Important : I know I've taken so much time, but that's because I wasn't
feeling like typing at all. I'll say it now and at the end of this chapter
only: don't expect the other chapters soon.
Warnings: Duo/Heero torture, if it really counts^^ Tiny itsy bitsy bits of violence, if you dig really far.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Lord of the Rings. All other characters are mine.
Special thanks to one of my faithful readers who gave me a few kicks to make me finish this chapter.^^;
Chapter 17:
Shadowfax was running the fastest he could with Wing trailing behind him. Wufei kept coaxing him faster and faster between long strings of Chinese curses. The snow was flowing under the horses' hooves in a soft cloud as they beat the cold white flakes. The wind was piercing him to the core like a thousand knives, but the fifth pilot ignored it. Heero was still unconscious, much unlike his usual habits and that proved more than any word that something was very wrong.
Finally spotting the rim of Fangorn forest, Wufei let out a deep sigh of relief and sucked in his breath as quickly. The trees were coated in an immaculate layer of snow that glittered in the early evening sun. From some branches hung long and perfectly transparent icicles that gave the trees a surreal look.
It's with deep reluctance that Wufei entered the forest and disturbed the perfection of the snow-covered ground only marked by some animal trail. Silence reigned like a warm blanket over the coldness of the scenery as the trio made its way through the maze formed by the trees. When they were just about to loose the edge from sight, Wufei stopped and turned around. He stared at it for a while before resuming his walk. His shoulders were never heavier than at that precise moment. Grief hung at his heart as his thoughts focused on a certain braided pilot he had left alone in the blizzard. He couldn't risk his and Heero's life for the simple hope of saving him. Wufei kept telling himself that Duo had many chances of surviving. Shinigami was with him and the American hadn't appeared to be injured. He turned those thoughts over and over in his head, hoping to convince himself.
Why did he feel like he did the worst treason in the world then?
********
Aseldir checked for the second time that Duo was safely strapped to Shinigami. He had found the boy lying on his front in the snow, unconscious, with his black stallion standing guard beside him. He was burning with a very bad fever and was breathing harshly. Shinigami had been pretty happy to see Aseldir arrive and was being very careful not to drop his precious load.
Jumping on his horse, Aseldir took Shinigami's reigns and started off at a fast trot. The red-haired soldier headed directly for Ronan. It was the closest city and he knew that they would greet him warmly, especially after their victory at Helm's Deep. They also had very competent doctors that would be able to heal the braided boy. Aseldir just hoped that he would get there in time. He knew where he was, but not how far. If he hadn't gotten lost on his way, he guessed he would be there by the following morning.
Looking up at the finally blue sky, he wished it had cleared sooner. Because of that, he lost the trail that had leaded him to Duo and that had probably been leading him to Wufei and Heero. He didn't know why they had left Duo in his possibly lethal position, but he hoped they were also all right.
His thoughts returning to his task, he hurried forward into the darkening night.
*********
Ineluki watched the dragon statues carefully. He could feel their power like a pulse in the air, suffocating and heavy. Although their eyes were closed, him being too far, the Sea Lord could discern the dark energy of life in the endless orbs. If he listened carefully, Ineluki was sure that he could hear their cold breath whistle in his ears.
Reluctant as he was, the King stepped forward. Suddenly, the statues' eyes burned and light up, illuminating the corridor in a blinding light accompanied by a shriek from another world. Ineluki stood against the assault and waited for the echoes to die down. Lowering his gloved hand from before his eyes, he took a deep breath and took another step. This time, the dragons' claws tightened their hold on the stone seats and it could be heard cracking. Their black wings shimmered in warning.
Ineluki gulped and removed his gloves. The guardians had become so strong that it was now impossible for the greatest wizard to get pass them. Still, he had to in order to be able to look in the Mirror of Sauron and see all of Middle Earth. Bringing his hands to his neck, he removed his chocker. He only did on very few occasions but this was one of such. He didn't like the emptiness the chocker left on his neck and so he quickly prepared for the fight. Instead of using the big red pearl in the foremost and biggest ring, he turned the necklace and placed his hand around a smaller ring containing a beautiful diamond on which was engraved the symbol of the black elves of his country.
The Sea Lord was very reluctant to use the jewel, but it was now his only choice. The power contained in the diamond was so powerful that it could very well kill him but once he had unleashed it on the dragon guardians, they would be rendered useless forever.
Raising his hands before himself, chocker held firmly in his palms, he emptied his mind and concentrated himself on gathering up the strength necessary to unleash the jewel's powers. His eyes closed tight, he forced his own spell in the necklace and released all of the gathered energy.
The effect was disastrous. Ineluki felt like his life was being sucked out of him as a blinding light shot out of the jewel. His hands trembled as he vainly tried to let go of the necklace burning his skin.
When the statues shrieked in alarm, Ineluki truly believed that his mind would be crushed under the shear pressure the spell was putting him under. He opened his eyes as a bolt of electricity ran down his spine, making him fall to his knees. The precious object still clutched tightly in his hand, he watched, half conscious, the statues dance. The light from the jewel lowered in intensity and everything grew foggy. Ineluki stared as two shapes seemed to curl and twist against some unknown force. Then, with a final cry and hit, the statues crumpled and fell. Ineluki fell with them with a shriek of pain as though the pain in his heart was the same as the guardians' when they died.
********
Aseldir was looking at the night stars when something disturbed his line of thoughts. Coming back to the present, he listened for the sound to come again. Nearly seconds after, a deep moan was heard. Turning around on his horse's back, the red-haired stared in amazement. The braided boy was moaning and mumbling intelligible things while still being unconscious. He soon stopped and the only word Aseldir managed to discern was : Tallien.
********
His eyelashes fluttered a few times before opening. The first thing Ineluki registered was that he was lying on his face on some hard and cold stone and that he was holding something warm in his hand. Pushing himself up with his hands, he sat cross-legged and rubbed his temple with his free hand. The walls were dancing and spinning as black spots danced before his eyes. It took some time before Ineluki remembered where he was and why. He looked closer and saw that the stone statues were now only a pile of rumbles.
Amazement evident in his eyes, Ineluki stood up slowly as another dizzy spell assaulted him. He was hurting everywhere and felt drained like never before. Putting the chocker back around his neck and taking his gloves, he decided to turn back and head to his chambers. Now that the guardians were defeated for good, he could go back and rest. He wouldn't be able to summon anything in the mirror anyway.
Ineluki went back down the corridor, looking more like a tired young man then a feared King. As he disappeared around the corner, he failed to notice a small shadow that had moved from its hiding place in the rumbles. The thing let out a small 'pip' and stretched its wings to follow the man.
*********
The first thought Heero had when he woke up was 'ouch'. His side hurt like hell and he wondered why until he remembered the conflict and the arrow. He snapped his head up in alarm, senses alert to any movement, only to widen his eyes. The last thing he knew was that he had been fighting in a snowstorm, had been injured and had fainted. Now, he was in a forest and the little bits of sky he could see were a pure dark blue sparkling with stars.
The next thing he noticed was that Wufei was walking before him, apparently searching for something and that Duo was missing. Worry gripping his heart, he pushed Wing beside Shadowfax. The mare jumped when she felt the boy's legs tighten on her belly but gladly complied.
"Wufei!" Heero called when he was just beside him. The Chinese boy had been so deep in his thoughts that he didn't see the horse get closer until he heard his name.
" Yuy! Are you feeling all right?" Wufei demanded, straining his neck in search of an injury other than the one at his side.
" Fine enough. Where is Duo?" Heero shot back, waving the matter of his injury away.
Wufei lowered his head, in a loss of words. Heero frowned but waited patiently for the answer although a bad feeling was nagging him. Fumbling with his reigns, Wufei took a deep breath and started to speak, avoiding eye contact with Heero.
" He, disappeared." he finally managed to say.
" Sorry?" the Japanese boy said, a feeble tremble in the voice.
" After you fainted, you fell off your horse and Duo went to check on you, but a soldier blocked him. I didn't see the details, but Shinigami got scared of something and bolted away. By the time I was finished with the enemies, he was gone." Wufei explained, the words hard fought to get out.
" Why didn't you search for him?" the Perfect Soldier asked next, his voice so cold and calm that the snow looked pretty hot. Wufei shivered.
" I couldn't.you, you were bleeding to death, I couldn't see a meter away in the damned storm and, and I couldn't leave you there! I had to hurry!" the Chinese boy literally yelled the last part, furry getting him. He knew it was his fault, but he couldn't do anything about it now.
" I'm going back." Heero stated and turned Wing around.
" Hum hum! Is he that good friend of yours, Master Wufei?"
Heero jumped on his saddle and looked on his side. What had looked like a big, normal tree was now a big, abnormal talking tree.
*********
Duo's eyelids fluttered a little before opening. He was lying on something soft and warm. He tried to recognize his surroundings, but failed. Sitting up, he looked around in alarm. He was sitting in a small but comfortable bed in a little room. A single lamp hung on the other side of the room, throwing it's dancing shadows on the rock walls. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to understand. The last thing he remembered was falling from Shinigami in the snow.
Jumping down the bed, he had to grab the wall in order not to fall. Just when the dizzy spell disappeared, a voice rang out.
" I wouldn't do that if I were you."
His soldier reflex kicking in, he turned around sharply, only to be attacked by another and worse case of dizziness. This time, if it hadn't been for two powerful hands holding him up, he would have kissed the ground.
" Young men, all the same! Now, if you would lie back down." the stranger said while gently pushing Duo back on his bed.
The braided boy looked at the man speaking in curiosity. He had to be in his early forties and had brown eyes sparkling with wisdom. His short black hair streaked with gray ones were placed in spikes, making an odd mix of young and old. Even if he was crouched, Duo could see that he was very tall.
" Say, before I forget my manners, I am Zares Greenhoof, doctor and scientist of Rohan. I have been assigned to insure your recovery." the tall man introduced himself after making sure that Duo's fever wasn't too high. " You've got a pretty bad fever here, but it's coming down, slowly. When you were brought in, I never thought you'd make it through the night. You're one though little guy! But I have to say that I just had to look at you to know that you're in good shape. I've seen many young men in pretty good shape but you beat them all! I couldn't believe it at first when they barged in here with you and said it was an emergency and that they couldn't afford to loose a soldier as good as you. With your braid I thought you were a girl! But I just needed one look at your hands and I immediately knew that you were indeed a good fighter. And maybe something more, like some bits of a thief?"
When Zares finally stopped talking, Duo shook his head in amazement. For one, he rarely knew anyone who could talk as much as him without breathing. Secondly, he was right with all he had said.
" My brain's not too functional right now so excuse me if I didn't understand half of your speech. My name's Duo Maxwell and I'd like it of you didn't spread out that I have indeed been a thief when I was young." the braided boy replied and tried to stand up again.
" Now, now, calm down. As your assigned doctor, I order you to stay in bed and SLEEP. I may sound light, but you are still in a critical state. If you refuse to sleep in the next five minutes, I'll give you something that'll knock you out for a good day. That reminds me, you have to take your medicine. Here." Zares ordered quickly, not making a single pause between his sentences.
Walking away, he went to a dark corner Duo hadn't noticed. There was a small table littered with books and parchments. The tall man rummaged through the mess before finding what he was looking for. Going back to the bed, he showed Duo a small red nut.
" Do I have to eat it?" Duo demanded untrustingly.
" No, it's to put in your hair as a decoration. Of course you have to eat it." Zared said, exasperated, and forced the nut in Duo's palm.
Duo looked at it for a while but didn't dare it eat. There was something about that nut that prevented him from putting it in his mouth.
" For the love of God! Is it too hard? Do I have to masticate it for you first? Now eat before I force you!" the black-haired man menaced playfully. A smile spread on his face as he watched the braided boy eat it with a grimace. " See? It wasn't hard, wasn't it? Good night for now."
Duo wasn't able to place two words together before he fell asleep.
***********
The expression Heero wore at that precise moment was worth all the money in the world. Even with all his training, he couldn't prevent the pure surprised look to break his Perfect Soldier mask. Wufei let out a small snicker and moved Shadowfax towards him. The Japanese boy hadn't moved when he reached him.
" Treebeard, this is one of the friends I've been looking for, Heero Yuy. Yuy, this is Treebeard, or Fangorn, oldest Ent and leader of the Fangorn Forest." Wufei introduced, barely containing his laughter. For Yuy to not be able to hide his emotions, it had to be a serious shock!
The tree man waited patiently for Heero to say something but when it was evident that he wasn't about to get an answer, he took the first step.
" So you are one of the precious friends Master Wufei has been searching. Hum hum, you do not need to be so shocked! You are making hasty judgments. Hasty, as always. Now, where are my manners? If you would like to follow me to my Ent House, it is barely fifty steps away." Fangorn boomed with his deep voice. That seemed to take Heero out of his trance. He turned to look at Wufei.
" Is he really.?" he managed to say.
" Yes, he is the one I've told you about. I suggest we follow him. The night is old and I am very tired." Wufei suggested and didn't wait for Heero before following Treebeard. The Perfect Soldier shook himself and joined them moments later.
********
Duo carefully stood up, making sure not to be too sudden. He knew he'd get dizzy and fall if he did and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. Zared had finally fallen asleep on his pile of paperwork. The doctor had strictly forbidden him to get out of bed until he was satisfied and it seemed he never was. His fever had gone down fast and the braided boy had felt his strength come back with his breath. Still, the tall man refused to let him go.
Shuddering against the coldness of the tiles on his bare feet, he moved silently towards the door. He wanted to talk to Aseldir badly and if it meant searching the whole castle, he would. He was worried about Wufei and especially Heero. He strongly believed that the arrow that had hit him had been poisoned. For the 'Perfect Soldier' to fall unconscious that fast because of a simple arrow, it had to be the same poison that Duo had gotten.
Duo pushed the wooden door as quietly as he could and winced when it creaked loudly. He hurried out and began to walk down the hall. The floor was horribly cold and it seemed to freeze him completely. He crossed his arms on his chest in a vain attempt to keep his warmth for himself. Outside, light snow was falling and the pilot remembered bitterly that it was winter.
He reached a staircase and meant to go downwards when a coughing fit got him. He had to lean against the wall as he was rocked by the coughs. His vision doubled for a few seconds and he stood there, resting a bit.
" Duo!"
The said boy cursed inwardly as Zared got out of the room and marched to him.
" What is in that head of yours?! It's winter and you go wandering around, bare-foot and not clothed properly! I told you not to go out. If you do that again, I'll strap you to your bed until the rope marks are carved in your skin forever! You're lucky my sleep his light or I would never have heard that door and your cough. Geez, you are the most troublesome sick person I've ever had to take care of. Now you go back in bed and tell me what got into you to go out!"
Duo complied half-heartedly. He had to admit that the warmth of the bed was appealing. Still, he desperately wanted to talk to Aseldir and it was not going to happen if he didn't do anything. He damned that 'over- sized mother hen' one last time before lying back in his bed.
**********
Heero stopped a second to wash the sweat off his forehead and catch his breath. It was early morning and the sun was pale in the horizon. The snow littering the ground had been stamped down by Treebeard's humongous feet and it allowed Heero to work easily. Since they had had a conversation with Treebeard, they had stayed at his 'house' for three days. The Japanese boy was growing tired. He was dead worried for Duo and all Teebeard could say was to wait until he got wind of where the braided pilot was. How, Heero didn't know, but Wufei assured him that it was trustworthy.
Grabbing his sword, he practiced a few swings to clear his mind. A cold breeze blew and chilled him but he ignored it unconsciously. Since they had arrived he felt as if his soldier reflexes were getting dulled by the unusual lack of fights and battles. Training was the only way he could think of for preventing further lowering of his reflexes and, consequently, re-training.
It was like a slap in the face. Heero just realized that he was getting used to this way of life. That simple thought had proven that he had been in Middle Earth for so long that he thought of it as a mere tourist country of Earth. His knees weakened and he sat heavily on the grass. For how long had they been here? For how long hadn't he piloted Wing Zero? For how long hadn't he even thought about the war and the scientist and OZ? Too long., he thought bitterly. And Quatre and Trowa? What had they become? They were fighting OZ alone now, would they be able to do it? Of course they would., he reminded himself harshly. Don't you dare doubt them just because you haven't seen them for a few months.
A few months? But how many? Thinking back, he tried to count using the events they had gone through. First, I was in Rivendel for what, three, four weeks with Duo? Then, we fled and met Tom and continued for about another three weeks, or was it four? Anyway, we came up in that ghost village with the fox girl. Heero shivered at the memory but resumed his line of thought. After that we got caught near Helm's Deep and fought for about two, three days? Wufei found us and we left and walked for a week or two until we got to the wolves' cave. Finally, we got attacked and I've been waiting here for three days. Summed up it makes.two or three months??? I can't have been that short, it just can't have.
At that very precise moment Wufei sat beside him and put his arms around his legs.
" What's wrong Yuy?"
Heero would have choked if it hadn't been for his habit of closing up any expression.
" It's too late, by the way. I've seen your face a few seconds ago and I know something is wrong." the Chinese boy continued matter-of-factly, greatly annoying his fellow pilot.
Heero cursed inwardly for his lack of control and decided it was time they got back into the less peaceful world of Earth. Still, he kept his mouth shut. He didn't felt like talking about his feelings, especially to Wufei. He had never did, maybe except a few times to Duo, and it wasn't going to start.
" Very well." Wufei said at length, understanding that it would be of no use. " But before you completely start to ignore me, Treebeard said Duo was somewhere in Rohan."
Heero immediately jumped at the statement and faced his fellow pilot. " How far is it?" he demanded coldly. He ignored the sudden look of anger on Wufei's face.
" About a day's walk from the border. Treebeard will bring us there. But I can't guaranty it'll be easy to get in." Wufei replied, fury burning in his eyes.
" Why?"
" I've had, a few problems with the local King."
*********
As soon as he reached his chambers, Ineluki let himself drop on the floor in exhaustion and leaned lazily against the wall. The climb up to his room had been the most painful one of his life. He was completely drained and the only thing keeping him awake was the constant pulse of the Black Elves' jewel against his neck.
Soon it wasn't enough and he started to slide into sweet oblivion. Wonder if I should pay a visit to my territory? Maybe if I'm lucky the kid will be there. he thought before he fell asleep.
He had barely shut an eyelid that a resonating cry came from in front of him. He stood up in surprise and looked around, suddenly quite awake, and searched for the intruder. Nobody should have been able to cross his protection spell!
Again the high-pitched cry. Ineluki looked down and could only jump back a step due to the wall. Just at his feet was a small creature looking horribly like a dragon. He was sitting on its hind legs, long wings spread away from its silver body. His little head was cocked on one side and his red eyes were staring up at him innocently. When Ineluki didn't appear to move anytime soon, he crouched and flapped his proportionally long wings to fly to his level.
" Pip?"
The Sea Lord got a hold of himself and carefully reached out with his hand. The little gray dragon chirped happily and started twirling around the King's arm, gradually getting closer to his shoulder. Ineluki could only stare in amazement. He was captivated by the shimmering scales of the beast and the way the dark gray became an inferno when it caught a torch's flame.
He was still admiring the dragon when he realized it was just beside his neck. The dragon yawned widely, showing small but viciously sharp teeth, curled around his neck and started sleeping.
Ineluki was frozen under the surprise. He brought a shaking hand to the beast and felt it there, alive and real. His breathing was regular as any while sleeping and his body hot. He gently tried to remove it but stopped when he felt it tighten his grip around his neck, starting to choke him.
Sighing deeply, he walked to his bed and slumped on it, just making the effort to remove his boots. He immediately fell asleep, the small dragon curled around his neck.
******* The end *******
YEAH!!! Finally!!! I repeat : I know I've taken a lot of time, but I've got no excuse. I just wasn't feeling like typing at all. Anyway, sincerely, don't expect the next one for quite some time. But don't worry, I WILL finish it.
A-chan
Warnings: Duo/Heero torture, if it really counts^^ Tiny itsy bitsy bits of violence, if you dig really far.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Lord of the Rings. All other characters are mine.
Special thanks to one of my faithful readers who gave me a few kicks to make me finish this chapter.^^;
Chapter 17:
Shadowfax was running the fastest he could with Wing trailing behind him. Wufei kept coaxing him faster and faster between long strings of Chinese curses. The snow was flowing under the horses' hooves in a soft cloud as they beat the cold white flakes. The wind was piercing him to the core like a thousand knives, but the fifth pilot ignored it. Heero was still unconscious, much unlike his usual habits and that proved more than any word that something was very wrong.
Finally spotting the rim of Fangorn forest, Wufei let out a deep sigh of relief and sucked in his breath as quickly. The trees were coated in an immaculate layer of snow that glittered in the early evening sun. From some branches hung long and perfectly transparent icicles that gave the trees a surreal look.
It's with deep reluctance that Wufei entered the forest and disturbed the perfection of the snow-covered ground only marked by some animal trail. Silence reigned like a warm blanket over the coldness of the scenery as the trio made its way through the maze formed by the trees. When they were just about to loose the edge from sight, Wufei stopped and turned around. He stared at it for a while before resuming his walk. His shoulders were never heavier than at that precise moment. Grief hung at his heart as his thoughts focused on a certain braided pilot he had left alone in the blizzard. He couldn't risk his and Heero's life for the simple hope of saving him. Wufei kept telling himself that Duo had many chances of surviving. Shinigami was with him and the American hadn't appeared to be injured. He turned those thoughts over and over in his head, hoping to convince himself.
Why did he feel like he did the worst treason in the world then?
********
Aseldir checked for the second time that Duo was safely strapped to Shinigami. He had found the boy lying on his front in the snow, unconscious, with his black stallion standing guard beside him. He was burning with a very bad fever and was breathing harshly. Shinigami had been pretty happy to see Aseldir arrive and was being very careful not to drop his precious load.
Jumping on his horse, Aseldir took Shinigami's reigns and started off at a fast trot. The red-haired soldier headed directly for Ronan. It was the closest city and he knew that they would greet him warmly, especially after their victory at Helm's Deep. They also had very competent doctors that would be able to heal the braided boy. Aseldir just hoped that he would get there in time. He knew where he was, but not how far. If he hadn't gotten lost on his way, he guessed he would be there by the following morning.
Looking up at the finally blue sky, he wished it had cleared sooner. Because of that, he lost the trail that had leaded him to Duo and that had probably been leading him to Wufei and Heero. He didn't know why they had left Duo in his possibly lethal position, but he hoped they were also all right.
His thoughts returning to his task, he hurried forward into the darkening night.
*********
Ineluki watched the dragon statues carefully. He could feel their power like a pulse in the air, suffocating and heavy. Although their eyes were closed, him being too far, the Sea Lord could discern the dark energy of life in the endless orbs. If he listened carefully, Ineluki was sure that he could hear their cold breath whistle in his ears.
Reluctant as he was, the King stepped forward. Suddenly, the statues' eyes burned and light up, illuminating the corridor in a blinding light accompanied by a shriek from another world. Ineluki stood against the assault and waited for the echoes to die down. Lowering his gloved hand from before his eyes, he took a deep breath and took another step. This time, the dragons' claws tightened their hold on the stone seats and it could be heard cracking. Their black wings shimmered in warning.
Ineluki gulped and removed his gloves. The guardians had become so strong that it was now impossible for the greatest wizard to get pass them. Still, he had to in order to be able to look in the Mirror of Sauron and see all of Middle Earth. Bringing his hands to his neck, he removed his chocker. He only did on very few occasions but this was one of such. He didn't like the emptiness the chocker left on his neck and so he quickly prepared for the fight. Instead of using the big red pearl in the foremost and biggest ring, he turned the necklace and placed his hand around a smaller ring containing a beautiful diamond on which was engraved the symbol of the black elves of his country.
The Sea Lord was very reluctant to use the jewel, but it was now his only choice. The power contained in the diamond was so powerful that it could very well kill him but once he had unleashed it on the dragon guardians, they would be rendered useless forever.
Raising his hands before himself, chocker held firmly in his palms, he emptied his mind and concentrated himself on gathering up the strength necessary to unleash the jewel's powers. His eyes closed tight, he forced his own spell in the necklace and released all of the gathered energy.
The effect was disastrous. Ineluki felt like his life was being sucked out of him as a blinding light shot out of the jewel. His hands trembled as he vainly tried to let go of the necklace burning his skin.
When the statues shrieked in alarm, Ineluki truly believed that his mind would be crushed under the shear pressure the spell was putting him under. He opened his eyes as a bolt of electricity ran down his spine, making him fall to his knees. The precious object still clutched tightly in his hand, he watched, half conscious, the statues dance. The light from the jewel lowered in intensity and everything grew foggy. Ineluki stared as two shapes seemed to curl and twist against some unknown force. Then, with a final cry and hit, the statues crumpled and fell. Ineluki fell with them with a shriek of pain as though the pain in his heart was the same as the guardians' when they died.
********
Aseldir was looking at the night stars when something disturbed his line of thoughts. Coming back to the present, he listened for the sound to come again. Nearly seconds after, a deep moan was heard. Turning around on his horse's back, the red-haired stared in amazement. The braided boy was moaning and mumbling intelligible things while still being unconscious. He soon stopped and the only word Aseldir managed to discern was : Tallien.
********
His eyelashes fluttered a few times before opening. The first thing Ineluki registered was that he was lying on his face on some hard and cold stone and that he was holding something warm in his hand. Pushing himself up with his hands, he sat cross-legged and rubbed his temple with his free hand. The walls were dancing and spinning as black spots danced before his eyes. It took some time before Ineluki remembered where he was and why. He looked closer and saw that the stone statues were now only a pile of rumbles.
Amazement evident in his eyes, Ineluki stood up slowly as another dizzy spell assaulted him. He was hurting everywhere and felt drained like never before. Putting the chocker back around his neck and taking his gloves, he decided to turn back and head to his chambers. Now that the guardians were defeated for good, he could go back and rest. He wouldn't be able to summon anything in the mirror anyway.
Ineluki went back down the corridor, looking more like a tired young man then a feared King. As he disappeared around the corner, he failed to notice a small shadow that had moved from its hiding place in the rumbles. The thing let out a small 'pip' and stretched its wings to follow the man.
*********
The first thought Heero had when he woke up was 'ouch'. His side hurt like hell and he wondered why until he remembered the conflict and the arrow. He snapped his head up in alarm, senses alert to any movement, only to widen his eyes. The last thing he knew was that he had been fighting in a snowstorm, had been injured and had fainted. Now, he was in a forest and the little bits of sky he could see were a pure dark blue sparkling with stars.
The next thing he noticed was that Wufei was walking before him, apparently searching for something and that Duo was missing. Worry gripping his heart, he pushed Wing beside Shadowfax. The mare jumped when she felt the boy's legs tighten on her belly but gladly complied.
"Wufei!" Heero called when he was just beside him. The Chinese boy had been so deep in his thoughts that he didn't see the horse get closer until he heard his name.
" Yuy! Are you feeling all right?" Wufei demanded, straining his neck in search of an injury other than the one at his side.
" Fine enough. Where is Duo?" Heero shot back, waving the matter of his injury away.
Wufei lowered his head, in a loss of words. Heero frowned but waited patiently for the answer although a bad feeling was nagging him. Fumbling with his reigns, Wufei took a deep breath and started to speak, avoiding eye contact with Heero.
" He, disappeared." he finally managed to say.
" Sorry?" the Japanese boy said, a feeble tremble in the voice.
" After you fainted, you fell off your horse and Duo went to check on you, but a soldier blocked him. I didn't see the details, but Shinigami got scared of something and bolted away. By the time I was finished with the enemies, he was gone." Wufei explained, the words hard fought to get out.
" Why didn't you search for him?" the Perfect Soldier asked next, his voice so cold and calm that the snow looked pretty hot. Wufei shivered.
" I couldn't.you, you were bleeding to death, I couldn't see a meter away in the damned storm and, and I couldn't leave you there! I had to hurry!" the Chinese boy literally yelled the last part, furry getting him. He knew it was his fault, but he couldn't do anything about it now.
" I'm going back." Heero stated and turned Wing around.
" Hum hum! Is he that good friend of yours, Master Wufei?"
Heero jumped on his saddle and looked on his side. What had looked like a big, normal tree was now a big, abnormal talking tree.
*********
Duo's eyelids fluttered a little before opening. He was lying on something soft and warm. He tried to recognize his surroundings, but failed. Sitting up, he looked around in alarm. He was sitting in a small but comfortable bed in a little room. A single lamp hung on the other side of the room, throwing it's dancing shadows on the rock walls. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to understand. The last thing he remembered was falling from Shinigami in the snow.
Jumping down the bed, he had to grab the wall in order not to fall. Just when the dizzy spell disappeared, a voice rang out.
" I wouldn't do that if I were you."
His soldier reflex kicking in, he turned around sharply, only to be attacked by another and worse case of dizziness. This time, if it hadn't been for two powerful hands holding him up, he would have kissed the ground.
" Young men, all the same! Now, if you would lie back down." the stranger said while gently pushing Duo back on his bed.
The braided boy looked at the man speaking in curiosity. He had to be in his early forties and had brown eyes sparkling with wisdom. His short black hair streaked with gray ones were placed in spikes, making an odd mix of young and old. Even if he was crouched, Duo could see that he was very tall.
" Say, before I forget my manners, I am Zares Greenhoof, doctor and scientist of Rohan. I have been assigned to insure your recovery." the tall man introduced himself after making sure that Duo's fever wasn't too high. " You've got a pretty bad fever here, but it's coming down, slowly. When you were brought in, I never thought you'd make it through the night. You're one though little guy! But I have to say that I just had to look at you to know that you're in good shape. I've seen many young men in pretty good shape but you beat them all! I couldn't believe it at first when they barged in here with you and said it was an emergency and that they couldn't afford to loose a soldier as good as you. With your braid I thought you were a girl! But I just needed one look at your hands and I immediately knew that you were indeed a good fighter. And maybe something more, like some bits of a thief?"
When Zares finally stopped talking, Duo shook his head in amazement. For one, he rarely knew anyone who could talk as much as him without breathing. Secondly, he was right with all he had said.
" My brain's not too functional right now so excuse me if I didn't understand half of your speech. My name's Duo Maxwell and I'd like it of you didn't spread out that I have indeed been a thief when I was young." the braided boy replied and tried to stand up again.
" Now, now, calm down. As your assigned doctor, I order you to stay in bed and SLEEP. I may sound light, but you are still in a critical state. If you refuse to sleep in the next five minutes, I'll give you something that'll knock you out for a good day. That reminds me, you have to take your medicine. Here." Zares ordered quickly, not making a single pause between his sentences.
Walking away, he went to a dark corner Duo hadn't noticed. There was a small table littered with books and parchments. The tall man rummaged through the mess before finding what he was looking for. Going back to the bed, he showed Duo a small red nut.
" Do I have to eat it?" Duo demanded untrustingly.
" No, it's to put in your hair as a decoration. Of course you have to eat it." Zared said, exasperated, and forced the nut in Duo's palm.
Duo looked at it for a while but didn't dare it eat. There was something about that nut that prevented him from putting it in his mouth.
" For the love of God! Is it too hard? Do I have to masticate it for you first? Now eat before I force you!" the black-haired man menaced playfully. A smile spread on his face as he watched the braided boy eat it with a grimace. " See? It wasn't hard, wasn't it? Good night for now."
Duo wasn't able to place two words together before he fell asleep.
***********
The expression Heero wore at that precise moment was worth all the money in the world. Even with all his training, he couldn't prevent the pure surprised look to break his Perfect Soldier mask. Wufei let out a small snicker and moved Shadowfax towards him. The Japanese boy hadn't moved when he reached him.
" Treebeard, this is one of the friends I've been looking for, Heero Yuy. Yuy, this is Treebeard, or Fangorn, oldest Ent and leader of the Fangorn Forest." Wufei introduced, barely containing his laughter. For Yuy to not be able to hide his emotions, it had to be a serious shock!
The tree man waited patiently for Heero to say something but when it was evident that he wasn't about to get an answer, he took the first step.
" So you are one of the precious friends Master Wufei has been searching. Hum hum, you do not need to be so shocked! You are making hasty judgments. Hasty, as always. Now, where are my manners? If you would like to follow me to my Ent House, it is barely fifty steps away." Fangorn boomed with his deep voice. That seemed to take Heero out of his trance. He turned to look at Wufei.
" Is he really.?" he managed to say.
" Yes, he is the one I've told you about. I suggest we follow him. The night is old and I am very tired." Wufei suggested and didn't wait for Heero before following Treebeard. The Perfect Soldier shook himself and joined them moments later.
********
Duo carefully stood up, making sure not to be too sudden. He knew he'd get dizzy and fall if he did and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. Zared had finally fallen asleep on his pile of paperwork. The doctor had strictly forbidden him to get out of bed until he was satisfied and it seemed he never was. His fever had gone down fast and the braided boy had felt his strength come back with his breath. Still, the tall man refused to let him go.
Shuddering against the coldness of the tiles on his bare feet, he moved silently towards the door. He wanted to talk to Aseldir badly and if it meant searching the whole castle, he would. He was worried about Wufei and especially Heero. He strongly believed that the arrow that had hit him had been poisoned. For the 'Perfect Soldier' to fall unconscious that fast because of a simple arrow, it had to be the same poison that Duo had gotten.
Duo pushed the wooden door as quietly as he could and winced when it creaked loudly. He hurried out and began to walk down the hall. The floor was horribly cold and it seemed to freeze him completely. He crossed his arms on his chest in a vain attempt to keep his warmth for himself. Outside, light snow was falling and the pilot remembered bitterly that it was winter.
He reached a staircase and meant to go downwards when a coughing fit got him. He had to lean against the wall as he was rocked by the coughs. His vision doubled for a few seconds and he stood there, resting a bit.
" Duo!"
The said boy cursed inwardly as Zared got out of the room and marched to him.
" What is in that head of yours?! It's winter and you go wandering around, bare-foot and not clothed properly! I told you not to go out. If you do that again, I'll strap you to your bed until the rope marks are carved in your skin forever! You're lucky my sleep his light or I would never have heard that door and your cough. Geez, you are the most troublesome sick person I've ever had to take care of. Now you go back in bed and tell me what got into you to go out!"
Duo complied half-heartedly. He had to admit that the warmth of the bed was appealing. Still, he desperately wanted to talk to Aseldir and it was not going to happen if he didn't do anything. He damned that 'over- sized mother hen' one last time before lying back in his bed.
**********
Heero stopped a second to wash the sweat off his forehead and catch his breath. It was early morning and the sun was pale in the horizon. The snow littering the ground had been stamped down by Treebeard's humongous feet and it allowed Heero to work easily. Since they had had a conversation with Treebeard, they had stayed at his 'house' for three days. The Japanese boy was growing tired. He was dead worried for Duo and all Teebeard could say was to wait until he got wind of where the braided pilot was. How, Heero didn't know, but Wufei assured him that it was trustworthy.
Grabbing his sword, he practiced a few swings to clear his mind. A cold breeze blew and chilled him but he ignored it unconsciously. Since they had arrived he felt as if his soldier reflexes were getting dulled by the unusual lack of fights and battles. Training was the only way he could think of for preventing further lowering of his reflexes and, consequently, re-training.
It was like a slap in the face. Heero just realized that he was getting used to this way of life. That simple thought had proven that he had been in Middle Earth for so long that he thought of it as a mere tourist country of Earth. His knees weakened and he sat heavily on the grass. For how long had they been here? For how long hadn't he piloted Wing Zero? For how long hadn't he even thought about the war and the scientist and OZ? Too long., he thought bitterly. And Quatre and Trowa? What had they become? They were fighting OZ alone now, would they be able to do it? Of course they would., he reminded himself harshly. Don't you dare doubt them just because you haven't seen them for a few months.
A few months? But how many? Thinking back, he tried to count using the events they had gone through. First, I was in Rivendel for what, three, four weeks with Duo? Then, we fled and met Tom and continued for about another three weeks, or was it four? Anyway, we came up in that ghost village with the fox girl. Heero shivered at the memory but resumed his line of thought. After that we got caught near Helm's Deep and fought for about two, three days? Wufei found us and we left and walked for a week or two until we got to the wolves' cave. Finally, we got attacked and I've been waiting here for three days. Summed up it makes.two or three months??? I can't have been that short, it just can't have.
At that very precise moment Wufei sat beside him and put his arms around his legs.
" What's wrong Yuy?"
Heero would have choked if it hadn't been for his habit of closing up any expression.
" It's too late, by the way. I've seen your face a few seconds ago and I know something is wrong." the Chinese boy continued matter-of-factly, greatly annoying his fellow pilot.
Heero cursed inwardly for his lack of control and decided it was time they got back into the less peaceful world of Earth. Still, he kept his mouth shut. He didn't felt like talking about his feelings, especially to Wufei. He had never did, maybe except a few times to Duo, and it wasn't going to start.
" Very well." Wufei said at length, understanding that it would be of no use. " But before you completely start to ignore me, Treebeard said Duo was somewhere in Rohan."
Heero immediately jumped at the statement and faced his fellow pilot. " How far is it?" he demanded coldly. He ignored the sudden look of anger on Wufei's face.
" About a day's walk from the border. Treebeard will bring us there. But I can't guaranty it'll be easy to get in." Wufei replied, fury burning in his eyes.
" Why?"
" I've had, a few problems with the local King."
*********
As soon as he reached his chambers, Ineluki let himself drop on the floor in exhaustion and leaned lazily against the wall. The climb up to his room had been the most painful one of his life. He was completely drained and the only thing keeping him awake was the constant pulse of the Black Elves' jewel against his neck.
Soon it wasn't enough and he started to slide into sweet oblivion. Wonder if I should pay a visit to my territory? Maybe if I'm lucky the kid will be there. he thought before he fell asleep.
He had barely shut an eyelid that a resonating cry came from in front of him. He stood up in surprise and looked around, suddenly quite awake, and searched for the intruder. Nobody should have been able to cross his protection spell!
Again the high-pitched cry. Ineluki looked down and could only jump back a step due to the wall. Just at his feet was a small creature looking horribly like a dragon. He was sitting on its hind legs, long wings spread away from its silver body. His little head was cocked on one side and his red eyes were staring up at him innocently. When Ineluki didn't appear to move anytime soon, he crouched and flapped his proportionally long wings to fly to his level.
" Pip?"
The Sea Lord got a hold of himself and carefully reached out with his hand. The little gray dragon chirped happily and started twirling around the King's arm, gradually getting closer to his shoulder. Ineluki could only stare in amazement. He was captivated by the shimmering scales of the beast and the way the dark gray became an inferno when it caught a torch's flame.
He was still admiring the dragon when he realized it was just beside his neck. The dragon yawned widely, showing small but viciously sharp teeth, curled around his neck and started sleeping.
Ineluki was frozen under the surprise. He brought a shaking hand to the beast and felt it there, alive and real. His breathing was regular as any while sleeping and his body hot. He gently tried to remove it but stopped when he felt it tighten his grip around his neck, starting to choke him.
Sighing deeply, he walked to his bed and slumped on it, just making the effort to remove his boots. He immediately fell asleep, the small dragon curled around his neck.
******* The end *******
YEAH!!! Finally!!! I repeat : I know I've taken a lot of time, but I've got no excuse. I just wasn't feeling like typing at all. Anyway, sincerely, don't expect the next one for quite some time. But don't worry, I WILL finish it.
A-chan