Nutcracker Kingdom Ch 7
Dorothy watched as her new traveling companions set about making camp. The porcelain doll and the braided cookie seemed to enjoy poking at one another with the giant bear chiming in to try and keep the peace. The princess seemed to help with the fire although it appeared the younger blonde knew nothing about such things. Still, it was amusing to see her try to be of some use. Dorothy did not envy Relena the pressure of being at the center of everyone's hope. In fact, it was both pitiful and admirable how willing the princess was to dive head first into the problems of a world she previously hadn't even known truly existed. Some might even find it inspirational. Dorothy smiled. The key to everything; the undoing of Romefeller or the rebellion hinged on this one individual. It was time she made her first move in removing that crucial linchpin. She made her way over to where the princess sat staring into the fire.
"Mind if I sit here, Miss Relena?" Dorothy asked. The younger woman looked up at her, eyes wide at first before she offered a small, friendly smile and her eyes softened.
"Not at all." The princess scooted over and Dorothy took her seat.
"My, what a wonderful choice for a campsite! Just enough cover from danger with the necessary protection from the elements. Truly, your companions are no strangers to strategy."
"I suppose." Relena shifted slightly and Dorothy wondered if it was from discomfort or something else? She had to try and set the princess's mind at ease if she was to gain enough trust to fulfill her part of the plan.
"They're wrong about me, you know." Relena looked at her, confusion in her blue-green eyes. Looking into them; so open and trusting, it was easy to see how someone might grow so attached to one so innocent.
"I'm sorry?"
"Your traveling companions. I understand why they are wary but they are wrong to be. I mean you no harm."
"They are protective of me."
"Oh, yes, I can tell and it is easy to understand why." She stroked an eyebrow. "You are their princess and perhaps the greatest hope of freeing the lands once and for all. It's only natural they wish to protect the one beacon of hope they have ever known."
Doubt. Anxiety. And a hint of guilt? Flashed through the princess's eyes.
"My grandfather, and indeed, all of Romefeller are afraid of you." Relena's eyes widened, eyebrows raised. "You are the one kink in the armor of their solid rule. If you become the new sugarplum fairy and lead the people against them as the prophecy states then everything they worked so hard for will be destroyed."
"And I suppose that idea thrills you?" Relena pressed. Dorothy could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
"Of course not, Miss Relena." The younger girl stared at her. "No one wishes to see the ruin of the only home, and indeed the only government one has ever known?" The princess's eyes clouded over with compassion. It was… surprising.
"I suppose not…" Relena gripped her fingers nervously.
"My grandfather is my only living blood relative. He took me in when my parents were killed." The younger girl's eyes widened… shock, sympathy… understanding flashed at her in their depths. The sheer level of kindness gave Dorothy a moment of pause… brought back a memory long buried…
Smoke swirled through the air. People screamed as her mother held her tiny hand. She was bundled warmly, a safeguard against the cold of their coming journey. Mommy would not tell her where they were going. She only had her dolly that she was allowed to take. Her daddy looked worried…
A loud crashing noise: wood from the broken door! They took her daddy. Dragged him away! They pulled her from her mommy…
Dorothy shivered, something that did not seem to go unnoticed by the princess… Remembering her current goal, she schooled her expression.
"My… parents were members of the Peacecraft royal court… They were killed when Romefeller attacked Sanq…"
"I'm so sorry…" The grief in Relena's eyes was staggering. Dorothy found herself surprised by it. "So then… you, too, were made an orphan that day…" It was an idle thought, one more of mental observation than anything. Dorothy heard the pain in her voice… the genuine sadness… They both lost family to Romefeller… the same group her grandfather controlled… the same group that killed his daughter… but she had her orders… didn't she?
"It wasn't all bad. I barely remember them, really. And my grandfather has taken excellent care of me all things considered. I really have no right to complain. I was sheltered from the hardships because of his quick thinking." Relena's eyes turned to the fire, clearly deep in thought.
"I don't remember my birth parents at all… just... Flashes... from dreams." flashes?
"Dreams?" The princess nodded.
"My whole life, my Godfather told me stories of this place… it always seemed so real." She glanced down at her hands. Dorothy listened. "But... late at night… when I would try to sleep I could hear… screaming. There were flames… people panicking… and a woman shielded me… I never knew what it meant… until now." The sorrow on the face of the younger girl cut Dorothy deeply... and she did not like it. "I know now that those flames were from that day… the screams were from my people, running in fear… and the woman… was my mother…" Dorothy did not know what to say… or do.
"Miss Relena…"
"I have no memory of how I ended up in the other world with my parents… the Darlians… and I know I was spared while my people suffered…" Relena turned to face her, eyes now alight with a renewed fire, fists clenched in her lap. "I don't know if I will be able to save anyone. I've never led anyone or fought for anything in my life but even so," the fire grew. "I am here now and I am going to do everything I can to try." There was something about how she said it… something about the determined look in her eyes that spoke to Dorothy; moved her. Relena was no fool and certainly more than what Dorothy had been led to believe.
"I am certain you will." Dorothy smiled and clasped the princess's hands in hers. "I just know you will be successful!"
"I am in no mood for false flattery, Dorothy…"
"Oh, no, Miss Relena!" Dorothy locked eyes with her. "I am an even bigger fan of yours now!" surprisingly, she found herself meaning it. Something about this princess… this girl… made her believe that maybe things would be better if… If Romefeller fell… "And with your trusted friends at your side it only further cements my faith!"
"Dorothy…" The princess made as if to say something but stopped herself. Dorothy watched as the younger girl's eyes swept the camp… and stopped on her wooden guard. The way her eyes softened upon finding him spoke for itself. An idea formed.
"He is impressive, isn't he?"
"I don't know who you're referring to." Dorothy laughed.
"Please, Miss Relena. Even as a Nutcracker, any normal woman would have to be blind or dim not to notice him…" Relena blushed and Dorothy found it amusing. "In fact, I remember how he looked before the transformation…"
"I don't see what the point of this conversation, Dorothy."
"I'm just making small talk. Trying to lighten the mood." Dorothy placed her hands in her lap. Suddenly, the mood shifted. Relena stared at her, eyes serious.
"If you remember him before he became a Nutcracker, then you must have known who he was when you tried to take him from me back at the Christmas party…"
"Yes… well…" The princess was indeed clever to remember such a thing. Dorothy had to think fast, and decided to offer her the closest thing to the truth she could manage. "My grandfather was there… I had to keep up appearances." The princess raised a brow. "In truth, I came with him to meet you… to see if you might truly be the one to save this land from men like my grandfather… In trying to take your Nutcracker from you, I tested your resolve. You passed." The younger girl sighed.
"I supposed that makes sense…"
"And besides," Dorothy smiled, deciding to tease the princess once more. "It's clear he truly is your Nutcracker…" The meaning of her words was not lost on Relena. The other girl blushed and stood, clearly flustered.
"I think I shall check and see how things are going around the camp. Excuse me." Relena stood and made her way toward the wooden sentinel, leaving Dorothy to her silent mirth. There really was something special about the princess and it made Dorothy wonder if maybe… just maybe Relena and her ragtag band of guardians could win this fight afterall…
"May I sit here?" Dorothy looked up to see the giant stuffed bear. He was smiling at her, eyes sparkling in the fire light.
"I suppose." He took his seat and stared at the fire for a moment.
"You know," he began. "Many of us have lost a lot since Romefeller took power." His eyes turned to her. "And I know you're no exception."
"Well, life changes in times of war. You either change with it or find yourself destroyed in its wake." She smiled. "Besides, is your princess not also trying to bring about a similar bout of change?"
"That may be true. But what we're trying to achieve goes beyond that. Princess Relena isn't doing this for the same reasons."
"Oh no?" Dorothy shifted to look directly at him. He was quite adorable in his stuffed animal form. It almost made her wish she'd known him before… she shook herself. She had to focus.
"Your princess is going to lead a rebellion against the current regime where lives are likely to be lost and thrown into unknown amounts of chaos. How is that any different?" He stared at her, those blue-green orbs seemed to peer into her soul.
"I see… you're carrying such tremendous pain. And it's causing you an uncomfortable amount of confusion."
"What are you saying? Are you implying my past makes me weak?" The bear shook his head.
"I'm saying you're a kind person… one that has seen a lot of tragedy and grief. That sort of life can be painful… you hate your own kindness, don't you?"
"What would you know? You've only just met me! You have no idea what I think! How I feel!"
"Maybe so, but I know that the longer you deny your true nature, the longer you will wonder what your real path in this life is." He stood and brushed off his felt fur. "I should go. Please try to rest easy tonight, Miss Dorothy." He bowed to her and something stirred inside her. First the kindness from the princess, and now the bear?
"But how can they possibly pretend to know me… how I feel?" Her only answer was the sound of the crackling wood as the fire burned in front of her.
They made camp just before the sun set over the candy-covered landscape. They chose a natural rock formation in the hilly countryside that would utilize the last of the daylight while offering them a shield from the chill of the night time wind. There was some concern of the glow of the fire serving as a possible beacon as to their location but the night was cold and He couldn't risk her chilling. While he and his four compatriots were made of inanimate materials, she and their unwelcome guest were still of flesh and blood. Though he wouldn't mind in the least if Catalonia froze, Relena's health dictated the necessity of all of the risk a fire posed. As it was, she was dressed in the warmest clothes that could be spared with a blanket slung over her shoulders. Dorothy, who had prepared for the weather, came with her own proper attire and therefore he felt no need to ensure her comfort. His eyes never left the pair.
The fork-browed female had wasted no time in trying to cozy up to his companions, Relena especially. Despite her friendly demeanor, however, Relena seemed to have taken his warning seriously and offered the older woman little information by way of their plans.
'At least she listened to me about one thing.' He mused.
If they were to have a prayer of reaching their destination without finding out the hard way whether or not the taller blonde could be trusted then they needed to keep things as close to their chests as possible. Dorothy was an unknown factor and, despite his suspicions, Relena had seen something redeemable in her. Perhaps it was Dorothy decrying the sins of her family as just that. In the short time he had known Relena she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and to be a decent judge of character. If Relena saw some sort of justice in letting Dorothy prove herself then it was his job to allow such a thing to be so. He was a soldier and she was his intended monarch, though she had never really seemed to act as such.
Relena did not seem the kind to him to care about power or of the responsibility it entailed and yet he seemed to somehow know that, given the chance, she would take her newfound responsibilities seriously and fulfill them to the best of her ability. As he watched the two women interact he couldn't help but notice the annoyance with which Relena seemed to regard Dorothy and her impertinent questions. There were moments when the two genuinely seemed to be getting along but it was clear Dorothy wanted to get under the newfound princess's skin. Relena seemed to be having none of that, however. He watched, rather amused as Relena seemed to say something back to the older blonde that made her bristle. It wasn't long though before Relena stood, clearly a bit flustered.
'What did she say?' The corners of his wooden mouth tipped down.
The idea of the other woman upsetting Relena did not set well with him. The princess, however, was no fool. She would walk away rather than risk letting her emotions jeopardize their safety. Heero found himself puzzled by the many surprising sides he had witnessed of her. At times she blushed like a schoolgirl at a passing remark from Duo (and apparently Dorothy) and yet she stood up to the RAT's back at the village without a second thought.
'She has an inner strength and fire.' He smiled, in spite of it all.
He admired her. The way she stood up in the village and helped guide the people to the safety of Quatre's bunker showed a strength of character uncommon in most people. Perhaps he had been a bit unreasonable the way he'd responded to her decision. Looking at her by the fire, the light danced on her features, giving her an ethereal glow as her golden hair reflected the warmth off of the fire and into his own heart… he shook himself.
"Listen to me, Heero," J said. "You have a great future ahead of you." The old man clicked his metal claw and grinned. "You are destined to find the missing princess and restore her to her throne!"
"Those are my mission parameters?"
"If you want to see it that way." J's smile widened. "But I think you'll find that with someone as special as the princess, it won't feel like a mission."
"Sir?"
"The princess will change your life, my lad."
So far, the old man's words rang true. Meeting her was changing everything… changing him. And he wasn't sure how that made him feel…
As if sensing his eyes on her, she turned and found him at his spot on the edge of the camp where he kept watch. After a bit longer 9f conversing with Dorothy, Relena clutched the blanket around her small frame, stood and made her way over. Even made of wood he could still notice the way the fabric of the tunic and pants she wore moved with her form. Such a crude outfit stood no chance against her… 'She still looks so…'
"Heero…" Her voice broke through his train of thought as she made her way to him. He uncrossed his arms and turned to face her. Her shoulders were slumped, her eyes soft in the dim light of the outer area. She looked so small… helpless… he felt the urge to reach out to her… to find out what it was that troubled her and make it go away. She stopped about a foot or so away from him, eyes down on the ground.
"Please… come join us?" Heero watched as her eyes flicked up to his, and he tried to adjust the scowl he knew must be on his face.
"I can stand watch better from here."
"I see." Her face faltered, brows and eyes lowering. She brought her arms down straight in front of her hands and clasped them together. "I…" she paused and fidgeted with her hands for a moment. "I'll leave you to it…" She made to leave and he felt his chest tighten. How did she have this affect on him?
"You can stay… if you want." She froze mid-step and turned, eyes wide with surprise and… hope? Her lips curved up slowly into a small smile and a spark returned to her eyes…
"Okay." She walked over, still clutching the blanket tightly around her. They stood in silence for some time before he saw her shiver… The spot he chose really was the coldest. Being made of wood he couldn't feel it but she had to be freezing. In his current bespelled state, there was little he could do to help warm her…
"I'm sorry, Heero." Her sudden apology took him by surprise. He turned to look at her, her eyes were focused on the light of the fire but her facial expression was relaxed and… peaceful… "I should have consulted with you… with all of you before letting her join…" She paused again and he noticed how the reflection of the flames danced in her eyes. "Even if this is my kingdom, I'm new here… I don't know the people… The history and the customs are strange to me and so different from my godfather's stories…"
"You were within your rights to choose." She shook her head.
"Even so, you know this land, it's people… better than I do… I should have considered your opinion. I just want to be fair…" She paused again, this time, her eyes meeting his. "Dorothy had no more say in what family she was born into than I did. I would feel wrong about holding their actions against her without giving her a chance… Is that foolish of me?"
It was a legitimate question. Her eyes swirled with uncertainty and for some strange reason he felt the need to reassure her; to wipe the doubt from her mind. He didn't agree with her decision, but her reasons, however much he disliked them, were sound. She looked down, her shoulders slumping again… Before he knew it, he reached out his hand and lifted her chin so that their eyes met again. Her eyes widened at the contact, lips opening ever-so-slightly before closing and forming a soft smile. He offered her the smallest of reassuring smiles.
"You acted on your emotions. You did what you felt was right." He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Never be ashamed of that."
"But, what if you and the others are right? What if she does end up betraying us? What if, in my desire for fairness, I have endangered us all?" She pulled away from him and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around herself. Again, he felt that strange twist in his gut and he reached out, turning her toward him gently.
"If that happens, I will be right here... " he paused, tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear gently, eyes meeting hers. "I will protect you." He felt the truth of his words as he spoke them. She reached up and put her hand over his, eyes wide again before her brows lowered and a peaceful smile formed on her lips.
"Heero… Thank you…" He nodded. When had they gotten so close together? Their bodies were nearly touching… She was so close…their eyes locked...
"Hey! You two lovebirds gonna join us anytime soon?" Duo called out from his spot by the fire. Relena dropped her hand at the same time he dropped his. A light blush stained her cheeks barely visible in the orange glow of the fire.
"Go on… You'll be warmer by the fire…" She looked from him, to the fire and back to him before nodding. There was a look in her eyes… Her lips turned up into a tiny smile even as the expression in her eyes showed something… else… for the second time that night he found himself regretting his inability to warm her… He still did not fully understand why...
"Okay." With one last look at him, she returned to the fireside, taking a spot next to Quatre. For the first time in his wooden existence, he felt the space around him grow cold…