Until the End of Tomorrow
By: Starlight-x
Chapter 4: Stagnation
"How could this have happened?" Relena's voice was tight with suppressed anger and dismay as she surveyed the glade. Her gaze lingered on the fountain until she had to finally turn away. "I don't understand." Heero stood behind her, his presence a comfort. "It's dying. No wonder our people are plagued with fear. They left off care of the glade and allowed it to die. What I want to know is why." She left the glade, Heero behind her.
Noin was resting in her room attended by Zechs. Relena headed there to check on them. Noin looked up when they entered. "You saw?" Her face creased with remembered pain.
Relena moved forward swiftly and grasped her hand. "Yes, I'll take care of it, I promise."
"I don't think you can." Noin replied. "What I felt was like a cut that sliced right through the heart of Asthernell itself."
"Maybe I can't do anything about it," Relena's face held a determined look. "But I can at least find out why Elai's Glade became like it is."
"The Elders?" Zechs looked closely at his sister. "Are you sure?"
"I know." Relena gave a wan smile. "Not my first choice, but someone needs to tell me what happened."
"I'll go with you." Heero spoke up.
"That won't be necessary…"
"Maybe not, but I'm still going with you. I won't allow you to take all the badgering about our lifebond anymore." Heero stated firmly.
"They probably won't be as open with you in the room."
"They're just going to have to get used to me." Heero crossed his arms in a way that indicated he was not going to be moved on this subject.
Relena sighed, smiled and nodded. "Very well."
00000
Orestaphal entered the counsel room, feeling the sense of tension that encompassed the group already gathered there. His gaze was drawn to the human mage standing to one side, arms crossed over his chest, prussian gaze flicking over all the elders gathered. The princess had taken her accustomed seat and was waiting, a determined look ensconced on her face.
Orestaphal quickly attempted to catch the attention of one of his oldest friends, flicking a questioning look toward Heero and then toward Relena.
Melliad shrugged, the slightest lift of his shoulders and shifted a tad uncomfortably in his chair.
Orestaphal returned his attention to Relena. Something had obviously disturbed her and he felt a sudden sense of caution. Originally he had planned to say something about her scheduled bonding ceremony, hoping the support of several of the other elders would be forthcoming and maybe coerce her into dropping the entire idea. He hadn't figured her bondmate would be here.
He felt someone watching and looked to see Heero staring at him. The young man's gaze was intense and Orestaphal found he had to struggle not to turn away from it. He felt the smallest prickle of relief shiver it's way up and down his spine when Heero finally turned his attention to another council member.
Relena cleared her throat lightly, delicately. "Since we are all here, I wonder if I could trouble you all to sit." She indicated the table around which they normally gathered. "I do not wish to waste unnecessary time."
At her softly chiding words the elders began to slowly seat themselves in their accustomed places.
"If I may be so bold." Reneial, one of the youngest members of the council spoke up. "Please explain to me why your bondmate is present. A council of Elders generally does not include outsiders."
Heero's turned his attention on Reneial, who seemed oblivious to the human's stare.
Relena considered a moment. "You raise a valid point. I am aware that I called this meeting to address something of deep concern to me. But I am not naïve enough to believe that my issue will be the only one discussed. As later discussions will most likely involved my bond with him I deemed it only fair that he should be here to respond to concerns raised about his suitability to act as my lifemate."
"That is acceptable." Reneial nodded slightly to Heero who, after a moment, returned the gesture.
Relena cleared her throat again as Reneial settled back into his seat. "I recently visited the Glade of Elai. I had been informed by two close companions of the state of the glade, but decided to see for myself exactly how bad it was. I was shocked to discover the extent of the damage." She took a moment to glance at the faces around the table, some met her gaze while others looked away. "I wish to know why this happened? What caused it?" She stopped but her unasked question lingered in the air. How could you have allowed this?
Orestaphal knew what she was referring to. He had been in the glade and seen the decay present there. When it appeared no one else was bold enough to venture an opinion he stood up. "Princess," He began softly. "I know how shocked you must've been. Believe me, we too were distraught when the glade began to sour. We tried various methods and ceremonies in our attempt to purify the spring and the surrounding land. Needless to say they all failed. We were left to conclude that the death of the glade was tied to Ha'derkaath in some way and perhaps the theft of the Key of Truth. We hoped that once Ha'derkaath was destroyed and the Key of Truth returned that the Glade would also return to its original splendor. It seems that is not to be." He spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "I do not know what more we can do."
Relena waited until Orestaphal had seated himself again before rising. "It seems to me that tireless research into the cause of the decay and attempts to bring restoration would've been foremost on minds of our people until what was wrong was taken care of." She lifted up a hand as she continued. "But I cannot judge accurately because I was not here, therefore I can only take what I am told and use that as basis for decisions. Be assured that I shall investigate this thoroughly." Relena paused and took a deep breath. "Now, I'm sure there is the issue of my upcoming bonding ceremony that each of you would like to discuss in-depth with me. We might as well proceed to what are more weightier matters to you." She seated herself.
Orestaphal was struck by the weariness inherent in her voice and found himself unable to rise and voice his concerns. Instead he sat and watched as others of his opinion rose and spoke. He saw how Heero drifted forward until he was standing directly behind Relena, immovable. As the discussion of the upcoming bonding ceremony continued, one of Heero's hands moved to rest on Relena's shoulder. Orestaphal was able to see how he occasionally squeezed gently. He was also able to see how relaxed Relena stayed regardless of the negativity thrown at her regarding her decision. He felt a momentary regret that Heero was so obviously human. If he had even been half elf, but he is not.
"Orestaphal." Relena's soft voice brought him out of his musings. "Do you have anything you would like to say?"
The look in her eyes told him she fully expected him to reiterate his widely know position. Before the meeting occured he would've been happy to, but now he found he had nothing to say. Instead he shook his head gently. "No Princess. I have nothing to add."
Her look was of surprised relief. "Very well."
Orestaphal sensed Melliad's gaze but chose to ignore his old friend while Relena ended the meeting.
As he exited the room he felt Melliad's touch on his arm. He slowed his step to accommodate his friend.
"You didn't say anything." Melliad observed. "Was something wrong?"
"I don't know." Orestaphal confessed. "I planned to oppose their decision but watching them together…."
Melliad waited patiently.
"I can't explain it right now." Orestaphal finally said. "I need to consider it for a bit." Something Zechs had told him previously lingered in his memory. Change happens Elder. Don't automatically assume it's bad.
Maybe it wasn't bad; he would have to take time to consider.
00000
"Hilde, wait up." Duo couldn't help the slight frustration that crept into his voice. The slight elf girl had the annoying habit of slipping out of sight in any kind of woods. Even after a year's worth of practice it still took most of his concentration to keep up while moving silently.
"Well, you should stop being such a slowpoke." Hilde popped up again, a mischievous look on her face.
"I've tried." Duo gave a groan. "Besides you should try keeping up with you sometime. It might give you greater appreciation for what I have to go through."
"Ah, poor little man." Hilde danced forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"What's got into you?" Duo eyed her suspiciously. "You're uncommonly happy."
"Maybe I am." Hilde gave the slightest lift to her shoulders.
Duo sighed, she was in one of her moods where he wouldn't get any answers no matter how hard he tried. "How far until we reach Asthernell?" He asked. "I'm getting tired of hearing Heero's message whenever a wind pops up. Last night I could barely sleep with hearing it repeat over and over."
"I know. Why do you think I've been hurrying?" Hilde responded. "Don't worry, we're here."
"We are?" Duo looked around. "I don't see anything."
"Silly, of course you don't." Hilde giggled, her light mood continuing. "Asthernell is a hidden city, otherwise Ha'derkaath would've found it easily. Here," She held out her hand. "Take my hand."
Duo did so.
"Now close your eyes." Hilde instructed.
Duo complied. He felt a tug on his arm and resisted.
"Come on," Hilde said a little impatiently, tugging again.
"You're not going to make me walk into a tree are you?"
"Of course not, I'm just going to take you into Asthernell."
"And I can't go in with my eyes open?"
"Just trust me." Hilde tugged again and this time Duo allowed himself to be led forward. It was slow going. Duo still had slight misgivings about allowing Hilde to lead him blindly through a woods.
After what seemed forever Hilde dropped his hand. "You can open your eyes now."
Duo did and couldn't stop a swift intake of breath. It wasn't a city like any he was used to. Instead it seemed like a woods hidden within a woods. All about him was light and lacy shadows. The trees stretched upwards, giants that spread their branches wide. After looking for a bit he was able to see the beginnings of order in how everything was situated. It wasn't grown wild like a woods normally was. "It's beautiful." He finally managed.
"I know," Hilde sighed, a sound of extreme contentment. She spread her arms wide and twirled slowly, her head tilted back. "It's been so long."
Duo smiled as he watched her. Reluctantly he tore his attention away and yelped in surprise, his hand automatically reaching for his sword. They were surrounded on all sides by grim faced elves, swords and bows at the ready. Slowly Duo dropped his hand to his side. Hilde had moved to his side and gripped his arm as she spoke rapidly in elvish. Duo watched the faces surrounding them and saw no signs of relenting, if anything they became grimmer the longer Hilde spoke. "Hilde? What's going on?" He kept his posture as non-threatening and un-aggressive as he could manage.
"I don't know." Hilde's voice was filled with frustration and the slightest spark of fear. "They think you're an enemy and they won't listen to anything I say."
"It'll be okay." Duo felt his body reacting to the fear in her voice. The instinct of his blood rising up to react and protect. "Listen sweetheart, you've gotta keep from being afraid."
"I'm not afraid." Hilde retorted.
"I can sense it Hilde." Duo chided her. "and it's making it hard for me to be as passive as I obviously need to be right now."
"Sorry," Hilde murmured, her fingers clutching his arm tighter. Her gaze darted around the ring of faces surrounding them and she spoke again, an explosive burst of words that obviously caught the elves surrounding them by surprise.
"Good girl." Duo murmured, feeling her fear retreat, calming the berserker that lurked just below the surface of his faked calm as it went.
A familiar voice broke through the tension surrounding them.
"Zechs." Hilde's voice was filled with relief.
"Hilde." Zechs gave her a smile. "Relena will be thrilled you're here. Duo, good to see you." He gave a nod that Duo returned slowly. Zechs turned his ice blue gaze on the elves and spoke in a somewhat sharp tone. They retreated reluctantly.
"Come on." Zechs herded them both away. He led them through a maze of pathways until they came to what appeared to be a large building that was built around living trees.
"What's going on?" Hilde demanded once they were inside the building.
Zechs spared her quick glance. "Suffice to say you returned at a very bad time. Most elves are extraordinarily suspicious of humans right now." He led them into a room and shut the door. "Relena will be here soon."
"What'd Heero do?" Duo asked.
"What do you mean?" Zechs frowned.
"You said most of your people are suspicious of humans right now. Heero's the only human here isn't he?"
"True, but I didn't do anything."
"Heero!" Duo turned to greet his friend, a slightly sheepish look on his face.
"Most of the elves just don't approve of the fact that I'm bonded with Relena." Heero said shortly.
"By the way," Duo let a little irritation seep into his voice. "Thanks a lot for the message you sent. It was extraordinarily annoying."
"It did its job then." Heero nodded, satisfied. "It got you here in a timely fashion."
"But why exactly did you want us here, especially if we were going to be greeted like we were." Hilde asked, one hand still clutching Duo's arm.
"I apologize for that." Relena entered the room followed closely by Noin who went to stand next to her lifemate. Relena turned, smiling at both Duo and Hilde. "Heero only sent that message because I wanted both of you to be at our bonding ceremony."
"Ohh." Hilde's eyes grew wide and she let out a little squeal of delight before flinging herself at her friend and hugging her tightly. "You're really holding the ceremony? How wonderful!"
Duo watched both girls before turning to his friend. "I'm assuming congratulations are in order." He gave a lopsided smile.
"Hn." Heero glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Duo shook his head and then sighed. "I nearly went berserk." He finally admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "If Hilde hadn't managed to curb her fear I think I would've caused a real incident."
"I'm grateful you were able to control yourself and I apologize for the way you were greeted." Zechs said gravely.
"Don't worry about it." Duo moved to a chair and sat down. He sent a look Hilde's way which she returned, slight worry in her eyes.
"There's more." Relena said softly. "Something's wrong with the Glade of Elai."
00000
Duo couldn't sleep. He paced in his room, making unending circles. A gentle tap on his door caused him to pause in his pacing. After a moment the door opened and Hilde peeked in.
"Did I disturb you?" She asked.
"No." Duo gave a sheepish grin. "I couldn't sleep. Come on in."
Hilde slipped into the room and closed the door behind her. "I'm sorry about what happened."
Duo tilted his head as he regarded her. "What do you have to be sorry for?" He asked. "I already knew I might not be welcomed. I just didn't expect such a negative reception." He moved to sit down on the bed and motioned for Hilde to come sit beside him.
"I guess now's not the time to be mentioning that you want Relena to teach you how to life bond with a human." Duo mused.
"I know." Hilde snuggled against him. "I didn't realize distrust of humans ran so high. I knew there might be some who disapproved but I didn't know it would be as strong as this. Poor Relena."
"What do you mean?"
"She's probably been getting hounded by much of the council, trying to get her to annul her lifebond with Heero."
"I see." Duo considered for a moment. "Heero should be taking care of her though."
"It's not that easy to brush aside." Hilde insisted. "The council of Elders is made up of elves Relena's known and trusted for a long time. She values their opinions and I'm sure their disapproval must be very difficult for her."
"Maybe," Duo was still considering. "But maybe she's matured enough in her journey away from Asthernell that she respects them, but their opinions aren't the alpha and omega that she goes by."
"Hmm." Hilde made a noncommittal noise and was silent for a time. When she next spoke it was in a low whisper. "I almost wish we hadn't come back so soon. It would've been nice to still be out under the sky, carefree."
"You forget," Duo interrupted her. "We had to come back, otherwise Heero's message would've driven us insane." He grinned at the giggle he was able to coax from her. She became somber again in what seemed to be the next breath while she continued her thought from where he'd interrupted her .
"Then at least, I wouldn't know about my people's distrust and fear or the horrible desecration of the Glade."
00000
Mella moved cautiously into the room of the human mage. Although it was right next to the princess's she had never been in it. She murmured a spell to check for magical traps and glanced around. Nothing. She relaxed slightly and took another step forward. Once she was satisfied she was safe she moved quickly, going through the entire room thoroughly. It didn't take long for her to find what she'd been looking for. She picked up the scroll case, checking what was written on the outside. Finished, she replaced it in the exact same place it'd been and slipped from the room.
'
'
'
'
A/N: Maybe this will seem like complaining, and in a way it is. But honestly, two reviews as an average per chapter is kinda pathetic. I am most grateful to Redlion2 and Trevor-x for their continued support of my writing of this story. But all the rest of you readers who make my hit count go higher then 2, especially if you're enjoying this story: REVIEW. I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE READING. GIVE ME SOME APPRECIATION HERE. Thank you.