"You are certain, Lady?" Treize Khushrenada swirled the wine in his glass and smiled.
"Yes, Mister Treize." Une placed her hand over her chest. Zechs has rejoined his sister. My spies have informed me that he and a group of refugees are traveling together. "
"How intriguing." The princess had, according to rumors, become quite the thorn in Dermail's side. Her apparent natural ability to pull the loyalty of the people was quite impressive. In addition, it was amusing to see the older gentleman begin to stress over it. There was a time where he once thought of taking control away from Dermail. Certainly, enough of the army was loyal to him, but it was not his time to lead.
"What are your orders?" Une asked. He smiled, sipped his wine and turned to face her.
"The refugees are most likely being led to the Sugarplum Castle to join the princess. And, if I am not mistaken, Zechs will be leading the army when the time comes for the revolt."
"Mr. Treize?"
"Lady, I want you to take a few of our most trusted men to aid Zechs in his efforts. I will ride out with the rest to meet them at the castle." He put his glass down and looked at the map. "It's time to repay my old friend at last."
The weather was surprisingly mild as they made their way across the terrain. The training sessions went about as well as could be expected. The true test would be how their group of imposter soldiers would fare if they ran into an actual scouting party from the RATs. Heero watched as their group trudged forward. Most of the men wore the uniforms while the women and children alternated between ridings in what was left of the space in the back of the supply carts. It made the situation more believable. If their village had been raided, then the soldiers would have rounded up any and all supplies they could find. Heero stayed at the back of their modest caravan to guard their rear while Quatre and took the lead. Zechs and Duo were to either side so as to help further the illusion of a prisoner escort while Trowa had ridden ahead to scout out the area.
"Heero." Trowa called and rode up next to him. "RATs approaching from the East. We need to prepare the people." Heero took in his words and nodded.
"Ride up to tell Quatre. I'll take care of preparing the people back here." Trowa spurred forward and Heero busied himself getting the group ready.
"Remember, say nothing. Keep your eyes down. As far as they are concerned, you are our prisoners. Keep that in mind and we will get through this."
It did not take long for everyone to take their positions. Zechs made sure they knew what to say and took the lead. Apparently, no one in the army had seen his face in years. The riders, five in total approached. Heero had little trouble recognizing Colonel Une at their head. Instantly, his body tensed. His entire system went on high alert. When the horses came to a halt, Heero looked to Zechs to try and read the older man's take on the situation.
"Greetings, Colonel Zechs." Zechs stiffened. "Yes, I recognize you. Commander Treize sends you his regards."
"What do you want, Lady?" Zechs asked. Une smiled.
"Commander Treize ordered me to ensure your safe arrival at the castle."
"And why would he do that?" Heero noticed Zechs's hand ready on his sword.
"He said he wishes to repay a debt." She smirked. "He will be meeting your party at the castle where things will be discussed in detail." Heero did not know if she could be trusted, but Zechs relaxed his hold.
"The aid is welcome. I look forward to offering Treize My gratitude." Une nodded and gave the orders for her men to assist and their caravan pressed on. Heero still did not know if he trusted them, but the sooner he returned to Relena. The sooner he could protect her once more.
Relena fell on her rump onto the hard, marble floor. Noin smiled down at her and offered her a hand up. The self defense lessons were helping to keep her mind off of her worry at least a little. It was a whole week since the boys left and each day she prayed for their safe return.
"Believe in me."
Heero's words came back to her and gave her a little more comfort. She knew he would return safely and with everyone else. It would be alright. She took the offered hand and allowed the taller woman to pull her to her feet.
"Tsk tsk, Miss Noin. She'll never learn properly if you refuse to take off the kid gloves." Dorothy commented.
"I hardly think going all out on her when she's still learning the basics would be productive either." Noin retorted. "She has improved."
"Oh, yes, I think I saw her block one punch. Very masterfully done." She has had three days of basics in hand to hand, but these soldiers won't be coming at her with their fists. They will have swords and those do far more damage far easier."
"I suppose you're right." Noin walked to the weapons rack and pulled out two short swords, offering her one by the hilt. Relena took it and immediately found it to be heavier than she'd initially imagined.
"You most likely will be able to use your magic for most things, but knowledge of the sword is always useful. We'll start with some practice swings to get you accustomed to the weight and then we'll go into basic techniques." Noin followed through by demonstrating the first of many moves.
'I have a feeling this is going to be a very long training session.' Relena thought, and focused all her attention on mimicking the moves of the former lieutenant.
Contrary to her previous thought, the movement of the sword became easier, but the sword itself became heavier. Sweat dripped down her brow as her arm ached in complaint, but she was determined to learn! If she could at least do something to defend herself then it would be worth it. The real question she faced was about her magic. She had no idea how to use it and no one to ask. Everyone expected her to do something amazing with her powers. Everyone expected those powers to help her save the day! If she didn't know how to use them, then how could she hope to be of any use?
"Miss Relena, are you even trying to concentrate?" Dorothy asked. Relena looked over at the blonde woman and frowned.
"I'm sorry, Dorothy." Noin walked over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"We can take a break. You've been working really hard."
"I would appreciate it. Thank you." Dorothy handed her a cool glass of lemonade. Relena found it to be more bitter than sweet but welcomed the libation.
"I'll be standing by if you wish to continue, Miss Relena."
"Thank you, Dorothy, but I think I need some time to myself for a while." Relena wiped her forehead with a towel.
"Suit yourself." She waved her hand dismissively. "I'm sure I can find some other way to pass the time." As the older blonde walked away, Relena found herself alone with her thoughts.
"Come on, Relena." She looked down at her hands. "You've been stalling." She reached out into the thin air. "It's time to try and focus the power…" she closed her eyes and tried to remember how she felt the night the spells on the boys broke. The warmth that had flowed through her body, absorbing into every fiber of her being had radiated from her heart. She needed to find it again!
Lately sleep had been escaping her, so she sat up trying her best to find a way to control the power, but to no avail. She closed her eyes, concentrated as hard as she could, but nothing would happen. She could feel it inside her but she couldn't find it. And she needed to! Too much depended on her.
"I have to believe in myself… to accept who I am…" she took several deep, slow breaths, in and out."I am the princess… I am the sugarplum fairy." The same words left her lips but the warmth refused to come. "I am Princess Relena Peacecraft of Sanq Kingdom." Again, nothing happened.
"I don't understand." She opened her eyes and looked at her hands. "What am I missing? What am I not understanding?"
"Relena?" Noin walked up behind her. "I hope I'm not interrupting"
"Oh… Miss Noin… No. Not really. I was just-"
"You were trying to get your powers to work. I hope you don't mind, but I was watching." Noin walked closer. "You know, your brother struggled with the same thing you are. His identity."
"How did you know?"
"He used to get that same look in his eyes… He still does from time to time. It's so hard for him to separate who he is from what he's done. What he needs to do." The older woman smiled. "I know you're feeling stressed. There is a lot depending on you, but you are just one person. You cannot be more than you are."
"But, Miss Noin-"
"Relena, you need to relax. You need to let go of your worry and allow yourself to think clearly."
"But how can I?"
"By letting yourself understand your limitations as a person and understanding that, no matter what, you will do your best. In the end, that is all anyone can or should ask of you, including you."
"Thank you, Miss Noin."
"Any time." The warmth in Noin's smile was contagious. It reminded her of her true support system. Her friends. They believed in her. Counted on her, but-most of all- they loved her. And it was the thought of their love and confidence that warmed her heart.
"I know who I am. And I wouldn't have gotten this far without them." She smiled and closed her eyes, placing her hand over her heart. "Mother, father, the boys… Heero…" her whole body warmed again. She smiled, feeling their love for her and her love for them.
"I am their daughter. I am their friend. I am their hope... and they are my heart." She spoke the truths her soul told to her and felt them resonate in her being.
She opened her eyes and looked at her fingertips. They were warm and faintly glowed with the same blue light as before. She held onto the feeling in her heart, committing it to memory. Deciding to test it out. She pointed to a dying bush, pictured red roses, and pointed her finger at the Bush. Before her eyes, the wilting plant became green again. Fine, vibrant, red roses sprouted out from the green. She smiled and walked forward, reaching out gentle fingertips to caress the fresh blossoms.
"I did it!" A girlish giggle escaped her. She knew it would take quite a bit more practice before she would be able to use the power freely, but she knew she would be able to! Footsteps behind her made her turn. Dorothy watched her with a smug, satisfied smile on her face.
"I knew you could do it." Noin smiled.
"Yes, I finally learned how to find the power, but I'm nowhere near proficient enough at controlling it to be of any use yet."
"Well, some progress is better than none." Dorothy stated and walked to the new rose bush. "But I came out here to tell you that the boys have returned, safe and sound… and they brought an army…"
Heero led the last of the refugees and makeshift army into the safety of the Sugarplum Castle. They were tired and weary, but their spirits all seemed to rise when they beheld the beauty of the castle. He and Trowa began to assign people simple tasks like unloading the wagons and taking care of the animals. The sudden commotion among the people alerted him to her arrival in the courtyard. Standing at the entrance with Miss Noin and Dorothy behind her.
She looked tired, a bit rumpled from some sort of effort, but overall, she looked radiant. There was a new confidence in her eyes reflected in her posture. Even in the throng of displaced civilians, her eyes found him. She smiled, clearly relieved and happy to see him. He wanted to go to her, but now was not the time. There was too much to do. The doctors were supposed to have been preparing things for their army and it was his job to see that everything went as planned. He watched as the woman he now knew as Lady Une approached Relena. He still did not know that the woman could be trusted and so he changed his plans. He half-jogged up to intercept and stand by her side as the RATs Colonel saluted Relena.
Relena, for her part, seemed confused. As if unsure how to acknowledge the older woman, she nodded her reply and stood strong. Heero was not at all surprised to notice that Zechs and Noin took up a position on Relena's other side. Whatever her brother had done in the past, it was clear the former RATs commander was serious about his desire to protect and aid his sister.
"Colonel Une, I presume?"
"I prefer to go by Lady, but that will do."
"What is it you and yours hope to accomplish with your presence here?" Relena asked. Her gaze was strong, her overall presence one of authority.
"His Excellency, Mr. Treize, ordered that I ensure the safe arrival of the people tomorrow castle in the hopes of having a discussion with you when he arrives."
"And what would this discussion involve?" She was being cautious; this was good.
"I am not entirely sure. Likely it pertains to the achievement of a mutual goal."
"And that would be?"
"The removal of Duke Dermail from his position as head of the Kingdom." The crowd began to murder at her words. Heero watched as Relena seemed to consider this woman's words very carefully. Finally, she spoke:
"You and your soldiers are welcome here, Lady for as long as you require it. I will gladly meet with your commanding officer to discuss his terms upon his arrival."
"Very well." Lady Une made a motion with her hand and her soldiers dismounted their horses. Noin and Zechs escorted Une away, talking in hushed tones, though Heero could tell Zechs did not trust the woman.
He could feel Relena's eyes on him. He turned to face her and she gave him a smile that made his heart beat faster.
"Heero…"
"I'm back." Was all he managed. Her smiled widened, eyes sparkling.
"I knew you would be." She gestured to the courtyard garden. "Walk with me?" He nodded. The garden would give them the privacy they needed to discuss things… things neither one wanted anyone else to know just yet…