Title: Historical Bloodlines

Author: Karina

Rating: PG

Pairing: Huán Hu, Quatre + Duo + Wu Fei +Milliardo

Notes: Challenge 189. Baby Series 4 #25 Takes place a few minutes after A Mother's Love.

Spoilers: None

Warnings: Extended Length

Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.

Title: Historical Bloodlines

At least they had a sense of honour and paid due respect to the status of the Clan.

Huán Hu kept his back stiff, his head erect and ignored the ache developing in his feet and legs. He was not as young as he used to be and formal occasions, be they of the traditional style he was accustomed to or the Western style he now endured, necessitated a great deal of standing. It was always the feet and legs that went first, but that was to be expected when one was of advancing years.

He had learned the art of shifting his weight subtly to extend the time he might remain firmly on his feet early in his career. The formal raiment he wore would hide the subtle shifting. Before he moved he would need to rock just a little on his feet and flex his knees to awaken the sensitivity of his feet, so that he did not disgrace himself or his clan. It would not do to demonstrate weakness by displaying physical distress.

He was relieved that the degree of formality equated to the importance of The Chang. Brutish Westerners they might be, but at least they acknowledged the ancestry and importance of the bloodline. He watched and assessed, and had not found as much to complain about as he had expected. Over time he had learned that too many of the modern governments had no sense of the appropriate formality required to suitably honour ancient bloodlines. In this day and age it was all rushing and dealing. The process of understanding the degree of greeting required in social formalities was less important in the big business world where time was money.

Perhaps it was the age of the leadership of the country that was the difference here. For all that Sanc had been invaded, her monarchy killed and her people subjugated, the restoration appeared to have reversed the clock. The officials he had met during the course of the evening had demonstrated they understood the importance of impressions and mutual respect for an old established order.

It gave him hope. Perhaps something of the old traditions might yet survive this proposed union between Sanc and Chang. His eyes flicked to where The Chang stood with a group of young associates. As he watched the blonde King joined the group and he observed as the stiff formality displayed with everyone else softened and vanished with this select group. He shifted subtly, sliding closer, watching the room around him…

"… tells me he found the portrait in the attics. I look forward to viewing it." The Chang inclined his head to the King, respectful but in a relaxed manner.

"What portrait is this?" That was the blonde Winner who well might end up owning all of Sanc if matters continued to progress as they were.

"The portrait of QiuYue. I told you about it didn't I, Quatre? About finding the portrait and losing it again in the mess up there?" The one with the ever watchful eyes and the smile that did not quite hide the killer lurking within from one who had the eyes to see it.

But what…? QuiYue? The Autumn Moon? A sidled step closer still, a subtle shifting, just that little bit closer to make it easier to hear them over the general noise of the gathering. A portrait of someone with a distinctly Chinese name…?

"… Milliardo knew about it, too, but not where it was."

"There is much of the history of Sanc that was stolen in the invasion, Duo. It pleases me the portrait has come to light again, and I would like to see it. I wish I could find the original watercolour said to have been painted by the lady's hand maiden, but I very much doubt we will ever see that again. It was fragile when it last appeared in the King's Diaries, and with the events of the last score of years I very much doubt it survived, if it was not already gone to dust a few generations ago."

"You told us a little about the legend of her but you never told us what happened to her, just that she never became Queen." The smiling killer did not, even now, take his eyes off the crowd.

"I am not really certain about any of the details of her life, you understand. I was very young when I saw the portrait, and I have never set eyes on the original watercolour painted in traditional Chinese style. There were said to be a few of her possessions in the treasury archives, though. A Jade Dragon being the most notable, and some smaller figurines. I think there might have been a brush and comb set at one time, but I am not certain. I can't even tell you where in China she came from, but I overheard my father comment one time that she might have been one of the Princesses who were wed to the barbarian's who invaded China repeatedly. Perhaps a member of the mogul horde or another group?"

The King had their attention, particularly that of The Chang and, he admitted, he was himself curious.

"There are differing accounts, but the most accepted, as in the theory being more likely to have occurred, is that she was taken in a raid from a village her party had stopped in on the way to her unwanted wedding. She was brought to the village that is presumed to be a few miles up the coast from here, or so I am informed by a group of archaeologists claiming to have found the original site of the chieftains settlement from about that time, who are seeking backing for a dig in that general area."

"You do not sound as though you believe them?" Quatre looked to Milliardo with a slightly arched eyebrow.

"Our modern coastlines are very different to those that were here in ancient times, but I am trying to be neutral on that matter. There is not a great deal of money around, certainly insufficient for me to fund the enterprise they are suggesting, but we are opening negotiations with them over their proposal."

The chestnut haired young man with the striking braid and the lurking killer within, smiled at a noble who appeared to have second thoughts about approaching the group. He was careful to keep his face forward, directed away from the group that held his interest. He had a good sense for people and he already knew this was one of the most dangerous individuals he had been introduced to during the course of the evening.

Gundam Pilots. They were everywhere, he knew. Sanc boasted all five of them at present, circulating about the room, employed for the evening by the Sanc Security Agency, with the exception of the Winner and his bodyguard. He was not a fool. He had not survived in the traditional court by being a fool, and he had no intention of slacking in his vigilance simply because the colony was destroyed. There was still a Chang, still a Clan, and he would serve unto death.

Whether he liked the young man who now had the title or not.

"Do you have any idea how QieYuy died?"

The pale King looked thoughtful and he was careful not to be caught staring. The man was striking, in a very large, very pale way. It was a concern to him, just how different the Clan characteristics were to this European country and its bloodlines. They were from very different stock and he was justified in his concerns of how well it would be possible to live peaceably together. Their cultures were so vastly different and any interbreeding would destroy the purity of the clan.

"There are differing versions of that too, but one thing they have in common is that she died protecting her son. The most prominent of the stories is that she and her son, who was less than ten, I believe, were attacked by a wild bore and the lady threw herself between the boy and the animal before a band of warriors could intervene. Another possible option is that there was a raid on the village by a rival House, and the lady protected her son at the cost of her life. There are a few more stories, but the common thread through them all is that she sacrificed herself for her child. Of course, there is another tale that she died giving birth to a second child, and also that she was killed by her husband in a fit of jealous rage that she was being wooed by a rival."

The Winner demonstrated how young he was by looking grave at the mention of the woman dying in childbirth. Something in his personal history, no doubt, but the others looked briefly at the King who had lost his wife in such a manner not so long ago. It was a measure of the bonds linking them that no word was spoken and the King appeared at ease in their presence, speaking without distress of such matters.

"It is a pretty name, quite beautiful, really," The Winner shifted, pale eyes sliding over the crowded room. "What does it mean? I know enough to know that Chinese names are supposed to have special significance."

"Autumn Moon," The King inclined his head briefly to the young men. "If you will excuse me, gentlemen, its time to move on and mingle. Duo, I would like to see the portrait later, if you would."

"Sure thing. She was your grandmother, wasn't she? I mean, she was a direct ancestor, yes?"

The blonde head inclined slightly. "So it is said, with a long list of 'greats' added to 'grandmother'. Her son became King and I am of direct descent from him, despite family feuds, wars and scheming by friend and foe alike through the centuries. Now, please, enjoy the rest of the evening."

It was, thus far, proving to be an informative evening. By observing, listening, and keeping his own council he was learning for his clan's benefit about this new place their leader had been brought them to. The history of the place was an important element to the nature of the people now walking the land. If they too were to walk it, side by side with a culture so very different to their own, then he needed to know all that he could.

The Autumn Moon? The bloodline of China, however diluted, ran in the veins of the rulers of this country? He was uncertain, but if this was truth and not a conversation set up to ensnare his interest, then it might prove to be of use. The Chang, after all, must provide an heir, and a suitable mate must be found.

Sanc had a Princess, after all.

End

Karina Robertson 2012