Bride of War Part 7

Heero had few friends among the other deities but those he did have were faithful in their support of him. Trowa, the God of Stealth, Assassins, and Thieves was a good friend who had decided to help Heero in any way he could. He had searched for Duo on behalf of his friend and finally it had paid off.

He had discovered Hilde's secret island. He had thoroughly observed the workings of the island and had realized it was warded everywhere except a slim stretch of beach at the bottom of a set of cliffs from which her temple overlooked. This tiny slip of land was Heero's only hope for gaining access to the island undetected. Rushing to his friend's temple, Trowa gave Heero his news.

For the first time since Duo's disappearance, Heero felt his heart lighten. He hurried towards Hilde's island knowing that he had little time left to entice Duo to come to him... it was only two days to the youth's birthday.

Duo was preparing for his induction to the ranks of Hilde's worshippers. He would make his dedication at midnight on his birthday. He loved the people on the island but couldn't help but feel that it was wrong for him to take the vows. He still had a niggling doubt that this was not the future he originally wanted, despite what Hilde had told him.

He decided to go to his room and spend some time watching the ocean from his balcony. He could see the only strip of beach from his balcony but he had never been down to it; for some reason he was afraid of the beach and the water that flowed on it.

He had just settled down to meditate when he saw the striking youth walking on the beach, his feet still in the water. The somber teenager looked familiar to Duo, but he just couldn't place him. He glanced around quickly to make sure no one was watching; it was forbidden to go onto the beach and he didn't want the strange boy to get into trouble.

He quickly made his way down to the edge of the beach without stepping onto it and addressed the stranger.

"You really shouldn't be here. It's forbidden to be on the beach. You should leave before you get into trouble."

"I won't get into trouble. Why don't you join me. Just for a minute. You'll like the feel of the water on your feet and the sand between your toes."

Duo really wanted to join the boy but he couldn't overcome the fear that filled his world at the thought of stepping onto the beach. He turned and ran back to the temple and disappeared into its depths.

Heero clamped down on his howl of frustration and left to plan for his final attempt to win his love back from Hilde. He knew she was responsible for the memory loss and fear of the beach in his precious one.

It was the day of Duo's birthday. All day Heero watched the beach and looked for an opportunity to lure Duo to him, but the braided youth was surrounded all day. Soon night fell and with each passing hour his hope for retrieving Duo dwindled.

It was just fifteen minutes before midnight and his chance finally arose. Duo had stepped out onto his balcony for a breath of fresh air and to briefly escape the crowd at his birthday celebration. He spotted the dark-haired boy from the prior day and waved to him, then he gasped in horror as the boy seemed to falter and disappear under the waves.

Duo quickly climbed over the low balcony and dropped the short distance to the earth below. Rolling, he kept from injuring himself. He ran to the edge of the beach and stopped.

Again he was overwhelmed by the fear. He gulped and hesitated, then he saw the boy surface, cry for help and then sink again. Clamping down firmly on his fear, he ran onto the beach and entered the water.

Heero held his breath and prayed his ruse would work. Duo was a healer. Heero hoped that by faking a drowning, Duo would be able to overcome Hilde's compulsion and enter the water. He cried in triumph as Duo entered the water and his reach. Even as he encircled his beloved in his arms, he heard Hilde's cry of despair as she realized she had lost her prize. Baring his teeth at her, he disappeared with Duo in arms, leaving the goddess sobbing on the beach.

Duo was shocked to suddenly find himself in a dying garden, filled with dying animals. Turning, he pulled away from his abductor.

"Who are you and why have you brought me here?"

"You know me, Duo! Fight the memory block Hilde placed in your mind! I can remove it, but it's better if you defeat it yourself."

Duo stared hard at the teenager who seemed so familiar. He stepped forward and gently caressed the cold, beautiful face. He felt an overwhelming impulse to kiss the shapely lips and gave into the urge. He leaned forward and delicately kissed the lips before he found himself in an unbreakable embrace, his mouth being devoured by the haunted looking boy.

At that moment his memories were freed and a name rang loudly in his mind.

"Heero! I remember! I remember everything! Oh my love, you found me!"

Heero trembled as he clutched his lost one to him.

"Never again! Do you hear me? Never again will I let you be taken from me. You are mine forever and I will never let you go!"

"Oh Heero, my beautiful garden and my animal friends, they are dying."

"You are here now, you will heal us all. We missed you and the heart in this temple died when you were stolen from me. Make us live again my love. Will you dedicate yourself to me? Will you be my bride for all eternity? I love you and for you alone, I will lay down my rage and hate and stop making war."

"Oh Heero, my mind, heart, body, and soul are yours. I will marry you and be your bride. I pledge myself to you for eternity!"

And so the God of War married his bride and the land was filled with peace. Gradually Heero lost his worshippers and his power and his temples fell into ruin. He didn't mind the loss, however, because he had Duo's love and devotion to sustain him... and in the end, that's all that mattered.

TBC...

 

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