Darkness at Dawn Part 31
Abdul took a double take and smirked. "I should have expected as much," he whispered, catching a glimpse of the people waiting for them, ahead on the path. He turned in his saddle to call back to the group, "Guess who's ahead of us?"
Treize chuckled. "I was wondering when they'd catch up." The two men shared a look. It figured that Duo would find a way of getting ahead of them. "Shall we?"
"After you, my Lord," Abdul replied, allowing the tall Water Lord to ride ahead of him as they cantered up to where Dawnchild, Angel and Huntress sat, almost lounging as they waited.
Duo looked up lazily as they approached. "Greetings, my friends! I had a feeling we'd run into each other today..."
Treize arched an eyebrow, but refrained from commenting. "Have you been waiting long?"
"Oh, ages..."
"Don't listen to him, Treize," Heero interjected, "or he'll try to have you believe that we've already single-handedly beaten the Dark Army and tell you to go home."
"In other words, our dear Dawnchild friend is up to his usual tricks," the tall man finished dryly, his eyes sparkling with humour. "Some things never change. If you'll forgive me, I'd like to ride back and tell the others we've found you..."
Heero nodded his agreement. "Perhaps the Huntress and I could accompany you?"
~I don't know why, but Duo wants a moment to speak to Abdul alone. Just play along.~
Treize kept an admirably straight face. "Of course! That is, if it's alright with you, friend-Duo..."
The Dawnchild smiled. "Of course! Abdul can keep me company, can't you, Man'gua'nac?"
Abdul found himself nodding along, though he wasn't sure why. "Of course, my Lord..."
He had no idea how, but he was quite suddenly alone with the Fire Lord, and getting more nervous about it with each passing second.
Duo studied the young man sitting across from him, where Berani had been resting before. He evidently found what he was looking for after a few moments, as he asked, "Tell me, Abdul, does my lady cousin know of your feelings?"
The human turned completely white, looking into the unreadable depths of Duo's eyes. "My Lord, I swear to you that I would never dream of doing the slightest thing to cast any dishonour on..."
"I know that," Duo said in a calm, soothing voice, each sound seeming to brush over Abdul's excited nerves as lightly as feathers.
The young man felt himself calming down, and he hung his head. "N- no, my Lord. I would never dream of telling her, either. It is impossible..."
"Giving up already, when it seems you have not yet even tried?" Duo interrupted. "I think it should be perfectly clear that women in this family do as they please."
Abdul looked back up again. "I'm sworn to protect the Raberba family, my Lord! From all dangers, even if they come from my very own heart! Besides, she's a Princess, and I'm nothing but a... a guardsman. I'm no one."
"And I'm a lowly sinner, a pawn in the Great Guardian's game, yet I've dared to fall in love with His servant, the Guardian's Hand," Duo sighed. "You want to talk about impossible! At least you and your Princess belong on the same plane of existence!"
"My Lord?"
Duo's eyes were dark with worry, his shield of laughter for once down completely. "I love him, Abdul. With every ounce of my being, I love the Guardian's Hand. He loves me, too. So why, you might wonder, haven't we consummated this relationship?" His face was drawn and miserable looking. "Because I have no idea what happens when this is all over, that's why. Neither of us do. For all we know, he will be called back into the Upper Halls, and we will spend eternity - quite literally, mind you - pining for one another." Duo managed to crack a smile. "I think your situation with your Princess isn't quite as dire as all that, don't you agree?"
Abdul was humbled. He couldn't begin to imagine... every time he looked at Duo, he had to remind himself that this creature had already lived out at least three lifetimes. Eternity... "I just... I don't know what to do. I could bring shame on myself, on the Lady, on my King, on all the Man'gua'nacs..."
"Or you could become the happiest man on Earth, my boy," Duo said softly. He gave the other man a small smile. "You let me worry about your King and his Captain, alright? I'm sure they will listen to reason."
Abdul was surprised by the generous offer, to say the least. "You have my thanks, of course, but... Why are you bothering? What..."
Duo's smile was soft and wistful. "All things happen for a reason, my friend. The Great Guardian meant for you to feel this way, just as he meant for me to finally find what I needed... in Heero. I won't let anything get in the way of that. It's too precious to lose, simply because it seems impossible, or absurd. You both deserve as much."
Abdul stood and clasped the Dawnchild's hand, hauling him to his feet as he caught sight of their approaching party. "Then I thank you again. But... remember to listen to your own counsel when the time comes, my Lord. If it's meant to be for you... well, then I guess it will happen, won't it?" He turned to walk to his mount.
Duo smiled sadly. "I certainly hope so."
~*~
Quatre sat at the head of his chosen knights at the gates of Sandrock, Trowa on his right and Lucas at his left shoulder, and clasped his hands in anticipation. Soon. Soon - Guardians, are we ever ready to meet a legend coming back to life?
There was a glint of gold in the sky as something flew from the shoulder of the foremost rider, and a loud "Cree!" rent the sky. Trowa chuckled. "Glad to see you, too, my friend," he whispered, holding his arm aloft patiently as the gold streak came closer-
Quatre gaped openly as the great golden eagle floated down to a stately landing on the Earth Lord's waiting arm. "Trowa... what..."
Green eyes met his, glinting in merriment. "Quatre Raberba, I wish to introduce you to Cree, your cousin's eyes in the sky."
The blond couldn't help smiling as those eyes swung around to rest on him, and nodded back as the bird gave him a stately bow of his head. "Well met, Cree. Any friend of my cousin's is welcome here."
"CREE!" The bird took off with a loud cry, swooping over their heads twice before shooting back off towards the approaching riders, and Quatre shot his lover a look. Trowa simply winked back. "If you're lucky, you might meet more of Duo's pets..."
Lucas gave a dry cough. "I don't think he wants a dragon visiting his city, friend-Trowa..."
"Perhaps not," Quatre seconded.
Rashid stirred. "They are here."
~*~
Noin sat straighter in her saddle - the sunlight gleaming off her brother's hair in the distance was unmistakable. I'm home! Goodness, to sleep in a bed again...
She darted a look sideways at her cousin, though, and was immediately curious. What was that look on his face? "Duo? Is something wrong?"
The Dawnchild's bemused smirk widened as he blushed ever so slightly. "No, nothing's wrong. I was just thinking... how much this city has changed since I was last here, since Iria passed away."
"Oh." She looked around, herself. "In a good way, I hope."
She won a full-fledged smile from her cousin that sent a shiver straight through her to her toes. "Definitely. She would have been proud."
His eyes focused on the young blond sitting at the head of the party waiting for them. Meeting Noin had been... well, it had been an interesting experience, to say the least, but to meet someone who looked so much like... her. He felt at once filled with love and hope and empty of it all, knowing that generations separated him and this young man, long years of bloodshed and solitude...
~But not anymore, love,~ Heero's voice whispered in his head, ~no more isolation. I am here, and they are all here... Welcome home.~
He smiled, hands tightening on his reins as he sat up straighter, feeling the sunlight glinting off his armour.
~*~
Wufei couldn't help the feeling of pride that coursed through his veins, riding in such a company. They were no longer the defeated remnants, fleeing the destruction of the Sank Kingdom. For the first time, he truly felt a part of something greater, and along with it came a sense of being and of purpose that thrilled his soul. Without his knowledge, his aura burned to life around him, ever so slightly...
Zechs chuckled at his side. "It gets to one, truly."
Wufei immediately bowed his head, smiling self-deprecatingly. "You feel it, too, my Lord?"
"Undoubtedly." They looked ahead to where Treize and Dorothy rode side by side and both smiled.
Looking skyward, Wufei whispered a quick few words, "No clouds, just sunlight."
The skies cleared, and the small group of riders came to a halt at the gates of Sandrock.
~*~
Noin rode forward slowly, purposefully, and bowed to her brother. "Quatre, I've brought visitors."
He laughed as he urged his mount forward and lifted his sister's hand to kiss it. "Welcome home, sister! You have been missed here."
She smiled at the radiant happiness in her brother's face. "Yet you look better than ever... Hmmm..." She threw a quick wink to Trowa, who gave her a silent nod back, and then turned. "But come- I have some introductions to make."
Quatre felt a thrill straight up his spine as he came face-to-face with Duo Maxwell, and he took a deep breath before speaking. "This one needs no introduction. Cousin..."
Duo laughed in response to his cousin's lack of words, like bells on the air. "What does one say to a fairytale that rides into one's city? It is a great honour to meet you in person, Quatre Raberba, and even greater to see that my aunt lives on in you." He clasped the slender blond's hand warmly.
Quatre was almost overwhelmed at the sheer force of the creature whose hand he was shaking, but he managed to restrain himself from throwing himself into the Dawnchild's arms for a hug. "No- the honour is mine, Duo Maxwell. Welcome home."
He moved on to the next set of riders, all the while feeling a thrill of excitement coursing through his mind. There is something terribly right about this meeting, about this group... "You are Heero Yuy, Hand of the Guardian. You do me a great honour in your visit."
Heero gave the blond a bow and a light smile. "It is a pleasure to meet a kinsman of Duo Maxwell."
Quatre felt a momentary flutter in his mind, but ignored it as his gaze swept to the blonde woman at Heero's side. "You I do not recognise- but you must be the Lady Dorothy. I have heard much of you- welcome to my city."
"His Lordship is too kind," Dorothy murmured, falling into a bow after Zechs lifted her down from her mount. She shot a smile of thanks over her shoulder to the tall blond man, and Quatre followed her gaze-
"Zechs! It gladdens my heart to see you safe and sound." Quatre stepped forward and gave the taller blond a hearty handshake, which Zechs returned.
Zechs had always liked the Raberba, and had truly hoped that the young man would take a liking to his sister. "A pleasure to see you, Quatre, as always. And to be in a real city again. Ah!" His eyes swept over the crowd.
Quatre smiled in understanding. "I have someone here in my keeping, Zechs, who I'm sure you'd like to see." He motioned over his shoulder, and the guards parted easily to let a slender form through-
"Relena! By the Guardians!" Zechs darted forward to sweep her into a close hug, but she held out a hand to stop him at the last moment.
Zechs' eyes went wide as he stared down into the tearful face of his younger sister, his whole being clenching in anger. That monster... my poor, beautiful sister, what did they do to you... She finally found her voice. "Oh, Zechs, can you ever forgive me? My brother..."
"Relena," he knelt before her and took her hand in his, "I care not for what happened in the past. I can see you have suffered for it. Believe me when I tell you - there is nothing to forgive. Now let me hold you!" He pulled her into his arms and felt tears on his own cheeks as she embraced him back, her breath hitching in her chest.
As he pulled back, Zechs turned back to a beaming Quatre. "I can never repay you for looking after her for me, my Lord."
"No payment needed," Quatre replied, pulling his own sister close to his side.
Noin yanked on his arm to pull him onwards, and Quatre let himself be led along. He smiled, though, as they stopped at the next set of riders. "Captain Chang!" He returned Wufei's military salute with a crisp one of his own. "I always knew there was something special about you, Lord of Air. Welcome back to Sandrock."
He turned to the next man and felt himself blushing. From the look in the taller man's bright blue eyes, he knew why, too. "Treize Kushrenada, Lord of Water, it is a double pleasure to welcome you to my home."
As they shook hands, Treize had to ask, "A double pleasure?"
Quatre returned the smile. "Once for yourself and again for your brother," he said, even as Trowa caught up with them from having made his own greetings.
"Trowa!" Treize engulfed his brother in a hug and, as an afterthought, pulled Quatre in, as well. His voice lowered to a whisper for only the other two to hear, "It pleases me to see both of you so happy in one another."
Noin laughed as she hauled both Quatre and Trowa back by the arms and hooked her own through one each of theirs. "Brother! We must continue or the sun will set before you've greeted all your guests."
Quatre and Treize shared a look of amusement before he allowed himself to be dragged forward to where two young Sank guardsmen had both fallen into graceful bows. He saluted them both, as per Sandrock custom. "Otto and Walker, you are both welcome to my city. I promise you both - we will make those responsible pay for the destruction of your homeland, and you will live there again, one day." They returned his salute, standing proud and straight.
Quatre's smile broadened as he caught sight of the next person in the group. "Welcome home, Abdul!" He gave the Man'gua'nac salute.
Abdul saluted back sharply. "Thank you, my Lord. It is nice to be back."
Quatre leaned closer and shook his soldier's hand, his voice lowering conspiratorially, "And my congratulations at having survived the care of your charge."
"Hey!"
Both men laughed as Noin cried out indignantly, but Abdul met her eyes. "It was an honour and a privilege to guard her Ladyship, my King. One could not have asked for a better travelling companion or charge."
Seeing his sister's smile at the guard's words, Quatre arched an eyebrow, but refrained from commenting. He clapped Abdul on the shoulder before turning to the last person. His eyes went wide as they met the golden ones of the Huntress. "I am sorry, my lady, but I know you not..."
Noin placed a comforting hand on the young King's arm. "No, brother, for she is a fairly new companion, bringing news of the approaching enemy. Berani the Huntress is her name."
Quatre gave the Huntress a bow. "Indeed? You are most welcome in Sandrock, Huntress."
Berani did not reply, but nodded serenely, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took in the man before her. I can see how he inspires such loyalty - there is a truth in his bearing that few could ever hope to match. This is the man Ramar hopes to make war upon? She reached into her pocket and pulled Noin's brooch to hand it back to the Lady. "I thank you for the protection you offered, Princess."
Noin nodded as she took the token back.
The group re-mounted and made its way up through town as one. Duo couldn't help his grin as he saw the looks on people's faces, watching them from windows and walkways. He heard his own name whispered-
Quatre leaned closer from his place at Duo's side. "To most of these people, cousin, you are a legend. There is even a statue in town that bears a remarkable likeness to you."
Duo laughed out loud. "Iria actually had the thing built? She promised she wouldn't!"
"She didn't," Quatre commented wryly, "Quazer did. You never made him promise, if I'm not mistaken."
The Dawnchild hung his head, his eyes dancing as he remembered. "No, I did not."
On his other side, Heero smiled and held out his hand.
If anyone noticed the Dawnchild and Angel holding each other's hand as they made their way to the castle, no one would have dared to say a word.
~*~
"I disagree! You, of all people, should know not to anger him! Have you gone mad?!"
"It's our last chance, you dolt! Can't you see? He's grown soft! Weak! Pitifully inadequate to the task!"
"Really?" Heller couldn't help asking. "Then why are we hiding down here, hm? Gerald is right. I, for one, will not help you if you insist upon..."
Jareth snarled, "Fine! I have acted alone before. Go ahead and join the rest of them in snivelling at his feet! You'll deserve the death you bring!"
As the door slammed behind the irate Dawnchild, the other four stared at each other in shock. "What do we do now?"
~*~
Heero gave the servant who showed him and Duo to their quarters a polite bow before following the Dawnchild into the chamber. "Dear Guardians!" he sighed, moving straight to the bed and throwing himself down upon it. "I am not moving until tomorrow morning."
"That's a shame. We planned a feast in honour of your arrival."
Both Heero and Duo looked up, startled, and just as quickly both stood to give a deep bow to the woman sitting in a chair in the far corner of their room. Duo straightened first. "Mother Healer, I am glad to see you again."
Sally stood, her robes flowing about her regally, and moved forward to embrace the Dawnchild fondly. "And you, Duo. It has been too long."
Duo grabbed her hand and pulled her over to where Heero was watching them bemusedly. "This is Heero. Heero, this is Sally Po, Mother Healer."
Sally reached out on impulse and took hold of one of Heero's hands. "I see. A truly special person to have captured our Duo's fancy."
Heero felt himself blushing, and he ducked his head. "I am only a soldier at His will, my Lady..."
"Oh, you are far more than that, Heero Yuy," she murmured, stepping back to look at both immortals. She sighed, feeling her age setting in even more as she looked back over at Duo. "You make me feel old, Duo, just looking at you. I haven't seen you in twenty years, yet you look no different. I am the one with lines on my face."
"And yet you still try to mother me, dear lady," the Dawnchild returned quickly. Seeing the confused look on Heero's face, he quickly explained, "It is a little known fact that my Aunt Iria was the first Mother Healer, who taught her craft to humans of talent, so it would be passed along. Before she... she passed on, she charged me with looking after her Order, and so I have overseen the swearing of every Mother Healer since. The last time I saw Mistress Sally here face-to-face, she was a slip of a lass of seventeen, with her hair done in braids and a mischievous streak to her a mile wide."
Heero snorted. "To hear you commenting on someone else's tendency to mischief, Duo..."
Sally laughed. "I agree! But we have much to discuss, Duo, an awful lot..."
"The Mad Five?"
She nodded sagely. "They have been missing since your party was sighted approaching the city, Duo. I fear what they might do."
Duo turned to stare out the window, his eyes taking on a darker, stormier aspect that made them seem to glow with inner fire. "I can feel them, Sally. They are confused- they don't know what to believe, anymore, and Jareth likes me as little now as he ever did..."
Sally put a hand on the cold mail covering his forearm. "He would have to be thrice a fool to act, now that you have arrived. He was unnerved enough at seeing your kinsman, Lucas, that I can only imagine what he feels with you so close by."
Heero came to stand at the Lady's other shoulder. "We will have to watch for them closely, then. It would be criminal to do any more, unless they act first."
"That is what I fear, though, Angel-mine," Duo said, his eyes still dark with worry as he turned back to face the others. "If I let them act first, I can only hope that I can repair whatever damage they do." He turned to Sally. "Can we have someone find them and keep an eye on them? I'd much prefer to deal with them now, but we have precious little time before banquet."
"I will speak with Rashid," she replied, and gave him a quick smile before turning to the doorway. She stopped once more, though, before leaving. "It is a relief to finally have you here, both of you."
The door closed softly.
Heero sighed deeply as he felt a set of arms encircling his waist and leaned back into the touch. "Ah, Duo..." He shivered as the Dawnchild pressed a kiss to his throat, just below his ear.
Duo buried his face against the Angel's hair. "Do you ever find yourself wishing you didn't have to take such responsibility all the time?"
Heero smiled at that, and wordlessly freed himself from the other immortal's embrace to begin unlacing his armour. "It's all the life I know, love."
Duo held his arms up and breathed deeply in relief as Heero lifted the armour plates off of him, followed by the chain mail underneath. "But just think of it - how much simpler and easier life could be if more people bothered to think before they acted." He shook his head as he turned and began unlacing Heero's armour in turn.
The angel breathed a sigh of relief as the heavy metal was lifted away. "Sometimes... mmm... sometimes angels must go where fools do not dare to tread."
Duo snorted as he carefully laid the armour aside. "I'm not sure I wish to know what that means." Succumbing to the lure of the bed, Duo flopped back onto it and sighed deeply. "Ah, to finally sleep on a real mattress..."
Heero smiled fondly as he stared down at the creature he loved. "Later, Duo. I don't think your cousin would be happy if we missed banquet."
Duo groaned, but rose obediently and moved to stare Heero in the eyes for a long moment before taking his face in his hands gently and pressing a kiss to his lips. "I love you, Heero."
The Angel pulled Duo close against him, his hand closing around the silky length of Duo's braid. "And I, you."
~*~
"Abdul!"
The Man'gua'nac stopped, startled, as someone called his name, and he turned-
He sucked in his breath, hoping to the Great Guardian that he wasn't staring. Lady Noin was dressed in a deep indigo gown that brought out the starry colour of her eyes, her cheeks flushed in her excitement over being home...
And she wanted to talk to... him?
He stepped forward and gave her a deep bow. "Lady."
She smiled as she swept closer. "I wanted to say thank you. Very few people..." she stopped speaking, but tried again, "It's rare that a person treats me as just another person, not a princess. I appreciated that."
He smiled, feeling his heart beating wildly in his chest. "I hope we can remain friends, then?"
"I would like that." Noin gave him a beaming smile.
He bowed, as though to leave, but she stopped him with a hand on his arm. "You are coming to the banquet, are you not?"
"Of course, my Lady!"
She wrapped her arm in his. "Then if you don't mind, I seem to be in need of an escort."
Abdul was torn between cloud-jumping elation and the soul-eating fear of what Rashid would have to say, but it all faded away as she smiled at him again. He smiled back. "I don't mind, at all."
TBC...
Back to Ashkara's Fanfictions Page