one who those so it won't be too confusing. Anyway, the only ones who might want to remember it are all dead. You know, when I become Shinigami, it's to kill. I'm not proud of it but I don't have a damn choice. If I give up fighting, the colonies are going to be in deep shit and I really don't want that. That's why my Gundam and me are fighting. To defeat OZ."
It was Deathscythe's turn to be talked about. Duo also told Shinigami about the war and what caused it.
" You know, I don't think I could have done all that alone. I've got people helping me. Heero, of course, but also Trowa, Quatre and Wufei. They are very different from one another. Trowa isn't as cold as Heero but is still very antisocial. He never speaks, unless it's to give an instruction or his opinion. Wait, scratch that. We have to guess what he thinks half of the time. But it gives me a challenge. He's the only I didn't manage to really annoy, whatever I did. All the other gave me at least a look, but no, not him. I get tired before he his and that's something. Wufei can tell you more about that. It's so funny to see him really mad! He's always so stiff and silent, as if he's pissed off twenty-four hours a day, that it's worth all the money in the world to see him, yelling and menacing me with his katana. I don't know why he's like that but he's another silent one. At least he answers when I insult him! Of course, I never get hurt; Quatre is always there to prevent him from jumping on me. He's the mother-type one. Always worrying, as if everything was his fault. I guess that the way he was raised didn't help. He's got a very noble upbringing so he was taught to be very polite and gentle and all. The perfect gentleman. He's maybe a little bit young to be one. What's weird is that even though, like me, he's open, he's not my best friend. Maybe he's a little bit too much mother like. I've never known my mother. My father either. I've been an orphan since I can last remember. Well, not really. When Father Maxwell and Sister Helen adopted me in the church, I guess I had a family then. Sister Helen is the one who first braided my hair. I've never placed them in any other way afterwards. I don't have anything else to remind me of them since that.day."
Duo fell silent. He couldn't continue his incessant babbling anymore. His voice took a more serious tone, covered by grief.
" That day, I came back to find the remains of the church on fire. Everything was destroyed. Nobody who was in it survived, no one. I found Sister Helen barely breathing. She.she just had time to give me this cross before dying."
Duo took out the small golden pendant and stared at it.
" I started to cry but she made me promise to never cry anymore. I was young and since that day, I've never shed a tear. Never. I am still mourning over them but I keep my promise."
The American fell under the force of his desperation. The weight accumulating every day finally got the best of him. Remembering his past didn't help. He fell on his knees under the enormity of the events. His past, how he had gotten to this foreign place, how he felt alone and lost, everything. Shinigami, feeling his despair lowered his head for Duo to grab. The boy placed his forehead against the horse, eyes shut tight.
" It's hard not to cry." He whispered in a barely audible voice.
Legolas turned over and stared at Duo. The boy didn't know that Elves had a hearing more developed than humans so had misjudged his distant. Legolas had heard every single word he had spoken and at first had been angry at his lack of cooperation towards them and not toward the horse but it soon changed to pity and sadness. From what the boy had said, he was leading a hard life at his young age and had had a traumatizing past. The Elf admired him for everything he must have endured in his life without crying. Nothing could compare to it. Legolas closed his eyes and mentally tried to comfort him. It really was the best he could do in the face of such a situation.
******
That day of travel went as fast as one could think and without trouble. Everything was perfect and they took it easy. The fifth day was something more of a challenge, at least for Duo. Even though his wound was now completely healed, it started to sting until it drove him mad; he had a bad fever and a migraine that could kill. Of course, he pretended like everything was right; he didn't want to make his friends worry for nothing. It was probably only a feedback from the injury and would go away soon. He was totally wrong. Next day had been the worst ever. First, he felt like ripping off his head because of the pain. Even the faint whistle of wind made him flinch. Secondly, he was sweating pretty badly because of his fever. The others had noticed that but he put it on the count of the blazing sun. Thirdly, his scar hurt like hell. It seemed to burn from inside. Each time his heart pounded, a shot of flaming pain bursted under his wound and would send small painful waves throughout his body. Lastly, they had been attacked.
They were making their horses trot rapidly down the last bit of road before Rivendel, which was, of course, the most dangerous one. It was tightly surrounded by trees and, more than often, they had to make themselves a path.
Everybody leaded his horse in silence round a huge oak tree, which had fallen in the middle of the road. Once pass it, they found another, bigger one blocking the way. Unfortunately for them, the only way pass was to go down the small cliff at the right and go up again. It would be one though trip if they considered the horses. After a few minutes of turning in circles in search of another way, the unmounted, took the horses by their bridle and went for the cliff.
Legolas, being the first one attempting the trip, heard the arrow whistling through the leaves and was able to avoid it.
"Back up! It's an ambush!" he yelled at the others, jumping on his mount.
The others did the same and backed up. Just in time. Dozen of arrows started raining just were they had been mere seconds before. Legolas came to Duo and took a long parcel from his pack.
" Here. I hope you know how to use it."
He didn't have time to finish as at least twenty men came up the slope. They were clad in old, battered clothes and showed old, rusted swords. Duo gulped. He knew nothing of swordsmanship. It was one of those rare occasions when he wished Wufei were there. Still, he took his weapon, unsheathed and did a few technical swings, just to get the feeling of it. Maybe that's what saved his life because one man attacked him but was countered by the boy's unconscious blocking manoeuvre. He had to improvise others like that as his assailant's attacks never stopped. Suddenly, the man slid in the mud and lost his balance for one second. One too many. Duo, using the overture, cut the man's throat with a wide arc of his blade. Another one came to take the fallen one's place. This time, the American would have lost if it hadn't been for Legolas. He came up in the neck of time and killed the poor bastard but was separated from Duo once again. This time, nobody would have been able to save him. Being completely pissed off by the thieves attacking them and feeling his strength leaving with his every breath, he took out his gun and shot the closest one. The shooting sound surprised about everyone and they all froze.
" I see one move and I kill him, understood?" menaced Duo in a low voice.
The thieves looked at each other, not certain on what to do. Finally one put an uneasy step forward only to fall dead, a bullet in the head.
" You are all going to run away real fast if you don't want to suffer the same fate." He said afterwards in an even more menacing voice.
They didn't need to be told a second time. Afraid of the new and unknown weapon, they fled as fast as they could. The three elves and the hobbit looked at him in disbelief, not understanding more than the criminals. Before they could pronounce a word, Duo fell onto Shinigami's back, unconscious. The events had made his heartbeat accelerate, speeding the venom's propagation in the process. Not waiting a second, Legolas dropped to the ground and lead the black stallion down the slope as fast as possible. He needed to bring the boy to Rivendel in the shortest delay possible.
*****
It was late evening and the group Duo was with still hadn't arrived. Heero was starting to worry about them. Especially Duo. He had been told that it would take about a week if all went well and today was the last day of that week. Staying near the stairs, the only way in, he waited patiently for them to arrive.
His heart jumped in his chest when he heard fast horses coming. Finally they were here. He stopped at the bottom of the staircase and looked up only to feel his heart squeeze. Coming down the slope made for animals just beside the stairs was a black stallion leaded by an elf on a white horse. Across the saddle of the black animal was a braided boy, obviously unconscious, his head swaying right and left with the pace of the mount.
It took all the Perfect Soldier's efforts to stay put and not run to them. He didn't know why but since the American had disappeared, Heero had been constantly stressed and restless. Now that he seeing him like that, he felt even more agitated than before and nearly couldn't contain his agitation.
"Master Yuy!"
Heero looked up at the one who had called him. After having spent some time in Rivendel, he had gotten used to the way the called him.
Legolas came rapidly down only to stop briefly beside the Japanese boy.
" Please, go tell the King to prepare to receive someone at Elrond's House that will need immediate care. Run quickly."
Heero didn't need to be told twice. He turned heels and sprinted as fast as he could to the said house. He found Aragorn in the Fire Room, discussing business matters with other elves but didn't give a damn about interrupting. It took some time before the King trusted him but the arrangements were made and finished when Duo arrived, transported by four strong elves.
"What is his problem?" asked Aragorn in elvish.
" Poison." Simply replied Legolas.
" What sort?" demanded next the King.
Legolas explained to him all the boy's symptoms in details. Strangely, it made Aragorn smile.
" I will take care of this myself. The poison I think it is was used a lot in Gondor." He said lightly.
Heero, who was following from behind, didn't like the sound of their conversation and the smile Aragorn had shown but still, he said nothing and followed. He couldn't do anything anyway.
Once in the room, Aragorn asked everyone to leave but Heero insisted so much that he finally gave in. The Perfect Soldier sat in beside the bed and watched carefully the King every, single move.
First, he put a cold, wet towel on his forehead to help get the fever down. Secondly, and much to Heero's horror, he took a knife and carefully cut the wound open again. A fresh flow of blood poured but not enough to be too dangerous. After making water boil, he threw a few leaves inside the liquid and waited a few minutes to be sure that they would have had their virtue working. He took the potion and dropped a few drops inside the wound. Then, he humidified a bandage with the concoction and tied it around the injury. Heero fought really hard not to rip Aragorn's head when he heard Duo moaning in his sleep because of the pain of the bandage on his infected skin but it soon died away. Finally, the King made the boy drink the entire remaining potion. It had an almost instant effect. The American's breathing became less laboured and he seemed to have a more easy sleep.
"What was wrong with him?" finally asked Heero when he saw that Aragorn was definitely finished.
" Poison. It is very popular in Gondor. It helps the wound heal and when it has totally recovered, starts acting. This way, you can't cure it without reopening the wound, which is very dangerous. Unfortunately, you absolutely have to disinfect the injury since it's the heart of the problem. Also, the plant, which neutralizes the venom, is only found here, in these woods. Basically, your friend was very lucky to found himself here. Another day or two and his heart would have given under the pressure." Answered the King while leaving.
Heero said nothing but stared at Duo's now peaceful sleeping face. His bangs flew gently over his head with each breath taken, making him look adorably cute. The Japanese boy gently brushed his hand against the slumbering boy's cheek and sighted, feeling relieved. He took his hand that lay dangling over the bed and squeezed it gently. Duo mumbled something and turned on his side toward Heero but made no gesture of trying to release himself from the grip. The Perfect Soldier allowed a smile to cross his face and, deciding to stop being stoic and emotionless, played into the braided boy's hair while humming a tune in his warm voice, always smiling.
********
Wufei started, totally shocked, at the twelve foot giant tree who had picked him up. It definitely was a tree but he had eyes and the moss covering his body seemed more like a beard than anything else.
"Hum, hom. I have never seen the likes of you before. You look like a man but I have seen a lot of them and they resemble you in nothing. Especially your eyes. All black. Now, now. I mustn't be hasty. I am Fangorn, or Treebeard if you prefer."
Wufei slowly came out of his shock and stuttered an answer.
"Chang Wufei."
" Than, Master Wufei, would you please tell me what you are doing in this forest? I believe you have a motive."
"Well." The Chinese boy was completely at loss. What to answer? " I got lost. I didn't know it was forbidden." He finally said.
"Hum hom! Forbidden! Of course not, it isn't but few people dare to enter it. Now, now. Those little hobbits have installed a nasty habit in me. To be hasty. I will take you to my Ent house. There, we can talk if you wish."
Before Wufei could pronounce a word, he found himself on Treebeard's shoulder. The giant tree man's footsteps equalling to ten of the boy's.
" How far is it?" asked Wufei.
Treebeard let a go a booming laugh that echoed through the whole forest.
" You really do say the same things as my old friends. You can say that's it's about a hundred steps from here."
Wufei still didn't understand and looked even more puzzled but guessed that he meant the treeman's steps.
The forest blurred around the Chinese boy because of the speed Treebeard walked. They soon got to a small lake that found his source from a fall. The treeman went straight through it and once inside, dumped Wufei on a six- foot high table.
Treebeard went directly to some huge shelves, took two bowls and filled them up to the rim with water from a barrel.
" Drink this up Master Wufei. It'll do you good." He said, offering the bowl to him.
Wufei took it gladly and drank it. At first, it seemed like normal water but he soon felt a tickling feeling go from his toes to the tip of his ponytail.
"Now that you are refreshed, would you mind telling me how you got lost? Asked Treebeard.
Wufei didn't know how to answer to that. So, he told the truth. Well, like Maxwell often said, the part of the truth he didn't mind to tell. Not to lie, just to 'forget some details'.
" I was searching for a friend when I got lost."
"Hum hom. He must have found his way out, I didn't see him anywhere. Tomorrow, if you don't mind, I will bring you to the plains of Rohan. You will find people there to help you. I am beginning to be hasty. I should ask you before where you want to stand to sleep."
Even though he felt awkward again, Wufei was starting to get used to the weird 'man' standing in front of him.
" I usually lay down to sleep." He answered.
Once again, Treebeard laughed his throat out.
" Yes, I expected that answer. The same as Merry and Pippin. Here, I will make you a leaf bed."
As soon as he said it, it was done. He took Wufei from the table and on his improvised bed. Before falling asleep, the boy saw the Ent go under the fall, arms raised in the air, to sleep. He found the tableau quite amusing and fell asleep with a smile.
****** Next morning, before he knew it, Wufei was on Treebeard's shoulder again. It didn't take them long before they got to the plains. Only, the Ent stopped before the end of the forest and didn't go out.
"Hum hom, I do not like to leave my precious forest so I leave you here. Good luck in your search Master Wufei. If you get lost again, try to find me!"
And after a booming laugh, he was gone.
The Chinese boy walked out of the forest and into daylight. Outside, the first thing he saw was, horses. They were everywhere. A few shepherds were scattered here and there to make sure everything was fine. Wufei chose the nearest one and walked to him. He was going to ask for directions for Rohan. He needed any piece of information he could get about other strangers like him.
Strangers, yes, for the shepherd that spotted him was highly surprised.
****** The End.
****** So, how did you like it? Good I hope! I decided to finish it once and for all. True, it's 1a.m. but I don't have school tomorrow so who cares?
I want to congratulate Katie. She is the only one who answered correctly to my mini-contest of last chapter. (She's the only one who answered. .) I have another one for you: Who are the bad guys? The answer is in a previews chapter, two, I think. Anyway, it's going to be revealed clearly in the next chapter.
For those who only saw the movie: Don't worry if you don't know what an Ent his. You'll know November 18th, when the second movie gets out.
Read 'n' Review!
A-chan.