At long last! I was experiencing some crazy writer's block, hence not updating since last May. Eep! I'm definitely planning to update again without that much of a delay. Here's hoping.

Reminders: pilot Trowa is known as Nanashi in this fic, because the original Trowa Barton (son of Dekim) is still alive. Heero is the prince of Wingaria, under pressure to get married once he becomes king when he reaches his majority ( which is soon). He, Nanashi, and Catherine are visiting Ryuusei, the kingdom that Dekim rules. Duo has joined them as a spy for the undersea kingdom of Khushrenada Provence, to make sure that Heero doesn't remember Duo saving him. However, Heero DOES know that merfolk exist, because Trowa is half mer and told him all about it. When Duo went to Dorothy for the spell to turn him human, her price was that he give up his voice, but Old Man G also exacted a price, that he said he would tell Duo at a later date. We still don't know what that is. Relena was raised by Senator Darlian, the Regent of the Sanq Kingdom ever since the Peacecrafts died. She did not know she was adopted or who she really was.

Annnd that's about it. For those of you actually still reading this, thank you SO MUCH for your patience. It means the world to me. Content warnings for this chapter: mentions of abuse. Oh, and this is unbeta'd, so forgive the mistakes. Enjoy!


Duo was learning so much, it boggled his mind.

Khushrenada Provence was renowned amongst the undersea kingdoms for its intelligence gathering, among other things, and he was proud of that. Deservedly so, since it was his skills at espionage that had been the deciding factor in being selected as the heir.

Gathering intelligence on humans was always a bigger challenge than on other mers, of course. Restricted to the water, there was only so much they could overhear, only very few spaces they could spy on. Sure, there were some half mer that were willing to help them, but their existence was so precarious to begin with that few were willing to take the risks. Quatre's connection to Iria helped, too, of course, but the effort required to maintain that connection meant it had to be used sparingly. Given how often he'd glimpsed her since arriving at the palace, he was honestly a bit worried about the strain it was putting on his best friend.

But now, well, not only were Duo's movements no longer restricted by the water, he had access not only to Heero and Nanashi but the Barton family as well.

They had known that Heero was looking for a bride, and that Mariemaia was one of the two frontrunners - the other being Relena Darlian. What they hadn't known, however, was how very, very reluctant both Heero and Mariemaia were on the matter. Sure, they both said all the right things, showed the proper courtesies and etiquette, but it was glaringly obvious to Duo that if Heero chose Mariemaia, they would both be miserable. A formidable team, yes, but miserable.

And for some reason, Duo found himself hoping against hope that Heero would choose someone else. To be fair, the mer kingdoms were in agreement that an alliance between Wingaria and the Sanq Kingdom would be more advantageous for them - anything to prevent the chance that Dekim would break faith and allow the secret of the merfolk's existence to get out - so Duo already had incentive to want a different bride for Heero. But now? Now he wanted it not just for the sake of merkind, but for Heero's sake as well.

Because not only did Duo have access to the interplay amongst all the players here, he was getting to know Heero Yuy the person, not just Heero Yuy the Prince.

Everyone knew that Prince Heero would be a strong ruler. He was level headed and clearly cared about his people, and by all accounts was happy to accept guidance from the Crown Regent, a distant uncle everyone referred to simply as Jay.

But now? Now Duo also knew that he was kind. Kind, and patient. So patient with the communication barrier between Duo and everyone else. Kind, and genuinely concerned about what had happened to Duo - what he thought had happened to Duo - and so clearly wanting to help. Duo honestly felt like he was taking advantage of the man with all his dissembling.

As much as it was absolutely necessary, the dishonesty inherent in this mission was killing him. A long time ago, he'd made a promise never to lie. Not being able to talk made this possible technically speaking, but Duo knew in his heart that all this deception was just as bad as speaking a lie. And soon... Well, soon he'd be lying outright.

"Like this," Nanashi said as he repeated the gesture.

"I'm hungry," Heero recited as he imitated his companion.

Duo did as well, badly. He was doing his best to pretend that learning this sign language was difficult for him, to delay the inevitable need to lie to them about where he came from.

First they'd brought him a pen and paper. He'd liked at them, somewhat befuddled, then shook his head when they asked if he could write. His first lie.

Now Nanashi and Catherine were teaching him sign language. In fact, whenever either of them spoke to them, they also signed what they were saying, and he was picking it up pretty quickly. Not that he let anyone know.

And Heero was joining in on the lessons when he could so that he wouldn't need them to translate when speaking with Duo. Because apparently, being able to speak with him was important to the Prince.

"That's better," Nanashi said encouragingly after they'd made some additional attempts. "Now try this one. I'm thirsty." Again, Heero and Duo imitated the gesture, and again, Duo did it poorly.

Nanashi, it turned out, was patient too. Very patient.

"Watch me again," he instructed as he moved his hands more slowly. ["I'm thirsty."]

Duo did it again, making it recognizable this time, and Nanashi nodded his approval.

"That's enough for today, I think. Heero, it's time you started getting ready for the hunt, isn't it?"

Heero sighed. "I suppose you're right. But you need to get ready as well. Prince Trowa will be bringing his tenure, so I want you and Catherine with me." He turned to Duo. "Do you know how to ride a horse?"

Duo hesitated. He could miss out on crucial information if he weren't privy to the princes' conversations during the hunt, but… horses were very large. And he hadn't seen them ridden enough times to be confident he could fake it. He shook his head.

"Hmm." Heero's bros creased in that way they did when something was bothering him. "We'll have to fix that soon. I suppose you won't be able to come. Will you be alright on your own?"

["Yes."] Duo signed, nodding.

"Alright, if you're sure. We should be back by midafternoon." With that, the two of them took their leave, and Duo was left to plan his next move.


It was with reluctance that Old Man G swam his way towards Dorothy's lair. He had debated the necessity of this with himself at length, but finally conceded that he did, indeed, need her help. Well, more like access to her wall-sized mirror. The small one he owned just wasn't sufficient for keeping track of Duo's activities, and of course what was happening in Sanq. It was crucial that he keep abreast of the events in both locations.

The eels were lurking at the entrance to the lair, of course, one eye of each glowing in that off-putting way that meant Dorothy was watching, seeing what they saw. They let him pass, but slithered along behind him as he swam inside. No matter. He had nothing to fear from them, dangerous as they were. Though of course Dorothy knew that. Who knows why she had summoned them in his wake.

"Old Man G, what a pleasure," she greeted him when he reached the main room. "I wasn't expecting you."

How best to respond to this opening gambit? He and Dorothy had something of an understanding, which only made sense given their history. But the war was a long time ago, and neither of them liked to think back to that time, each for their own reasons. He knew hers, but he was fairly certain she didn't know his whole story. But it was impossible to tell with her. It always was.

"A visit was long overdue, don't you think? What with this business with Duo and Prince Heero. We do have a stake in his endeavors, do we not?"

"We do," she agreed. "Can I offer you some refreshments? Some fresh roe perhaps? I have both salmon and tuna. Or some wakame salad?"

"Salmon roe, if you please. I haven't had it in some time."

"Of course." Dorothy turned to her work desk and opened a glass jar filled with the small, orange fish eggs, then spooned some into a bowl. She offered it to him with a smile. All the while, her eels were threading themselves amongst her tentacles disconcertingly. "Now, why did you really come here?"

The merman pursed his lips, annoyed at how perceptive she was, though not surprised. This was Dorothy, after all.

"Your mirror," he said simply.

"Of course," she said, smirking. "Yours is much smaller, is it not? Very well. But what do I get in return? You can't get something for nothing, you know."

G thought for a moment. He'd been hoping she wouldn't demand anything in exchange, but it wasn't unexpected.

"Obsidian. I've recently acquired some and I imagine you could use it for some of your spells."

Dorothy smiled like the cat who got the cream. "I certainly could. Bring what you have once you're done so we can haggle over quantity."

"You have my word. May I begin?"

"Yes. Follow me."

Dorothy's lair was a series of caves and passages that was labyrinthine in nature, so while G had used the mirror in the past, he needed her guidance. Probably she had planned it that way. They swam through large caves and tiny passages alike, making turns seemingly at random. How she managed to fit the mirror through them was a mystery.

Finally, they arrived at their destination. Along the wall stood an enormous mirror, framed in silver intricately worked into whorls and spirals.

G stopped, waiting for Dorothy to leave.

"You can start any time, you know," she said.

Of course she wasn't going to leave. He sighed inwardly. He needed this too much to argue with her.

He closed his eyes, centering himself mentally. Opening them again, he began to move his hands in an intricate dance, moving around a central point just in front of his chest. Slowly, a light began to glow, getting brighter and brighter. When it reached the appropriate size, he sent it toward the mirror, where it spread out to cover the whole of it, sinking in slowly.

"Relena Peacecraft," he instructed.


Relena was nervous as she approached her friend Sylvia's house. What would she say? What would she think of her, now that everything had changed?

She tamped down her anxiety as she came to the door and rang the doorbell. Sylvia was her best friend. She'd understand, at least as much as anyone could.

The door opened to reveal a young woman with blonde hair held back from her face with two elegant hair clips. Sylvia beamed at her and opened her arms for a hug. "Relena! It's so good to see you."

Relena couldn't help but smile in return. She hugged her friend tightly, then loosened her grip as Sylvia's arm flinched away.

"Again?" Relena asked as she stepped back, her heart aching for her friend.

Sylvia hung her head. "It's not that bad this time. He just grabbed my arm. Nothing's broken."

Relena pursed her lips. There was nothing to say that she hadn't already said, except to offer her sympathy.

"If you need some space and want to stay for a night, my door is always open," she offered, already knowing the answer.

"Thank you, but no. I'll be ok. Hd feels really badly about it; he even sent me flowers and chocolates."

"Alright, as long as you're sure."

"I am,"Sylvia said, with a smile they both knew was fake. "But you said you had news. What's going on?"

"Well," Relena began, not even sure where to start. She was still reeling from the revelations herself. "There's going to be an announcement soon, and a ceremony I think. I want you to know before then and… I need someone to talk to. Oh, Sylvia, I'm so overwhelmed." Tears started to well up and she blinked furiously, clenching her fists in an attempt to staunch the flow. Even so, a few tears escaped.

"What is it, Relena?" her friend asked, gently taking her hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

"It's just… Father isn't my real father! I'm adopted! And that's not even the biggest part. My real name is Relena Peacecraft!"

Sylvia's eyes opened wide in shock. "You mean…" she trailed off, too stunned to finish.

"Yes. I'm the lost princess. The one everyone thought was dead. When I turn 18, I'm going to be Queen! That's only a few months away! I just… They lied to me my whole life. My real parents are dead, and I have a brother who probably is too. Sylvia, what am I supposed to do?"

It took a moment for her friend to reply.

"What is there you can do? It sounds like you don't have much choice in the matter." She looked down. "Sometimes we aren't given a choice. Sometimes we just have to accept what life gives us."

Relena took a deep breath, no longer on the verge of tears. That comment hadn't been about her situation, not really. Sylvia was in arranged marriage to the grandson of Duke Dermail, Trant. He and her own grandfather, Duke Noventa, had been political rivals for years, and the marriage was intended to smooth things over between the families. As far as Relena was concerned, the families could go hang. Nobody deserved to be married to a monster like Trant.

Sylvia was wrong, at least about her own situation. But for Relena… maybe there was a grain of truth there. These revelations were about who she was, her very identity. Accepting the truth was her only choice. As for becoming Queen, well, she'd already planned on following in Father's footsteps - should she still call him Father? - as a senator, possibly becoming Regent after him. Was this so very different?

"Relena?" Sylvia asked, sharking her out of her thoughts.

"Sorry about that, I just got caught up in thinking. I do have to accept it, you're right about that. I just hope I can live up to everyone's expectations, is all."

"You'll do just fine, Relena. I believe in you. And you've always excelled under pressure. Things will be okay, you'll see."

"Thank you, Sylvia. Thank you," Relena said, not at all sure that her friend was right.


In the tv show, Trant and Dekim are not related. I decided to make them that way because of, well, reasons. Time will tell.

Comments? Kudos? Comments and kudos give me life and make it much easier for me to motivate myself to keep working on this. Thank you so, so much for reading, and I'd love to hear your thoughts!