Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. It's a loan.

Warnings: Shounen-ai, OOCs, AU (what else do I write?)

Circle of Destiny

Part 16

"Why did my father sent you with me?" Princess Relena Peacecraft stood at the throne room next to one of the stable hands, Dermail.

Something about the man made her skin crawl. This man just came into her country a few short weeks before. In her opinion, he was lazy and opinionated. He was arrogant and thought too much of himself. He was apparently from Kyrin at one point in time but what he had done here, Relena didn't want to know. She didn't even want to be here right now. She wasn't sure what her father wanted her to do but she was not going to be a bride for the king. She had heard rumours of how breathtakingly handsome the current king was, but she just wasn't interested.

She had more things to do for her own country than to be sold off as a treaty prize to another kingdom. Now only if her father would understand this logic.

"I am here to make sure everything is in order," Dermail told her loftily with an odd gleam in his eyes. He had forgotten his place with the princess, especially after coming back to the place where he once reigned almost supreme.

Relena bristled at the insolence dripping from the servant's tone. "Please be informed that you are here to serve me, and not the other way around. Watch your tone with me, for I will have you flogged."

Dermail bit his tongue, lowering his eyes appropriately. He needed to take care of his attitude. He was so close to victory now, he shouldn't let one small detail like a bratty princess make him forget his plan. King Peacecraft needed an elf slave, and he was going to get some. His former staff's eyes widened as they recognised him and he felt like burying himself in the ground. He was once in charge of the entire stables but now he was merely a hanger on, a lackey to a young spoilt princess. But soon that would change.

His expression tightened when he saw the slave the king brought home, grooming one of the horses. He seemed to be whispering softly to them, and then laughing when they nuzzled him. The entire sight brought a bitter twist to Dermail's lips. No, this would not do. He would get his proper place again. He would free the king from this elf's spell, or whatever this slave was pretending to be. He would keep his eyes open and his ears peeled for any information of witchcraft or other forms of magic meant the do King Heero harm.

When he saved King Heero from the slave's evil clutches, he would be once more welcome to serve again. He noted with some satisfaction the fear in the slave's odd coloured eyes when their gazes met. He stared hard at the slave, his eyes narrowing threateningly. The slave ducked behind the horse.

Yes, the slave should fear him. If he was anything the rumours said he was, he should definitely fear Dermail.

They were shown to the throne room, where of course, Dermail was required to wait outside. Relena stepped into the room, trying to squelch her amazement. While the town itself disgusted her; there were many remnants from the filth of trading human lives and freedom, the castle itself was pristine and beautiful. The entire room practically glittered with gold and jewels. She shuddered at the ostentatious of the act. Upon the throne sat a man, given a few more years, would look imposing. But as it is, he was rather a sight to behold.

"Your Majesty," Relena curtsied, wishing those blue eyes staring down at her would look a little less cold. She was not one to believe in love at first sight. She was after all a princess. Her marriage would be decided out of political manoeuvring and not for her lasting happiness. But she couldn't really deny the increase of her heart rate when staring at the handsome man draped lazily on the throne. There were however, more important things to do than to fall in love, get married and have a large number of children.

King Heero inclined his head. "How is your father?" He sounded clipped and mechanical, like he was merely going through the motions of courtesy.

"Well, thank you," she smiled graciously, noting a movement near the throne. It was the King's cousin, Lord Trowa Barton. He was the king's eternal shadow and many whispers said his assassin as well. Relena believed most of them to be completely unfounded. Lord Trowa looked too kind to be an assassin.

"What do I owe the honour of your visit?" King Heero finally spoke after a long period of silence.

Relena blushed. How could she have led decorum completely flee from her mind at the sight of the first handsome man she sees? Her father, not to mention her brother would have been completely disappointed with her. "Oh, I have a missive from my father. He said you would know what to do after you read it. I have a feeling it is to do with our betrothal."

The king sat up in his throne and stared at her. "What betrothal?" He barked. He ran to Relena and snatched the piece of parchment from her hands. With shaking hands, he quickly unrolled it, paling with each word he read. "I would remember if I was betrothed to you," he spat each word evenly.

Relena felt a stabbing in her heart at the venomous tone. "It happened when we were young, my Lord. Your father and mine were good friends, I think."

"My mother would have told me," the King retorted, running his fingers through his hair.

"Are you trying to tell me, you are denying this ever happened?" Relena asked, incredulous. It was true that even she had known about this betrothal for a few short weeks but she was the one to reject the king, not the other way around. It was somewhat of a matter of pride actually.

The King looked like he was trying to hold on desperately to a temper set to blow at any minute. "That's not what I am saying, Princess. I just do not believe that my mother would keep something like this from you. And I am saying that you father is an opportunistic bastard."

Before Relena knew it, her hand flew and connected with King Heero's cheek. The King didn't even flinch. Actually, he didn't even move. A shocked gasp escaped her. She couldn't believe she had actually attacked someone. But the King asked for it. How could he say something that… cruel? True, but completely cruel. She wasn't going to defend her father for it but that didn't give Heero the right to say it.

King Heero cleared his throat. "My apologies, that was uncalled for. But yes, I do intend to deny our betrothal unless someone else can confirm this matter. You will be shown to your room and you may be free to roam the castle. Please ask for an escort before you leave the castle walls."

Relena stared at the King for a long silent moment before spinning on her heels and striding out the door, her shoes resounding loudly on the cold stone floor.

This would not be the end of it. The King would not be the one who end this. She was the Princess of Sanq and it was she who chose if she wanted to remain betrothed, and not the other way around.

XXxxXX

In the days that followed the princess' arrival, the situation in the castle became tense. Feldrock was a place with secrets, and its inhabitants the biggest one of all. There have been reports filtering to Trowa about suspicious activity by the princess' entourage, namely Dermail. He was asking questions in certain quarters and poking around things he had no business in. Their servants were of course obsessed about keeping their princes a secret from those prying eyes but they were starting to feel fear of exposure themselves. The rumours surrounding Kyrin got stronger and more people came to actually see if they were harbouring elves.

Things got increasingly desperate as everyone started to feel the strain of lies. Duo felt it more with the princess and he felt that he was being punished with a repeating cycle of history. However, he was still refusing to be civil to Heero. Things were made worse for him with Dermail riding on him every chance he got. The man didn't dare hurt him but Duo froze each time those cold, calculative eyes landed on him.

The princess had remained in Kyrin. She had marched up to Heero and said that she would honour the betrothal contract. Heero had, of course, flown into a rage but Relena had insisted that they 'get to know each other'. She had stayed tried to insinuate herself into every aspect of his life. Trowa knew how frustrated Heero was at the sudden limited time he had with Duo, with the princess always underfoot. He also knew that this was Relena's 'revenge' at being rejected. She was probably a very good girl, but the age old adage of 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' was definitely accurate. Heero had scorned Relena and now he was paying the price. If Heero was to deny Relena, their countries might eventually lead to war. They could ill afford that at this time and fortunately Heero understood this and bore with Relena's attentions.

However, Relena was getting increasing frustrated with the lack of progress she got with Heero. It never crossed her mind that perhaps Heero enjoyed more masculine attentions than her own.

But there was more to it. Everyday Relena stayed with them, she got closer and closer to their secret about the elves and the Myst. Trowa was afraid that Quatre might be hurt by all of this.

Trowa closed his eyes, rubbing his temples of the headache that was building slowly. He didn't understand how this thing had managed to fall apart so quickly. If the marriage were to go ahead against Heero's wishes, then King Peacecraft would have his pick of their resources. That could even mean their slaves. And with Duo and Quatre looking like they did, it would be little surprise if King Peacecraft might demand these two as part of Relena's bride price. They couldn't deny King Peacecraft something as minor as a slave without insulting the king and possibly starting hostilities between these two nations. But Trowa would never give Quatre up, especially to a lecherous and greedy king like the King of Sanq.

Deep down he knew it was time to let Quatre go but was he able to? It was time that they let all the elves go. That was the only way Quatre wouldn't get hurt. But he knew Quatre would never leave him willingly.

"My Lord," Wufei appeared by his side.

Trowa startled. He never knew the guard could move so fast and so silently. "What do you want?" He intoned passively.

Wufei winced imperceptibly at the rejection but forged on. This was after all not about his feelings, but about the survival of his people. "You know what you must do."

"What do you mean?" Trowa eyed Wufei suspiciously.

"There is a home waiting for all of us who left to find our treasure. We found all three. It is time for us to go home."

Trowa started shaking his head even before the last word left Wufei's lips. The thought of Quatre leaving hurt so badly. He didn't want to be alone. He couldn't bear a future without his little elf. "I… I.."

"This sudden interest by the King of Sanq is definitely suspicious and we both know it. There are too many rumours from Kyrin about their slaves being elves. We have all heard of it," Wufei forged on relentlessly. "Our identities have been exposed."

"I can protect him!"

"Can you?" Wufei almost sneered. "For how long? What happens after you die? What happens if something happens to his tree?"

Trowa flinched as the truth of each statement hit him. Quatre was decades… centuries older than he was. It wouldn't be long before he would be laying on his deathbed and Quatre would still look like he did now. What would happen after he passed on? Who would take care of his elf as he deserved to be taken care of? Perhaps it would be better to let him go, return to him home forest. Disappear from the real world. Disappear from his life.

God, his chest hurt. Was this what a heart breaking felt like? A warm hand landed on his shoulder, patting him consolingly.

"Release him."

Trowa turned to face Wufei. "You want me to just tell him to leave?"

"My prince loves you. His brother wouldn't leave him here alone with you. And his brother has with him the very thing that can save my race," Wufei explained sadly. "For all of us to be saved, you need to break Quatre's heart."

The young noble reeled from the enormity of his task, and the cruelty of it but if it was to save Quatre from years of pain in the future, perhaps Wufei was right? Hurt him now and let his family and his people save him instead of letting him live in perpetual exile amongst a race that would always persecute his people?

"I will tell him."

"Trowa?" A soft voice came from the door. Standing before it was someone Trowa wished wasn't here at the moment. Was fate that cruel that he had to tell him goodbye so fast? That they didn't have anymore time together? Then he realised with a jolt of hatred that this was probably Wufei's plan, sending Quatre to see him at this moment. That Wufei wanted to be rid of humans and return home. That Wufei wanted his heart to shatter into a million pieces by sending Quatre away.

"Quatre," Trowa breathed, striding rapidly to the slight man and pulling him into his arms almost desperately. The man in his arms stiffened.

"My Lord?" Quatre queried warily.

Wufei had mysteriously disappeared, leaving them two alone. This would be hard on both of them but the threat of them being found out was getting increasingly apparent which each passing day. And he couldn't risk both their princes to possibly be captured by the King of Sanq. They were lucky with Heero but he doubted the King of Sanq was anything like Heero. They had to leave very soon and Quatre was their only way out of Kyrin.

Trowa pulled back and stared into lovely blue-green eyes. They were shadowed with confusion and a slight fear. He took a deep breath. "You have to leave here. Go back to your home."

Quatre flinched as if hit. "What?"

Trowa spun around, not wanting to see the pain in Quatre's eyes. "I want you to leave Kyrin. I want you to take all your people and go."

"Why?" Quatre yelled, grabbing Trowa's shoulder, trying to turn him around.

"Because your staying here is…" Trowa swallowed. "Complicating things."

"What? How?" There was incredulity in Quatre's tone.

This was so difficult. Did he have to be cruel to be kind? Can he do it? Trowa allowed himself to be turned and stared down into Quatre's handsome face. He thought of a bleak future with him and even bleaker future for Quatre with him, when he died. With him no longer there to keep Quatre's secrets and to ensure those secrets were never revealed, where would his love be? And would Quatre follow him to the grave? His breath caught at the thought of Quatre ending his own life because Trowa wasn't about to live forever. It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair. They were supposed to be able to grow old together, to complain about aching joints and lack of fibre in their food together.

He had to do it.

Taking a deep breath, Trowa schooled his face into impassiveness. "Seeing Relena here has reminded me of… things."

"Things?" Quatre cocked his head in confusion.

"That I too have an obligation to my family, my…" Trowa's voice wavered slightly. "…line."

Quatre paled as understanding hit. "You are ashamed of loving another male."

Trowa took a step back, feeling like he had been punched in the stomach. Never had that thought crossed his mind. Never had he planned for this to be the reason to push Quatre away and keep him safe from the ravages of time and grief. But he jumped on that excuse anyway. He fixed a sneer on his face.

"Yes, somewhat."

Quatre shook his head in confusion. "But… but… you told me you loved me. You told me you wanted to be forever with me."

And I do!Trowa screamed silently. He did the only thing he could in the absence of words, he turned away from the one thing he wanted more than life itself.

He turned away from Quatre.

Away from his happiness.

Away from the other part of his soul.

And watched as his heart turned to ash.

tbc