AN: Hooray another chapter to look forward too! Oh yes, this chapter will have a twist! I promise that you will all just love it! It could be the chapter you were all waiting for…maybe. Well enough with that, onto the story!
I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.
{-}
That night, Heero lay awake under the canopy of the trees. He could hear Trowa moving about in the tree next to him. The gypsy preferred the comfort of its branches. Heero could also hear Duo's soft snores just a few feet away.
Despite the beautiful night, his heart was troubled. Yes, Heero was actually starting to believe he had one. He felt so strange being so close to these people. They acted like his companions, like real friends. If only he knew how to react around them. He even found himself opening up more, especially to Relena. The other day he had told her how he got his name. Heero had never mentioned the subject to anyone before, not even his four fellow warriors. Why had he told Relena?
She puzzled him greatly. Earlier that day, when they had been showing her self-defense moves, Duo offered to demonstrate with Hilde. He had grabbed the servant girl by the waist. When it came Relena's turn to do the same, Heero found himself grabbing her in the same fashion Duo had held Hilde. Why did it bother him that another man should touch her, even if it was just Duo?
He rolled over on his side, the emotions twirling about in his head. What was wrong with him? Why should a girl make him feel so…different? No, that was not the right word. Heero sighed. For once in his life, he could find no answer for himself.
The sound of the cottage door opening caused him to freeze. He closed his eyes pretending to be asleep. Small, quiet footsteps padded across the soft ground. They were approaching him. Heero tried to steady his breathing as she knelt down next to him. He could tell by her scent that it was Relena. He noticed that she always managed to smell like a rose. Something soft grazed his cheek; it was a hand, Relena's hand. He nearly froze at the gesture. What was she doing?
As if she sensed his insecurity, Relena pulled her hand away quickly. He heard her sigh and stand up. Her soft footsteps padded across the ground once more, but to Heero's surprise, she did not return to the cottage. Opening his eyes, Heero looked around carefully.
She stood there, under the trees, her small form silhouetted in the moonlight. All at once she took his breath away, just as she did that night on the balcony. What was it about her presence? Did she too possess some kind of mysterious power? No, she was just Relena, an ordinary woman, just as himself. It was like Martin had said; women do have a strange effect upon men.
"What are you doing?" he heard himself asking suddenly. His tone sounded much harsher than what it should have been. The poor girl jumped at his voice.
"Heero…I didn't know you were awake," she replied shakily.
"Why are you out of the cottage?" he somewhat demanded.
"I couldn't sleep and I just kept thinking about how beautiful of a night it was, that is all."
"Hn," he sniffed.
"Did you ever wish that you were someone else Heero; a different person in this world perhaps?"
"You are who you are," he said curtly.
"Oh I understand that all very well," she replied. "But don't you sometimes wish for life to be easier or simpler? I love the way it is out here in the forest, so peaceful and simple. I sometimes find myself wanting to be a dairy maid or perhaps a servant girl. Things just seem like they would be less complicated."
"It wouldn't change anything, Relena."
"What do you mean?" she asked startled.
"Things will always be complicated. No matter what station you are in life. Do you think life was any easier for Duo or Hilde? What about Trowa as a gypsy? Open your eyes Relena, it is difficult all over, not just for people who are born into power."
She stared at him shocked. She felt foolish and ashamed. How dare he? She was just imagining things. Need he make her feel guilty over her imagination? Tears threatened to pour out from her eyes. He was staring at her harshly. She had not meant any harm by the comment.
"I am sorry if I offended you in any way, Heero. But, must you always be so cruel to me?"
She turned and walked back inside, not wanting him to see her red eyes. Heero stared after her.
{-}
The next morning, Relena seemed to have forgotten everything. She was cheerful and smiling. Heero tried to ignore her throughout the day. His encounter with her the previous night had left him angry. Did she really need to remind him of how empty he was? Yes, even he was aware of the fact that he was a monster, but must everyone point it out. He was only trying to make a logical point last night, nothing more.
Duo noticed his stoic friend's glare as they trained. The braided boy grinned goofily.
"What's wrong Heero? Did you and the princess have a little quarrel?"
"Duo…" warned Trowa.
"That is none of your business," snarled Heero as he struck out with his sword against a straw dummy they had designed for training.
"Look," smiled Duo, "I'm not trying to pry into you and your lover's business; I am just trying to help you. You see women are complicated, and sometimes it helps to talk about things…"
"She is not my lover!" snapped Heero.
Duo frowned, "Oh come on! Anyone can see that you have eyes for her!"
"Hn," grunted Heero as he continued training.
"Duo, just let it be," said Trowa quietly.
But, Duo persisted even more. "Heero, can't you see that Relena is crazy about you? I mean you wouldn't want to have a beautiful queen to be yours someday? All I'm saying is look at her. You can tell that she was taken with you the moment you two met."
"That's enough, Duo. This is the end of this conversation."
"Fine, suit yourself, but one day Heero Yuy, you will think otherwise."
The conversation ended there. The boys continued on with their training. An hour later, Trowa found himself teaching Duo a back flip. Trowa grimaced again and again as the cheerful man landed on his rear end instead of his feet. However, Duo was an avid learner and soon enough he was beginning to get the hang of it.
"This isn't so bad, and it will come in handy!" exclaimed Duo as he flipped through the air with grace. When he landed perfectly for the first time without falling, Trowa clapped his hands together.
"You are an excellent pupil," said Trowa quietly.
"Well, I only pick the best teachers around," Duo grinned as he performed another flip. After he had landed he stood up to look around. "Hilde! Where are you going?" he exclaimed as he saw the three women heading off into the forest. This statement caused Trowa and Heero to look in their direction.
"Just out for a little walk, why?" answered the young woman.
Duo jogged over to meet them, "You can't go out by yourselves! What if something was to happen and we aren't there to protect you!"
Relena butted in, "We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. Besides, we won't be gone for long. I only wish to get away from this cottage a little while. Besides, I want to pick some wildflowers for a balm I am making."
Heero walked up, "Relena, I refuse to let you go unattended. I'm going with you."
"Heero, Lucrezia will take care of me and Hilde also. Do not think us so weak." She glared at him, challenging him to say more to her.
Heero narrowed his Prussian eyes, "Fine, go ahead and go, but don't cry to me if you get hurt."
Relena turned on her heel and walked off without a word, Hilde and Noin on her tail.
Heero crossed his arms as he watched them leave. Trowa came up and rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Everything will be fine with Noin, you will see," said the gypsy.
"She is nothing but a stubborn girl," growled Heero as he went back to his training.
Duo looked at Trowa with a grin.
"What?" asked Trowa.
"Trowa, I think our Heero is in love."
Trowa shook his head and walked away.
{-}
Wufei yelled at his troops. They were lazy and in terrible shape. He was unsure of himself. How would he be able to pull them together within a matter of days? He walked through the ranks of men, shouting at the top of his lungs,
"A true warrior does not know pain! He does not understand the meaning of defeat! A true warrior accepts the fact that death is just another obstacle to conquer, not something to be feared. Do not fear death! If you do, then do not stand here in this army!"
The men were silent. Some shuffled their feet slightly, but stood to attention when Wufei's sharp gaze fell upon them.
"How badly do you want to fight?" continued the oriental man. "That is the question you must ask yourselves, for you do not fight right now for a king, nor do you fight for the property of a piece of land. You are not going to fight to follow a feudal lord!"
Wufei jumped up onto a box and unsheathed his katana. The men moved back fearfully.
"I fight," said Wufei, "to avenge my family and to avenge the families in all of Mythica who have suffered. I fight to free my land from the tyranny that has taken hold of it! Do not fight for your own selfish reasons, but for the good of all of Mythica!"
He raised the katana above his head. Looking up into the sun he wished a blessing upon them,
"I ask that Cairo, the Guardian of fire, and of the sun, protect you in all your battles! May the Lady of the Spring give you strength! I ask that Celeste, Guardian and daughter of the earth, grant you wisdom, and that Mathis, ruler of the sky bestow upon you honor."
Each soldier bowed his head deeply. Wufei continued when he saw hope glimmer in their eyes,
"Lastly, I ask that the Guardian of my own people, the Dragon, give you courage. We shall fight together and we shall fight as one. We shall fight for Mythica!"
A cheer rose from the crowd of men. Wufei lowered his katana and whispered under his breath, "For you my brother."
A hand gently touched him on the shoulder. Wufei looked over to see Quatre. The blonde haired man spoke softly,
"For all of our brothers."
Wufei nodded his head and smirked.
{-}
The three women approached the destination that Hilde had spotted earlier that week: a beautiful waterfall that ran through the river. Relena gasped at the magnificent sight. Never in her life had she ever seen such beauty. It was breathtaking as the water ran over the falls. Secretly, Relena wished that Heero and the others could be there to share the view with them.
"Relena, come on!" shouted Hilde as she and Noin began to climb down to the river bank.
Relena followed behind them. She smiled. Hilde had the ability to make everyone enjoy themselves. Noin was smiling as she reached out her hands and touched the clear blue water. Hilde laughed as she splashed the woman. Noin responded by splashing more water on Hilde. Soon, an all out fight ensued. Relena laughed at them, then, turned her gaze to the waterfall. She noticed an open ledge behind the cascading water. Her curiosity getting the best of her, Relena decided to investigate.
She made her way over to the ledge. It was quite a jump from the bank to the ledge, but Relena would not be beaten. She backed up and started with a run. In a graceful leap, Relena made her way over the water and onto the rock platform. Relena smiled at her efforts. The roar of the falls echoed in her ears. The water fell right before her eyes and she could feel mist spraying lightly on her body.
Something caught the corner of her eye. She turned to face a small entrance to a cave. A light burned brightly within it. She began to walk towards it, as if entranced, reaching out her hand…
Meanwhile…
Noin could not recall the last time she had ever done anything so childish. If Zechs saw her now, he would probably be ashamed of the way she was acting. But she was changing; even she was willing to admit it. The people she had come to know were truly a different breed of people. They enjoyed living life to its fullest, something she had not done in years. The more she though about it, the more Noin understood that she had felt trapped under Lord Treize's services. Was it right for her to feel this way? Was she betraying the on she loved?
This thought made Noin stop. Hilde looked at her curiously, but soon shrugged it off as she stood up to wipe off her dampened clothes. Noin sighed. What was she becoming? Suddenly a thought popped into her head. She turned to look at Hilde,
"Where is Relena?"
Hilde looked around. The girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Relena!" cried Hilde.
Noin rose to her feet, "Relena!"
The two women began a frantic search around the bank. Finding nothing, they looked at each other in fear.
"Quickly," said Noin, "run back to the cottage and get the others. I will stay here and keep looking!"
Hilde nodded and ran as quick as her legs would carry her. Heero will be furious, thought Hilde as she continued on her journey.
{-}
Heero was agitated. He could feel that something was amiss. He paced around the cottage repeatedly. It had been nearly an hour since Relena, Hilde, and Noin had left. Should he worry so much? Perhaps everything was fine. No, he shook his head, something was wrong he could sense it.
A few minutes later, a shouting voice confirmed his suspicions. Heero ran outside. It was Hilde.
"Heero!" she shouted.
"What's happened?" asked Duo.
"Relena's disappeared! We looked and looked but she's nowhere to be found. Noin is still looking for her right now."
"Why did you let her out of your sight?" snapped Heero as he grabbed his sword.
"She was there one minute and the next she was gone! It was an accident…"
"Where were you," he interrupted.
"By the falls at the river bank, we thought that…"
But Heero didn't let her finish. He was already well on his way with a panting Hilde, Duo, and Trowa on his heels. Minutes later he arrived to see Noin searching the river furiously. Heero ran up to the woman.
"Where did you last see her?"
Noin pointed, "Over there on the west side of the bank, by the rocks."
Heero nodded and ran over there. The others followed. Gently, the warrior knelt to the ground searching. He found the soft marks of her slippers and began to follow their path. They led to the waterfall…
{-}
Relena felt herself falling. She was in a dark place, the light was gone. She landed on the ground roughly. Rolling over on her side she grunted. Peering through the dark, she found that she could see nothing at all. Scared she tried to calm herself.
Suddenly, the light came again. She gazed at it in wonder. Bright and sparkling like a rainbow, it came towards her. All at once, Relena felt her fear leave her body. The glowing orb drew itself closer. Cautiously, Relena stretched out her hand to touch it. Her fingertips grazed its smooth surface, and all at once it shone brightly and the dark place she was lighted in the brilliance of the sun.
Shielding her eyes, Relena struggled to look in front of her, there was someone standing there. Blinking, Relena gazed up at the person and gasped. It was a handsome man, with hair gold like honey. His eyes were a vivid green and his handsome features seemed unreal. She gasped at the sight of him. He stared down at her.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Relena rose to her feet slowly, "I am…Relena."
"What are you doing here all the way in this cave?"
"I…I saw a light. It moved in the air all by itself. I followed it."
The man laughed, "You followed the bauble."
"What is a bauble?"
"A magical light created by the Fairies. It flies with a will of its own and is sure to never burn out, even in the darkest cavern such as this."
Relena looked at the same light she saw floated into the man's hand. He cupped it gently, then, threw it up in the air again to let it roam around.
Relena smiled, "It's beautiful."
"Yes," replied the man, "you are."
She looked at him, quite shocked and blushed. He took her hand and kissed it, then, bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Anton. I reside in this part of the forest."
"Nice to meet you," she said shyly.
"What is a young woman, such as you, doing out here all alone?"
Relena mentally slapped herself, "Oh but I am not alone! I have friends by the river bank, near the falls. They are probably worried about me!"
He laughed, "Fear not, I shall escort you back to your friends at once. Allow me," he said as he took her arm into his. She looked at him wryly before she slowly followed him.
{-}
"She's gone beneath the falls," stated Heero. "We'll have to jump onto that ledge."
"What in the world was she doing?" asked Hilde out loud. They were all wondering the same question.
Heero stood and nodded for Trowa to go ahead and make the jump. Just as the acrobat was about to make the leap, a startled Relena emerged from the dark ledge, her arm guided by an unknown man. Immediately, Heero drew his sword, Trowa his daggers, Noin her crossbow, while Duo shoved Hilde behind him and pulled out his scythe.
Relena looked slightly startled at their reaction, but soon smiled and turned to Anton.
"Thank you so much for showing me the way back," she said sweetly.
Confused, the others lowered their weapons. Heero glared at the man whom she was addressing. Relena turned and addressed her friends.
"Everyone, this is Anton. He helped me."
Anton nodded to everyone. Hen then spoke, "I found Relena somewhat stranded. I felt it was my duty, as a gentleman, to escort her back to her party." He smiled.
Duo shrugged his shoulders, "Well you seem like an alright guy to me!" Hilde jabbed him with her elbow. Duo cried out, "What? He does!"
Anton flashed another rather brilliant smile. "I see that you are cautious with whom you trust. Please let me assure you that all is well. I do not follow Lord Treize nor do I approve of his methods."
He helped Relena jump over to the bank to stand with the companions. He continued, "If you would like, I can lead you to my home. It is just on top of the falls. It is a sort of a safe haven for refugees of the wars. I invite you to feast with me and my other guests. I assure you it will be entertaining."
Before anyone else could reply, Relena looked at each of them. She could certainly not turn down the offer, not after his courtesy manners.
"We…we would love to attend," she said.
"Very well," said Anton, "follow me."
The group followed the man into the forest and up a hill. They walked in silence, for the most part, wondering where their destination should lead them. Heero walked beside Relena, making sure she wouldn't leave his sight.
"Heero?" she asked timidly.
"Hn."
"Are you angry with me?"
He stopped to look at her, "You acted foolishly letting everyone believe you were in danger."
"I am sorry I didn't know; it all happened so quickly. Besides, I wasn't in danger at all, Anton helped me."
"That's not the point, Relena. Did you ever stop to think of what might have happened if he wasn't there?"
She stared at him for a moment, turning her sapphire gaze to the ground. "I am sorry, I promise to never let it happen again."
Heero looked at her sternly, "Relena, I only care what happens to you. My mission is to protect you. You have to allow me to do that."
"A mission, is that all I am to you?" she demanded sadly, her gaze still on the ground.
He studied her closely. What was she getting at? Where was this entire conversation leading? Heero gazed ahead of him. The others had already outdistanced themselves.
"Come on, Relena, we are falling behind."
{-}
Anton's haven was the most spectacular place anyone had ever seen. They had to cross the river on a ferry first, then, walk a little ways longer into the forest, but suddenly there it was. Under a beautiful wood archway covered with flowers they entered. Each member of the party gazed in wonder. It was not a simple home they had come to visit, but an entire community full of people! Not, just people though, there were also pixies and animals, and other sort of magic folk that were rare to the human eye in Mythica.
"This is my home," explained Anton as he led them.
"What is this place?" asked Hilde in wonder.
"A safe haven for those who were once threatened by Lord Treize," said Anton, "Somehow, the people or creatures found their way to me to seek shelter from Treize's tyranny."
"There are so many of them," gasped Relena. "It reminds me very much of the city; how all the refugees sought a place to hide from the War."
"Yes, well, there are many more," said Anton gravely.
He led them to a building. When they entered, they were amazed to see row after row of hospital beds. However, very few of them were filled. Anton made his way over to one of the occupied beds. It was a young girl, no older than seven, who lay with a heavy bandage around her stomach.
"What happened to her?" asked Trowa.
"She was just brought to me yesterday. Her village was destroyed and she was the sole survivor. Both her parents were killed. She was brought to me by her dog. You see, animals have a sort of sixth sense about this place. They are my most beloved friends and tell me everything. Her injuries are great, but she will live thanks to him," smiled Anton as he pointed to a yellow dog on the other side of the bed. The animal was lying down with his head in his paws. "I assured him that she would be well, but he has insisted on staying by her side."
They left the girl's bedside and walked outside once more. The group watched as the people of Anton's haven walked along merrily as if there was not a care in the world. Everyone seemed to help everyone else out, even the tiny pixies. Relena laughed as a pink pixie flew about her face. The creature looked at her curiously, then, flew away.
"Anton," began Relena, "have you healed all these people?"
"Yes," he answered. "They all find their way to me somehow, no matter how painful their injuries. Most of them do not even know the path they follow. It is just something within them that keeps telling their hearts to travel in my direction."
"But how do you manage to cure even the slightest injuries without supplies?" questioned Hilde. "It cannot be easy to gain access to supplies from here!"
"That is my little secret, but since you ask, I shall share it with you," he winked. "You see, when I was a child, I was orphaned when my village was plundered in a raid. Both my parents were killed and I had no where to go, being only of two years. However, I was saved by a creature so beautiful and fair that I cannot even begin to describe her to you. Her name was Celeste, a fairy in Queen Laetitia of Alderon's court."
"A fairy? But the fair-folk are rarely seen among the mortals!" exclaimed Duo.
"You are correct," smiled Anton, "they are fearful that mortals will give away their many secrets or seek to pluck their beautiful wings for money. But Celeste, seeing how I was no older than a babe, took me in. Being so young, I would never have any recollection of my parents nor would I be able to tell anyone of where I was being taken. Celeste raised me and I grew into what you see today. However, when it came time for me to go out on my own, I became hesitant. You see, really, I am of no station in life. I am a simple man with simple needs. Celeste knew of my dilemma and gave me special herbs, spices, and other healing remedies in order to help people. She knew I wanted to be useful to the world. So here I am, in my own little paradise, waiting for my next patient."
{-}
That night, Trowa Duo, and Heero, conversed with each other before the feast.
"Could it be possible that we were blind at first to realize it?" asked Trowa.
"No, I think we all knew we were thinking the same thing," replied Heero.
"We have to get word to Martin, there is no doubt beyond my mind," continued the gypsy.
"It has to be!" exclaimed Duo. "It's everything we were told it would be!"
"Yes," said Heero quietly, "it is."
"I will go, first thing in the morning to give word to Martin. Until then, I suggest we be careful of whom we share this news with," warned Trowa.
"Should we tell Relena?" asked Duo.
They were silent for a moment, thinking. "I will tell her," Heero decided quietly. "We told her we would tell her if the time came. She will be silent upon the matter."
"I agree," nodded Trowa.
Duo shook his head in disbelief, "I can't believe it, and we stumbled upon the answer we've been looking for without even looking! Do you think it is true?"
"Yes," replied Heero, "Anton is the future High King of Mythica."
{-}
AN: The High King has been revealed! Gasp! Now what will happen to the future of Mythica? Will Lord Treize destroy our heroes? Will Heero and Relena ever be together, or will Anton capture Relena's heart? All this and more in the next exciting chapter! LOL! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please email me with comments and reviews! The next chapter will be out shortly! Email: