Exaudi Nos, et Misrere
"…Hear us, the wretched…"
by: Lost-Remembrance (Red Tail)
Chapter Three:
Seven long years had passed since the soldier had left the red-haired baby in his care. Heero, at first, wondered if it was such a wise choice to raise the squawling child, but soon grew to love the little creature. Maia had gained the trust of Heero's legendary creatures and was raised exploring around the wilderness and playing the the fellow mountain children.
Ter, the great bird, was usually not far from Maia. Heero smirked when he realized the wise falcon had grown a liking for the young girl as well. Now, the seven year old was as curious as she had been in her younger years, only in different ways. She had recently asked the question that Heero had been somewhat fearful of.
"Who are my father and mother?" Heero looked down at her, surprised at the question. After all, he considered her his own, and never expected the red headed girl to question him. He raised an eyebrow at her. Marie-maia continued on, eager to hear the response. "I know I'm not your child. We don't look anything alike." Maia looked down and blushed. "Besides, you don't look that old…"
"Your mother is dead."
Maia looked at Heero with wide eyes. She all but whispered out her next question, seeming to be fearful of Heero's response, "…And my father?"
"Off doing Eld-know's what." Heero replied, just as matter-of-factly. He patted her gently on the head. "Now, come on. Wash your hands and face. We're off to see Grandma Noventa."
Maia's face instantly lit up at the mention of the old motherly figure. "All right!" She then scurried off to wash her dirtied face and hands. Though it was sad to learn of her mother's death and her father's absence, Maia had no memories of her biological parents. She decided to place the newly gained information elsewhere in her mind-what good would it do her? She was content with her life, and having Heero as a parent.
After the rambunctious girl had left the room, Heero eased himself into a chair and closed his eyes. His shoulders sagged. His mind was weary. Recently, he had started his search again for the mysterious bird that continued to elude his reach.
He lost many nights worth of sleep over searching, but always made sure to have Moriah keep an eye on Maia if he ever looked too sleep-deprived. He didn't want the young child to worry over his health. Grandma Noventa did that enough as it was.
He opened his prussian eyes to see Maia bounce merrily back into the room. She smiled at him, though in her light blue eyes, he could detect some worry. "I'm ready!" Heero nodded and gathered himself up out of the chair.
Ter came like an arrow, swooping through the skies with deadly precision and took perch on the tree branch near the open window. Heero caught his falcon's golden eye.
'How was the hunt?' Heero questioned.
Ter let out a screech, causing Maia to giggle. "I think he had a good catch?" Maia questioned, looking to Heero for an answer to the question. Heero lightly nodded after a moment's pause. Smiling at the response she waved at Ter eagerly. Of all the animals, Ter was perhaps her best friend. He was always there for her and they held a special bond, though Maia lacked the ability to communicate to him as Heero did.
Often times, she found herself angry that she was no Heero's biological daughter. Why could she not have the beautiful gift that Heero possessed? Oh, how she longed to be able to communicate to the animals that lived in this house!
He was a perfect father, too. Though he could be quite cold to strangers that wandered up to their mountain, he was often nice to the surrounding mountain children and people that came to their abode. He was, of course, always wonderful to her. There were times when she would need to be disciplined, but the fiery red head was quite a well-mannered child. She didn't like to displease her father, or the animals.
Maia grabbed a wool coat and draped it over her shoulders to fight against the dusk chill.
Heero grabbed a basket full of vegetables from his garden that the Witch would like. He felt as Marie-maia slid her hand into his palm. Looking down to see her smiling face, he gave a small smile himself and together the two of them left into the cool outside.
Ter took to the skies once more, causing small nightlife to scurry off for cover. He was like a dark shadow in the sky, guiding and protecting the way down to the Noveta's home.
"I can't wait to see Grandma Noventa! Am I going to stay at her house tonight?" Heero gave a curt nod at her question.
"Yes, it has been a while since you've had such a visit with her." In truth, though Marie-maia could be a quiet child, he needed to be undisturbed for as long as possible. Thus far, his quest had been in vain. No traces and no amount of callings would bring forth the beautiful creature he sought. One whole night, and partial morning, might bring forth some treasure perhaps? How he hoped so.
"Look! Look!" Maia skipped, hopping up and down with an extra bounce in her steps. The gentle fire light shone brightly in the darkness, signaling to the travelers that Noventa's place was very close.
"We're almost there." Heero quietly said, hoping not to distubr the tranquil atmosphere. Maia nodded, an excited grin spreading across her face. Her eyes danced with mirth and eagerness.
"I can't wait! Now she can finish telling me stories! Maybe she'll tell me one about you, or Ter!" she giggled, already imagining the warm soup and hearty atmosphere in the witch's hut. Noventa always had a way with cooking food, especially when Heero gave her many wonderful crops from his garden.
"Promise me that you'll be good to her. Don't pester that bird of hers." Nearby, a crow cawed into the night. Maia pouted at his words.
"All right then, I promise." She tugged him along with her hand. "Come on! You're walking too slow!" Heero chuckled, allowing the small child to pull him along as best as she could. He offered no resistance, nor no help. Perhaps it would help tire the child out a bit for the old woman.
Finally, they reached the wooden door. Maia grinned, looking up at Heero. The older boy raised his hand, knocking gently on the wood. It creaked open, slowly. Then, a pair of eyes caught them and swung open quickly.
"Ah! I was wondering when you'd be stopping by!" The old woman bustled, sweeping them into a hug quickly and then pulling them into the warm room.
"Hi Grandma Noventa!" Maia grinned. Heero rolled his eyes, knowing that the old woman spoiled the child like none other. The old woman fussed over the small girl, giving her a bowl of warm and hearty soup to eat.
"Heero?" He blinked, seeing a bowl being offered to him as well. He shook his head in a negative manner—he wasn't all too hungry.
Noventa frowned. "Nonsense! You have to eat! Look at you, all skin and bones—how will you ever survive the winter, dear?"
Sighing, Heero accepted the bowl and spoon before the woman went on a tirade of how he should eat more and take care of his health better. "I hope this isn't too much trouble." He said, gesturing to where Maia was playing with Noventa's cat and her baby kittens by the fire.
"Oh, not at all." The old witch said, gazing warmly at the sight Heero was watching as well. "You need some time to yourself as well! It was so selfless of you to accept the burdens of raising an infant at such a young age!"
Heero sipped his soup broth, simply choosing to nod instead of furthering the conversation. After a few more spoonfuls of the food that warmed his insides wonderfully, Heero stood up from the chair he had chose to sit in.
"I must be off."
"So soon?" Noventa questioned, looking him up and down as if to observe and note his state of health.
"Yes. I have much to do tonight." Moving over to the fire, he bent down on his knees. "Maia, I must be off now." He pulled the child into a warm embrace. Her tiny arms wrapped around his torso, enveloping him in a tight and loving hug as well.
"Take care. Sleep well tonight. I shall come and retrieve you in the morning." He smiled, ruffling her short red hair to which she squealed at.
"You mess it all up now!" She pouted, trying in vain to comb it back into a neatly order.
"And that is where you take after Heero with, my dear." Noventa said, smiling as she gestured at Heero's wild hair.
Heero smiled back at her, nodding. The old woman walked him to the door, short distance as it was. "Take care and try to get a good night's sleep. Don't wear yourself out too much tonight." Heero waved goodbye as he walked out the door. It quietly shut, and locked to keep out any unwelcome beings. Heero knew she would be safe with the old woman.
Ter was perched on a low hanging tree branch. Heero caught his eye. "I'll most likely be Calling until the morning, maybe getting some sleep. Stay here and watch over Maia. If you feel the need to take shelter, come back home. Morgana will guard the house as I am Calling."
Ter opened his beak, a screech signaling his consent. He took to the skies, finding a better tree branch to guard the hut over. There was one that overlooked the window, allowing him to see the witch fawning over the giggling girl.
Heero stayed where he was for a few moments, soaking in the silence and the beauty of nature. Then, he turned to go back to his home and begin his search. It would be a long, quiet night.
TBC