Sorry for the long wait, but I was a little short on inspiration for this
chapter.
Disclaimer: The forest, evil guy and all are all my ideas. Gundam Wing and Lord of the Rings don't belong to me.
Chapter 13
Duo looked inquisitively at the youth before him. He was younger than him, maybe thirteen or fourteen, was small, slim and innocent looking. His hair was a blond mess and his eyes a brown mixed with shear fear. He didn't look menacing at all. When he wasn't about to move, Duo reached his hand out.
" Come on now, on your feet. I won't hurt you." Duo encouraged so that the young soldier trembled a little less. Reluctantly, not moving his gaze away from the braided boy, he stood up without help and moved towards the thickest gathering of people.
" That's it, before me so that I can see you. Still have to be careful." He said gently, knowing perfectly that any dangerous looking move would probably scare him and the youth could do something stupid and earn himself an arrow in the back. Duo wanted to avoid that at all costs. He was a precious prisoner after all. Yes, he was a prisoner. For all his sympathy, Duo knew well the schemes of war and he couldn't let an enemy go away at least not interoggated.
" At least it's true I won't hurt him, nor let the others do. I just fear my dark side. It's already weird that he didn't show up sooner, he might pop up any moment and torture the kid. I just have to refrain any killing thoughts. That's no good, it won't work. Guess I'll have to test my luck."
Duo noticed the hesitance in the scout's steps and moved to his side.
" Not there, kid. We don't want to see these people. Go over there." He instructed, grabbing his shoulder and steering him towards the place where Aragorn and the others were discussing.
As expected, Heero was the first one to do anything. He produced a rope from seemingly nowhere and tied the scout's wrists firmly together. He also took his sword and threw it aside. Then, taking Duo's place, he steered him to an empty corner of the room where they wouldn't be bothered. Aragorn followed gravely, accompanied by Wufei, Legolas and Aseldir. Heero left them and went back to see Duo who was standing away from the small group, his face in a thoughtful frown.
" Where did you find him?" the Perfect Soldier asked, slumping down on the floor, not caring that his exhaustion showed plainly.
" Hidden behind the water basin. Poor kid, he was shaking all over and crying." Duo answered while imitating Heero's gesture. The battle hadn't been long but tiresome. More to that, it wasn't really long since they had fought in the fortress and all the 'cleaning up' wasn't easy work. A nice warm bed would be very welcomed. Food too, actually.
" We still have to interrogate him." Heero reminded his fellow pilot coldly. " It's up to him to cooperate."
" I know. I'm just looking forward to getting out of here. I'm dead tired." Agreed the American, standing up and walking away.
Heero watched his retreating back intensively and frowned. Duo's steps were heavy and slow and his shoulders were sloppy. Even his braid was very messy and in need of a redo. Duo was obviously very tired and needed a well- deserved sleep. Heero longed for it too but he had to take part in the interrogation on behalf of Duo. He knew too well that an exhausted Duo wasn't a good thing. Still, he felt a little jealous of his chance to rest. Standing up with a sigh, the Perfect Soldier stretched and massaged his neck. The day had been a very long one and he was aching all over. He looked at the interrogation. Aragorn was kneeling before the youth, face set in a serious mask. The poor kid was trembling and looking at his feet while muttering answers.
" Is he cooperating?" Heero asked, slipping back into mission mode, when Aragorn stepped away.
He nodded and stood up.
" Is name is Iyaren. Actually, he looks more than willing to tell us all we want to know." The King replied, pondering on the scout's answers.
" Do not trust him too much then. It might be a trap." Advised Heero, looking at the blond boy darkly.
" I doubt it. He was not lying, I am sure. Also, all that he said works with today's happenings. He also assured us that he wanted to fight on our side." Countered Aragorn, also eyeing the youth.
Heero frowned and went to kneel before the boy. He was drinking water from a wooden bowl offered by an elf. When he spotted Heero, his eyes widened and he dropped the bowl.
" Are you truly willing to fight with us?" Heero asked rather dangerously.
" I, well, I, yes, I guess." Iyaren stuttered uneasily, staring at the bowl on the ground as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
" And why this change of mind?" Heero continued on the same menacing tone of voice.
Iyaren reddened before answering.
" They're just a bunch of bloodthirsty maniacs." He answered. Visibly, the prospect of openly insulting his ex-superiors was new and unfamiliar to him.
There was long pause before Heero spoke again. " Are you scared of me?" he asked more evenly than before.
If possible, Iyaren reddened even more. An uneasy smile twitched the corners of his mouth. "Yes." He muttered.
" If you are on our side, there is no reason to be." Heero said casually, looking at the boy intensively.
" I, I saw you before the battle, with the other, shorter one. The one who brought me here." Replied Iyaren.
Heero caught the unconscious hint Iyaren let out. " Before?"
" I'm a scout you know, it's my job to be somewhere before the army." Iyaren said with mounting force. Obviously, it was a subject he wanted to defend.
Heero stared at the youth for a second before a small smile spread across his features. He rose to his feet and left the scout to his bewireldment. " What do you know." He thought. " That's the little guy I pushed in the tunnels."
********
Duo looked intensively at the red stone in his hand. Thoughts of calling the woman crossed his mind as he fingered the jewel. He wanted to speak to her, to hear her soft voice. The only thing was, what would he tell her? He hadn't reflected on the legend she showed him and he was positive about the fact that she probably already knew everything about the battle.
Still fingering the stone, Duo laid back on the makeshift bed of heavy furs. He blinked his eyes one last time before letting them closed definitively. He wanted to go into that forest again, just to see the twisted trees.
********
Lord Ineluki peered into his mirror and sighed. It was no good. He could barely see what was happening down into Helm's Deep. His power was almost fully drained by the simple task of getting past the dragon statues. He moved away from his previous artefact and looked around the round room in search of a comfortable place to lie down and gather his strength.
Deciding to rest against the circular wall, he sat on the ground and closed his heavy cloak about him in an almost vain attempt to keep himself warm. He then reached his hand up and removed his mythril crown off his head and set it down on the black floor. Letting the blood-red fur of his cloak caress his skin, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall asleep. As the Lord of the Sea and of the Eastern lands, he could rarely just sleep without his crown. He always had to keep a perfect and cold figure in order to maintain his authority in these foreign lands. At least in this chamber he could be as he wished without fearing any consequences.
" Might as well pay a visit to my fair Lady." He thought before finally falling asleep.
*********
Duo looked around and smiled. The tall, twisted trees of million of hues were rather hard not to recognize. Walking on the soft grass, he let the strangeness of the place fill all the corners of his mind until he wasn't thinking of anything. He soon passed beside the pool he recognized as the one that brought him into the world of Helm's Deep legend. Smirking, he purposively avoided it. He wasn't feeling like going back there. As he walked aimlessly through the trees, he felt his bond with his physical self weaken and yet energy filled him with renewed power. No caring for what might happen if he completely lost contact with his sleeping from, he continued his 'visit' of this dream world.
Duo soon noticed a different part of the forest. The trees were scarcer and thinner but beautiful nonetheless. There bark was as smooth as silk and of a glistening sliver while the leaves reflected the light into a million colours. There was no grass anymore, but soft soil that smelled like the past and inspired nostalgia. Duo felt compelled by that new and beautiful place. Looking around, he noticed a sort of clearing. It was decorated with a small waterfall flowing down a gentle and sparkling stream.
It was such a captivating place that Duo decided to sit by the stream and rest. He searched silently for his physical self and nodded in acknowledgment as he felt it still, deep down into the shadows of his heart.
"Hello."
Duo looked around slowly. Normally, he would have jumped to his feet and prepared for any threat but this place inspired peace and tranquility. The last thing he thought about was pain and danger.
He stared at the silhouette cutting itself from the shadows.
" Hi." He replied to the person, motioning to him to sit down beside him.
**********
Ineluki searched for any sign of the Lady. She was apparently trying to cut him out but no effort of her's would be able to push him out of his territory. The least she could do was refuse any communication. Pushing his search a notch farther, he managed to break her defences and establish a bond.
" Why are you here?" she said icily, not even greeting him.
" It is my right as much as yours to be here." Ineluki replied, making his smile travel to her.
" You haven't invaded this forest for years. What brings you now?" she demanded, letting her anger flow freely through their bond.
" My dear Lady, I have been greatly occupied. My absence was not intentional. Do pardon my lack of attention on your behalf." The Sea Lord said in mocking courtesy.
" Do not play games. I will soon discover the motives behind your destruction." She menaced, trying to force him out.
" Yes? I am eager to see that." He replied, his voice loosing a bit of his charm. " Well, well. What do we have here? A trespasser? Is this why you have been so vehemently trying to push me out, to prevent me from sensing his presence? You have failed my Lady, for he is now in my territory and you cannot protect him anymore."
" Ineluki, wait! Do not talk to him!" she warned, using all of her force to cut him out of this world.
" I cannot do that, my Lady. It is my duty as a host to greet any visitors." Ineluki said and cut off their connection.
**********
Duo looked at the man that had appeared. He was tall and strongly built. The braided boy judged that he was about twenty-five years old but he couldn't be sure. He knew that in this place, nothing was what it seemed.
" You're the first man I see since I first got here." Duo said, talking out his hand to shake the other's who repeated the gesture.
" So are you. What do you seek here?" Ineluki asked, sitting down next to the boy.
Duo looked at him for a few seconds before answering.
" Rest."
Ineluki didn't say anything. They sat there silently for the whole time, not pronouncing a word or disturbing the peace.
********
Ineluki woke up from his quick sleep and looked up to stare into space. The boy he had met was the first one to walk into his territory, even if not many people could see the forest of the Lady. He could still feel the boy's aura, but his appearance remained a mystery. In the dream world, nothing was what it seemed so the Sea Lord couldn't be sure of whom he was thinking of.
Pushing the confusing thoughts away, he picked up his crown, placed it back onto his head and stood up to move back before Mirror of Sauron.
********
Duo woke up and stared at the ceiling.
" That was a first" he thought, " It's the first time I see the person I talk to."
Retreating from the comfortable security of the covers, he looked around to notice that almost everybody was asleep, with a few exceptions that included Heero. Duo stood up and joined his companion who was sitting before a small fire, his eyes fix and distant.
" Hey Heero. Did you sleep at all?" Duo asked after sitting beside him.
" We're being watched." Was all Heero said.
" What?" the braided boy demanded, bewireled and looking around for any spies.
" Somebody is spying on us."
******** The end ********
It's a little short, I know, but I was short on time and inspiration. School has the nick of draining all my ideas. I can't guaranty the time in which my next chapter will come up. Depends on all lot of things.
A-chan
Disclaimer: The forest, evil guy and all are all my ideas. Gundam Wing and Lord of the Rings don't belong to me.
Chapter 13
Duo looked inquisitively at the youth before him. He was younger than him, maybe thirteen or fourteen, was small, slim and innocent looking. His hair was a blond mess and his eyes a brown mixed with shear fear. He didn't look menacing at all. When he wasn't about to move, Duo reached his hand out.
" Come on now, on your feet. I won't hurt you." Duo encouraged so that the young soldier trembled a little less. Reluctantly, not moving his gaze away from the braided boy, he stood up without help and moved towards the thickest gathering of people.
" That's it, before me so that I can see you. Still have to be careful." He said gently, knowing perfectly that any dangerous looking move would probably scare him and the youth could do something stupid and earn himself an arrow in the back. Duo wanted to avoid that at all costs. He was a precious prisoner after all. Yes, he was a prisoner. For all his sympathy, Duo knew well the schemes of war and he couldn't let an enemy go away at least not interoggated.
" At least it's true I won't hurt him, nor let the others do. I just fear my dark side. It's already weird that he didn't show up sooner, he might pop up any moment and torture the kid. I just have to refrain any killing thoughts. That's no good, it won't work. Guess I'll have to test my luck."
Duo noticed the hesitance in the scout's steps and moved to his side.
" Not there, kid. We don't want to see these people. Go over there." He instructed, grabbing his shoulder and steering him towards the place where Aragorn and the others were discussing.
As expected, Heero was the first one to do anything. He produced a rope from seemingly nowhere and tied the scout's wrists firmly together. He also took his sword and threw it aside. Then, taking Duo's place, he steered him to an empty corner of the room where they wouldn't be bothered. Aragorn followed gravely, accompanied by Wufei, Legolas and Aseldir. Heero left them and went back to see Duo who was standing away from the small group, his face in a thoughtful frown.
" Where did you find him?" the Perfect Soldier asked, slumping down on the floor, not caring that his exhaustion showed plainly.
" Hidden behind the water basin. Poor kid, he was shaking all over and crying." Duo answered while imitating Heero's gesture. The battle hadn't been long but tiresome. More to that, it wasn't really long since they had fought in the fortress and all the 'cleaning up' wasn't easy work. A nice warm bed would be very welcomed. Food too, actually.
" We still have to interrogate him." Heero reminded his fellow pilot coldly. " It's up to him to cooperate."
" I know. I'm just looking forward to getting out of here. I'm dead tired." Agreed the American, standing up and walking away.
Heero watched his retreating back intensively and frowned. Duo's steps were heavy and slow and his shoulders were sloppy. Even his braid was very messy and in need of a redo. Duo was obviously very tired and needed a well- deserved sleep. Heero longed for it too but he had to take part in the interrogation on behalf of Duo. He knew too well that an exhausted Duo wasn't a good thing. Still, he felt a little jealous of his chance to rest. Standing up with a sigh, the Perfect Soldier stretched and massaged his neck. The day had been a very long one and he was aching all over. He looked at the interrogation. Aragorn was kneeling before the youth, face set in a serious mask. The poor kid was trembling and looking at his feet while muttering answers.
" Is he cooperating?" Heero asked, slipping back into mission mode, when Aragorn stepped away.
He nodded and stood up.
" Is name is Iyaren. Actually, he looks more than willing to tell us all we want to know." The King replied, pondering on the scout's answers.
" Do not trust him too much then. It might be a trap." Advised Heero, looking at the blond boy darkly.
" I doubt it. He was not lying, I am sure. Also, all that he said works with today's happenings. He also assured us that he wanted to fight on our side." Countered Aragorn, also eyeing the youth.
Heero frowned and went to kneel before the boy. He was drinking water from a wooden bowl offered by an elf. When he spotted Heero, his eyes widened and he dropped the bowl.
" Are you truly willing to fight with us?" Heero asked rather dangerously.
" I, well, I, yes, I guess." Iyaren stuttered uneasily, staring at the bowl on the ground as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
" And why this change of mind?" Heero continued on the same menacing tone of voice.
Iyaren reddened before answering.
" They're just a bunch of bloodthirsty maniacs." He answered. Visibly, the prospect of openly insulting his ex-superiors was new and unfamiliar to him.
There was long pause before Heero spoke again. " Are you scared of me?" he asked more evenly than before.
If possible, Iyaren reddened even more. An uneasy smile twitched the corners of his mouth. "Yes." He muttered.
" If you are on our side, there is no reason to be." Heero said casually, looking at the boy intensively.
" I, I saw you before the battle, with the other, shorter one. The one who brought me here." Replied Iyaren.
Heero caught the unconscious hint Iyaren let out. " Before?"
" I'm a scout you know, it's my job to be somewhere before the army." Iyaren said with mounting force. Obviously, it was a subject he wanted to defend.
Heero stared at the youth for a second before a small smile spread across his features. He rose to his feet and left the scout to his bewireldment. " What do you know." He thought. " That's the little guy I pushed in the tunnels."
********
Duo looked intensively at the red stone in his hand. Thoughts of calling the woman crossed his mind as he fingered the jewel. He wanted to speak to her, to hear her soft voice. The only thing was, what would he tell her? He hadn't reflected on the legend she showed him and he was positive about the fact that she probably already knew everything about the battle.
Still fingering the stone, Duo laid back on the makeshift bed of heavy furs. He blinked his eyes one last time before letting them closed definitively. He wanted to go into that forest again, just to see the twisted trees.
********
Lord Ineluki peered into his mirror and sighed. It was no good. He could barely see what was happening down into Helm's Deep. His power was almost fully drained by the simple task of getting past the dragon statues. He moved away from his previous artefact and looked around the round room in search of a comfortable place to lie down and gather his strength.
Deciding to rest against the circular wall, he sat on the ground and closed his heavy cloak about him in an almost vain attempt to keep himself warm. He then reached his hand up and removed his mythril crown off his head and set it down on the black floor. Letting the blood-red fur of his cloak caress his skin, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall asleep. As the Lord of the Sea and of the Eastern lands, he could rarely just sleep without his crown. He always had to keep a perfect and cold figure in order to maintain his authority in these foreign lands. At least in this chamber he could be as he wished without fearing any consequences.
" Might as well pay a visit to my fair Lady." He thought before finally falling asleep.
*********
Duo looked around and smiled. The tall, twisted trees of million of hues were rather hard not to recognize. Walking on the soft grass, he let the strangeness of the place fill all the corners of his mind until he wasn't thinking of anything. He soon passed beside the pool he recognized as the one that brought him into the world of Helm's Deep legend. Smirking, he purposively avoided it. He wasn't feeling like going back there. As he walked aimlessly through the trees, he felt his bond with his physical self weaken and yet energy filled him with renewed power. No caring for what might happen if he completely lost contact with his sleeping from, he continued his 'visit' of this dream world.
Duo soon noticed a different part of the forest. The trees were scarcer and thinner but beautiful nonetheless. There bark was as smooth as silk and of a glistening sliver while the leaves reflected the light into a million colours. There was no grass anymore, but soft soil that smelled like the past and inspired nostalgia. Duo felt compelled by that new and beautiful place. Looking around, he noticed a sort of clearing. It was decorated with a small waterfall flowing down a gentle and sparkling stream.
It was such a captivating place that Duo decided to sit by the stream and rest. He searched silently for his physical self and nodded in acknowledgment as he felt it still, deep down into the shadows of his heart.
"Hello."
Duo looked around slowly. Normally, he would have jumped to his feet and prepared for any threat but this place inspired peace and tranquility. The last thing he thought about was pain and danger.
He stared at the silhouette cutting itself from the shadows.
" Hi." He replied to the person, motioning to him to sit down beside him.
**********
Ineluki searched for any sign of the Lady. She was apparently trying to cut him out but no effort of her's would be able to push him out of his territory. The least she could do was refuse any communication. Pushing his search a notch farther, he managed to break her defences and establish a bond.
" Why are you here?" she said icily, not even greeting him.
" It is my right as much as yours to be here." Ineluki replied, making his smile travel to her.
" You haven't invaded this forest for years. What brings you now?" she demanded, letting her anger flow freely through their bond.
" My dear Lady, I have been greatly occupied. My absence was not intentional. Do pardon my lack of attention on your behalf." The Sea Lord said in mocking courtesy.
" Do not play games. I will soon discover the motives behind your destruction." She menaced, trying to force him out.
" Yes? I am eager to see that." He replied, his voice loosing a bit of his charm. " Well, well. What do we have here? A trespasser? Is this why you have been so vehemently trying to push me out, to prevent me from sensing his presence? You have failed my Lady, for he is now in my territory and you cannot protect him anymore."
" Ineluki, wait! Do not talk to him!" she warned, using all of her force to cut him out of this world.
" I cannot do that, my Lady. It is my duty as a host to greet any visitors." Ineluki said and cut off their connection.
**********
Duo looked at the man that had appeared. He was tall and strongly built. The braided boy judged that he was about twenty-five years old but he couldn't be sure. He knew that in this place, nothing was what it seemed.
" You're the first man I see since I first got here." Duo said, talking out his hand to shake the other's who repeated the gesture.
" So are you. What do you seek here?" Ineluki asked, sitting down next to the boy.
Duo looked at him for a few seconds before answering.
" Rest."
Ineluki didn't say anything. They sat there silently for the whole time, not pronouncing a word or disturbing the peace.
********
Ineluki woke up from his quick sleep and looked up to stare into space. The boy he had met was the first one to walk into his territory, even if not many people could see the forest of the Lady. He could still feel the boy's aura, but his appearance remained a mystery. In the dream world, nothing was what it seemed so the Sea Lord couldn't be sure of whom he was thinking of.
Pushing the confusing thoughts away, he picked up his crown, placed it back onto his head and stood up to move back before Mirror of Sauron.
********
Duo woke up and stared at the ceiling.
" That was a first" he thought, " It's the first time I see the person I talk to."
Retreating from the comfortable security of the covers, he looked around to notice that almost everybody was asleep, with a few exceptions that included Heero. Duo stood up and joined his companion who was sitting before a small fire, his eyes fix and distant.
" Hey Heero. Did you sleep at all?" Duo asked after sitting beside him.
" We're being watched." Was all Heero said.
" What?" the braided boy demanded, bewireled and looking around for any spies.
" Somebody is spying on us."
******** The end ********
It's a little short, I know, but I was short on time and inspiration. School has the nick of draining all my ideas. I can't guaranty the time in which my next chapter will come up. Depends on all lot of things.
A-chan