Sí Beag, Sí Mór
Part 7
Heero peered around the corner, scanning the darkened hallway for signs of life. He'd beaten Trowa and the
others to the city by just a few minutes. He didn't have much time if he wanted to get to the king before Mueller.
Fortunately, he knew more secret passages of the Seleigh palace than anyone did. He also had an "in" with the
king.
Seeing no one in the hall, Heero quickly crossed to the other side and pulled on one of the sconces set in
the wall. A secret door opened before him to reveal a dark passageway. Heero hurried inside, careful to close the
entrance behind him. He cast a mage light so he could see and almost ran down the narrow passage in his haste.
A few moments later, he came to the end. He pushed the door before him open and stepped inside the dark room,
banishing the mage light as he did.
Through the dim glow of the moonlight streaming in the windows, Heero could make out the outline of the
large canopied bed at the far end of the room. He crossed the room quickly and shoved aside the bed curtains to
shake the sleeping occupant awake.
The girl in the bed sat up, startled. "Wha? Heero?"
"Relena, I have to speak to the king right away."
Cornflower blue eyes blinked at him in astonishment. "Can't it wait until morning?"
"No, princess," Heero explained, tugging at her arm. "By morning we may be at war."
Relena's eyes grew wide as she shimmied off the bed and grabbed a robe from a nearby chair. "What has
happened?"
"I'll explain everything when we wake your brother."
"Zechs won't be in bed yet. He'll still be in his study."
"Good. We can use the hidden passages to get there. I can't be seen."
Relena cast him a questioning look but didn't say anything as they stepped back into the passageway.
Several twists and turns later, they found themselves facing the back end of a large bookcase. Relena pulled a
secret lever and pushed the case aside as if it were a door.
On the other side of the secret entrance stood the king, sword in hand. He shoulders sagged with relief as
both Heero and Relena stepped inside the well-lit room.
"Relena. You startled me."
"I'm sorry Brother, but Heero insisted on seeing you. He said it was urgent."
"Urgent?" The king looked at Heero. "What could be so urgent that couldn't wait until morning?"
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry to disturb you, but this could not wait," Heero explained, stepping forward. "In a
few minutes, Mueller, Alex, and some others will be coming to see you. They're planning on exposing me as a
traitor."
The king sat down. "That is a pretty serious charge, Captain Yuy. Do they have any basis for their claim?"
Heero and Relena glanced at each other. "You should tell him," Relena urged gently.
"Tell me what, Captain?"
"This evening when Princess Relena told you I could not attend dinner because I was ill... that was not
exactly the truth," Heero explained.
"I can see that," the king replied, eyeing Heero's motley colored wings. He clasped his hands together under
his chin thoughtfully. "And why did you feel the need to get my sister to lie to me?"
"I... went to meet someone."
The king waited patiently for Heero to continue.
"The Unseleigh prince we caught a few days ago. I went to meet him."
King Merquise stared at Heero for a long moment before speaking. "Relena, would you excuse us please?"
"But Zechs..."
Heero turned and clasped Relena's upper arms. "Princess, Trowa's bringing Duo here. He's hurt. Could you
check on him? Please?"
"But..."
"Please?" He looked at her imploringly.
Relena sighed, glancing at her brother then back to Heero. "All right. But I want to be kept informed." She
leaned forward to place a small kiss on Heero's cheek. Then, casting one last look at her brother, she hurried back
down the passageway.
When she was gone, the king spoke. "Now Heero. I want you to tell me exactly how we now have an
impending war on our hands."
"I went to meet Prince Duo by the pond near the northern end of the borderlands. I must have been
followed. I heard a noise and left Duo to investigate. Mueller and his cronies found him... hurt him. They're bringing
him here. They're going to say I've been conspiring with the enemy."
"And have you?"
"Your Majesty - you've known me all my life. Relena and I grew up together. My first loyalty has been and
will always be to you and the throne."
The king stared at him for a long moment. Finally, he nodded. "I know. I didn't doubt you. I just wanted to
hear your answer. So if you weren't out there consorting with the enemy, what were you doing?"
Heero coughed and shifted uncomfortably. "Consorting with the enemy," he mumbled quietly.
King Merquise raised an eyebrow.
"From the moment we first met," Heero continued, "I've been... strangely drawn to him, and he to me. I
couldn't stop thinking about him."
"Go on."
"I thought at first he'd put some kind of love spell on me. I know love spells don't work, but I was... scared.
I'd never felt anything like what I was feeling for him. I accused him of it, and he was so distressed by that..."
"That he let you place a truth spell on him," the king finished when the younger man hesitated.
Heero nodded. "He was innocent of my accusations. He'd been feeling the same things I was feeling. Neither
one of us knew what was going on. So before I let him go, we agreed to meet again. Tonight."
"To figure out what was going on?"
Heero felt a blush spread across his face. "That was the intention but..." He trailed off, looking at the ground
sheepishly.
"I see," King Merquise said, smirking a little.
Heero opened his mouth to reply when a wave of pain and fear washed over him. He stumbled forward,
catching himself on the edge of the ornate desk. King Merquise jumped up and rushed over to him.
"Heero? Are you all right? What's wrong?"
"It's Duo," Heero answered, gasping for breath. "He's awake. He's in pain and he's frightened."
King Merquise stared at him in shock. "You can feel him?"
Heero fought for control of his emotions. Only through the years of disciplined training as a member of the
Royal Guard was he able to block out most of it, pushing the pain to a corner of his mind where it was more
bearable.
"I hadn't noticed it before tonight, but... it's like I can feel his presence in the back of my mind. Only now...
it's stronger. I can feel what he's feeling."
"Great Mother," the king murmured as recognition filled his eyes. "It can't be..."
Heero looked at him curiously. "Can't be what?"
A loud knocking at the door of the study interrupted whatever the king was about to say. Instead, he
grabbed Heero by the upper arms and stared him in the eye. "Answer me quickly, Heero, and tell me true. Do you
love the Unseleigh prince?"
The knocking came again, this time more urgent.
"More than anything in this world, Your Majesty," Heero replied, a little surprised at his own answer.
King Merquise gave him a small smile. "Go hide in the secret passage. I'll see to Mueller. And then, somehow,
we'll sort this mess out."
Heero nodded and hurried over to the bookcase as the king moved toward the door. He slipped behind it,
then opened the little peephole on the other side. Now he would be able to see and hear what was going on in
the room in safety.
As Heero had anticipated, the person on the other side of the door was Mueller. He and two of his fellow
Guard members entered the room as if they owned it. Heero saw the king frown at their behavior. Following the
three men were two of the king's advisors, Jay and Quinze.
From his hiding place behind the bookshelf, Heero couldn't hear much of what was being said. Their voices
were muffled and Heero could only hear snatches of the conversation. Mueller and his friends were agitated.
Heero heard his name mentioned contemptuously several times. The king's advisors looked distressed. Quinze was
pacing nervously back and forth across the carpet. Heero could hear his words quite clearly whenever the man
approached the bookcase.
"...all over the city," he was saying, wringing his hands. "News of the capture of an Unseleigh prince..."
Heero cursed as the man moved away again. He strained his ears to hear what they were saying about Duo.
"...do nothing the people may riot," he heard Jay explain in his raspy voice.
"...prince on Seleigh lands..."
"...act of war..."
"...getting information on us from that traitor, Yuy..."
That last was from Mueller, his eyes gleaming triumphantly.
At that moment the door opened. Trowa entered the room, followed by a very agitated Relena. Heero saw
the princess glance around the room looking for him. The king's eyes flickered briefly to where Heero was hiding
behind the bookcase. Relena noticed the motion and gave a slight nod, indicating that she understood. She moved
closer to the bookcase before she started speaking. Heero smiled to himself and silently thanked his friend.
"I've just been to see the prisoner," Relena explained, her posture rigid with anger. She turned her accusing
gaze to Mueller. "Would you care to explain to me how he managed to get three broken ribs, a dislocated
shoulder, and a broken wing?"
Heero felt faint. He knew Duo was in pain... he could feel it. But he hadn't been aware of how extensive the
young prince's injuries were. He fought down the urge to leap from his hiding place and strangle the life out of
Mueller with his bare hands.
"The little mongrel fought back," he barely heard Mueller say. "We had to defend ourselves."
"Six well-trained King's Guard against one small boy. None of you have a scratch on you and yet the
Unseleigh prince is black and blue."
"He used powerful magic on us, milady," one of Mueller's friends closest to the bookcase said.
"Bullshit!" Heero heard Trowa exclaim loudly. "I find that hard to believe since I placed him under a geas last
time. He is unable to use offensive magics against us."
"...must have had it removed," the other friend said.
"I find that highly unlikely," Trowa continued, moving closer to Relena. "What I would like to know is what
you would have done had I not come along. Before I walked in, I saw you molesting that boy. How far would you
have hone had I not stopped you?"
Mueller sputtered in rage. "How dare you accuse me..."
"How dare you do something as disgusting as that?" Relena interrupted, jumping forward and pointing an
accusing finger at him. "That boy may be of the Unseleigh court but he is still a prince. Even as a political prisoner
his status his higher than yours. You have not only disgraced yourselves, but you have disgraced our clan and our
king!"
"The princess is right," King Merquise said as he stood. "You and all the men who were with you tonight are
dismissed from my service. Get your things and get out. And if I were you, I'd move to some remote location on
the outskirts of our land because if I see you near the city again, I will have you all executed for treason."
Mueller stared at the king incredulously. "You can't do this!"
King Merquise pointed to the silver circlet adorning his head. "See this? This crown tells me that I can
indeed do this. I am your king. You would be wise to remember that. Now go. I never want to see your faces
again."
Mueller's face contorted with rage as he and his comrades were ushered out of the room. King Merquise
turned his back on the former Guard members to address Trowa. "Will you please see to their removal, then check
on the prisoner?"
Trowa nodded once. "Yes, Your Majesty." He turned and left the room, closing the study door behind him.
Jay stepped forward. "What will you do with the Unseleigh prince?"
"Barton will see to his safety," the king replied.
"We need to let a healer in to see him," Relena added. "He's in pretty bad shape."
The king started to nod but was interrupted by Jay.
"With all due respect, Princess Relena," the wizened old man said, "we shouldn't be wasting healing magics
on an enemy - not when we've an impending war hanging over our heads and certainly not on a prisoner who will
be executed soon."
Heero felt the bottom drop out of his stomach. He heard Relena gasp and the king cry out in outrage.
"I gave no such order! That boy is not to be harmed!" the blonde ruler declared, slamming his hand down on
his desk.
"My apologies, Your Majesty," Jay continued. "Mueller made sure to tell everyone he saw as he entered the
city with the prisoner that your right-hand man was conducting secret meetings with a member of the Unseleigh
Royal Court. The people are beginning to gather in the courtyards below. They're angry and they're frightened.
They're calling for the deaths of the traitor and the prisoner."
"Heero is no more of a traitor than I!" Relena shouted, jumping forward. "How dare you accuse him of such!"
"Princess," Quinze said, "the events surrounding the boy's first escape are suspicious enough. Combined with
this latest accusation, Yuy has been branded a traitor to the throne."
Jay turned to face the king. "Your Majesty, I was your father's top advisor. Now I am yours. So let me
advise you. The people outside are beginning to get restless. An Unseleigh spy has been caught on our lands,
consorting with a high-ranking member of your Guard." Heero froze as the man appeared to glance in the direction
of the bookcase. "You can't take a pacifistic attitude with this matter. The people are calling for war. The army is
already assembling. If you let the prisoner go, the people will riot. If you let Yuy go unpunished, they will depose
you. Our clan would be thrown into chaos. And since I assume the Unseleigh Court will not take the capture and
abuse of their crown prince lightly, they will be preparing to attack us as well. If you are not on the throne to lead
us, we will lose."
King Merquise was silent for a long time. Finally, he lowered his eyes in defeat. "Very well. Please inform the
rest of the Guard that they are to capture and detain Heero Yuy on sight."
"Zechs! You can't..." Relena protested.
"I have to Relena," the king replied sadly. "The clan comes first."
"A wise decision, Your Majesty," Jay said. "And the prisoner?"
"The Unseleigh prince will be executed tomorrow."
Heero clutched at the back of the bookcase so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He couldn't believe
what he'd just heard. His king had ordered Duo's death. 'Please Blessed Mother, let me be dreaming,' he begged
silently as he struggled not to rush into the room and demand that the king take back his words.
"We'll see to the preparations," Quinze said as he and Jay walked to the door. Quinze opened it and stepped
outside. Jay started to follow but turned back to look at them from the doorway.
"It'd be a shame if the prisoner were to escape before the execution. Perhaps you should double the Guard
on the cell? Just in case the traitor decides to try and rescue him." Once again the older man glanced toward the
bookshelf. This time, Heero could have sworn he saw the man wink.
"Yes, that would be unfortunate," the king mused quietly. "An excellent suggestion, Jay. I'll see to it myself."
"Very good, Your Majesty." With those final parting words, the old man left, closing the door behind him.
As soon as Jay was gone, Heero stepped out from behind the bookcase, trembling. "Y... your Majesty," he
began, his voice shaking at the thought that his king... his friend had just ordered the death of his lover.
King Merquise looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "I'm so sorry, Heero. But it had to be done. Too many
people know about the Unseleigh prisoner this time. I can't let him go or the people will revolt."
"But you can't just have him killed!" Relena argued, clutching Heero's hand in her own. "He's a prince! If you
have him executed, we will have a war on our hands!"
"War is inevitable now, sister dear," the king replied. "Didn't you hear what Jay said? Simply finding a member
of the Unseleigh Court on our lands is enough of a motive for our people. Tensions between our two clans have
been building steadily for two summers. This is the breaking point. There will be war."
"So you're just going to have Duo executed in order to save your crown?" Heero asked bitterly, avoiding the
king's gaze.
The Seleigh king's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I can understand what you must be going through right
now, so I'll ignore your foolishness." He walked over to Heero to lay his hands on the younger man's shoulders.
"Heero, I only gave the order for the execution. Your prince is not dead yet."
"Nani?"
The king gave him a small smile. "You must be taking this really hard if you haven't figured it out yet. Jay
said it might be a good idea to post extra guards around the prisoner in case the traitor - that's you remember? -
tried to rescue him."
Heero's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean..."
"In half a candlemark, I'm sending ten warriors to watch over the prince. If the two of you are not gone by
then, there will be nothing I can do to help you."
"Why are you doing this?" Heero asked, staring at his king in amazement. "We're going to war anyway. Why
would you take this risk to let me spare his life?"
"I don't like unnecessary killing, Heero," the king replied. "That boy is innocent, as are you. Besides, if what I
suspect is true, you wouldn't live much longer past his death anyway."
"What do you mean? Do you know what's happening with us?"
"I don't know for certain, and we don't have time to go into it. All I can tell you is to trust your feelings. And
wish you luck."
"Heero," Relena added, her lovely blue eyes filled with concern and sadness. "You know what will happen if
you do this. You can never come back. You will be declared an Exile."
Heero nodded. He knew. Being declared an Exile was the worst punishment a sidhe could face short of
death. Even Mueller and his cronies hadn't been declared Exiles. They'd only been banished to the outskirts of
Seleigh lands. Being declared Exile meant one had to completely leave the safety of his homeland. An Exile could
never return, and no one would ever be allowed to speak the Exile's name again. All records of an Exile would be
destroyed. He or she would disappear from the memory of the clan forever. No one had been declared an Exile for
hundreds of years. But Heero didn't care about his impending fate. All he cared about was getting Duo safely out
of Seleigh territory before it was too late.
"I have already been branded a traitor," he said, squeezing Relena's hand. "I am not afraid of being declared
an Exile if I can save Duo's life. I love him."
Relena smiled up at him, unshed tears shining in her eyes. "I don't care what the rules are - I will always say
your name in my prayers."
"Be careful, cousin," the king added. He glanced at the time-keeping candle on the mantle. "You don't have
much time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Relena reached up to bring Heero's head down to her own. She kissed him deeply for a moment before
breaking away. "May the Great Mother watch over you two. I'll miss you terribly."
"I'll miss you too, 'Lena," Heero said, smiling down at her. Then, with one last look at two of his closest
friends, he turned and slipped behind the bookcase once more.
He ran down the passages with ease, trying hard not to think of the fact that this would be the last time
he'd travel down these corridors. His heart clenched at the thought of leaving his home and friends forever. But if
he didn't, Duo would die. The choice was simple really. Duo was more important. He would see his love safe no
matter what he had to sacrifice.
He rushed down a flight of stairs and came to what appeared to be a blank wall. He pressed on one of the
bricks and cautiously swung a portion of the wall outward. He peered around the bricks, looking for signs of life.
Finding none, he stepped into the well-lit corridor, closing the passage behind him. Quietly he walked down the
hall leading to the dungeon cells. Reaching the corner, he glanced around to see only one Guard on duty.
'Good. The king has kept his word. The extra Guard members have not arrived yet. But I don't have much
time...'
Stepping back, he spread his wings and flew down the hall at break-neck speed. The Guard had time to give
one startled yell before Heero was on him. They grappled for a moment before Heero hit him hard on the back of
the neck. He caught the sidhe as he slumped forward, unconscious. He lay the Guard down gently on the floor. He
knew the man from their training days and bore him no ill will.
'Forgive me, friend. But I need to get past you.'
He grabbed the iron keys off the man's belt and hurriedly opened the door. Beyond the locked wooden door
was a large, circular room. More locked doors were spaced evenly around the room. In the center of the room was
a Guard's station consisting of a table and several chairs. Heero walked in with his sword drawn, ready to face
whoever was inside. But there was no one there.
Flickering light and murmuring voices drew his attention to one of the cells off to his left. The door to the
cell was slightly ajar. Heero crept up to it and peered inside. He let out a sigh of relief as he caught sight of the
figures within. He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Trowa, Wufei..." His voice trailed off as he saw the small figure huddled on the threadbare cot in the corner.
With stumbling steps, he moved forward. Wufei, who had been sitting on the cot next to the bruised and battered
form of the Unseleigh prince, moved aside for Heero. The Seleigh warrior sat down gingerly by his lover's side,
taking one small hand in his own.
Duo's eyes were closed. Heero had felt the young prince slip back into unconsciousness a moment before he
had entered the cell. His skin, the parts that weren't darkening with ugly purple bruises, was a sickening shade of
ash gray. A fine sheen of sweat covered the boy's skin, soaking through the thin tunic Duo wore. One wing was
bent at a sickening angle. Trowa had had to tear the wing slits in the back of the garment to get the wing
through without harming it further. Duo's hand was clammy, and his skin felt hot to the touch. Heero looked at
Trowa imploringly.
"Wufei managed to wrap his ribs and set his dislocated arm while I was away, but we don't have anything
here to set the wing with," the green-eyed sidhe said, placing a wet cloth on Duo's forehead. "He needs to see a
healer. He's going into shock."
"King Merquise won't send a healer," Heero replied flatly, brushing chestnut bangs away from Duo's face.
"Duo's to be executed in the morning."
"Great Mother!" Wufei swore, leaning against Trowa for support. "That will send us headlong into another
war for certain."
"We're headed for war either way," Heero answered. "If the king hadn't given the order, the people would
riot and we'd be without a leader when the Unseleigh do attack."
"Has it come to this then? Is war our only option?" Trowa asked sadly.
"It is. The king had no choice but to order his death," Heero replied, stroking Duo's face.
"Damn it, Yuy! How can you sit there and talk so calmly about your lover's death?" Wufei demanded.
Heero looked at Trowa.
"I told him," his tall friend said.
Heero shrugged. "You'd have heard the rumors soon enough anyway. And Duo's not going to die."
"What? I thought the king..."
"King Merquise did order his execution, but you can't execute someone who isn't here."
Trowa stared at him. "You're going to help him escape."
"Heero you can't be serious," Wufei added incredulously. "If you do that, you'll..."
"I've already been branded a traitor, Wufei. It's of no concern to me if I am declared Exile as well."
"You really do love him," Trowa said, somewhat in awe.
"With all my heart and soul." Heero stood up and wrapped Duo in the threadbare blanket on the cot. "I don't
have much time. We have to leave before the other Guard members get here."
"I can't just let you walk out, Heero," Trowa said, stepping in front of the Seleigh warrior.
Heero's eyes narrowed. "I won't let you stop me, Barton."
"And I don't intend to, Yuy. But I can't just let you walk out of here without a fight. You need to knock me
out."
"Trowa..." the taller sidhe's dark-eyed lover began but closed his mouth when Trowa held up a hand.
"I trust you Heero."
"Thank you, old friend." Heero smiled then reached out and delivered a sharp blow to the base of Trowa's
neck. The green-eyed warrior slumped forward. Heero caught his friend and gently handed his limp form into
Wufei's waiting arms.
"You came in after I had left and found him on the floor," Heero explained as he picked up the bundled form
of his own unconscious lover, cradling him in his arms.
"Where will you go?" Wufei asked, holding his lover's body close.
"He needs a healer."
Wufei sucked in a breath. "You're taking him home."
Heero nodded.
"But Heero, you'll be taken prisoner. And with their prince in that shape, they'll probably kill you."
"I know."
The two warriors regarded each other in silence for a long moment before the noise of approaching feet
echoed through the corridor outside. Wufei gave Heero a weak smile.
"May we see each other again, Heero."
"I hope we will one day. It was an honor to serve with you, Wufei."
"As with you." The footsteps grew louder. "Go now, Yuy. And don't get caught. I'd hate for you to have had
to knock poor Trowa out for no reason."
Heero smiled. "Good-bye, Wufei."
He left his friends on the dungeon floor and hurried down the corridor in the opposite direction of the
approaching footsteps. He moved in the shadows, clutching Duo tightly in his arms. He knew he couldn't carry Duo
all the way to the Unseleigh Court in his arms. He needed to get to the Royal stables. Unfortunately there were no
secret passages to the stables. He'd have to reach them the hard way.
The Great Mother must have been smiling down upon them. He didn't see a soul as he hurried down the path
to the stables.
'All the Guard must be out front trying to placate the crowd in the courtyards.'
He could hear voices being carried on the wind as he walked down the darkened path. From the sound of
things, there was quite a gathering going on just outside the palace walls. Heero was amazed at how quickly word
of Duo's capture and his apparent betrayal had spread. And all this would lead them to war...
Heero sighed as he pushed the stable door open with his shoulder. He'd had hoped that he could have
gotten to know Duo's people by associating with the young prince. If all the Unseleigh Court were like this boy,
Heero couldn't understand why their two clans were enemies. He'd wanted to learn about his lover's people, find
some common ground on which to build some kind of peace. But that fragile hope had been irrevocably destroyed.
All he could do is somehow make amends by returning the prince to his people.
He gently set Duo on the ground just inside the door. Running into the tack room, he grabbed a saddle, bit,
and bridle from their place on the shelves. He hurried back out and ran further into the building. Opening the first
stall he came to, Heero saw two bright eyes staring back at him from the darkness.
"Easy girl," he said to the startled creature within. Reaching into a nearby trough, he pulled out a large sliver
of acorn. Come on, girl. I have a treat for you."
A nose twitched in the darkness, stretching towards the proffered treat. Slowly, the furry creature stepped
forward out of the shadows. Its big, bushy tail twitched excitedly as it took the acorn in its front paws and began
to nibble.
Heero grabbed the tack and quickly secured the saddle on the squirrel's back while the animal finished its
treat. The bridle was next, and a moment later, they were ready to go.
Heero led the squirrel out of the stall and over to where Duo lay. Gently he picked the boy up, trying not to
jar his injured ribs or wing. He fluttered his own wings slightly, mounting their steed from the air so as not to jostle
Duo any more than was necessary. Settling down in the saddle, Heero grabbed the reins and spurred the squirrel
out of the stables.
Immediately they took to the trees, using the thick summer foliage for cover. Heero clutched Duo as tightly
as he dared, not wanting to lose his grip on the boy as they jumped from limb to limb. The Seleigh city was quickly
left behind. And while Heero felt a pang of sadness at leaving his home, he did not once look back.
The tightly bundled figure in his arms stirred. "H...Heero?"
The Seleigh warrior brushed a kiss across Duo's forehead. "Shhh, Duo love. I'm here. I'm never going to let
you go again."
Pain-filled violet eyes looked up at him. "I can feel you... inside my head."
"I know. I can feel you too."
"Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you home."
"Home?" Duo smiled weakly.
"We'll be there shortly."
"Good. 'm tired."
"Go back to sleep, love," Heero admonished gently. "I'll wake you when we get there."
Duo nodded sleepily and closed his eyes. Heero knew the exact moment the boy drifted off to sleep. Duo's
presence in the back of his mind, while always constantly there, wasn't as noticeable when he was asleep or
unconscious. Which was a good thing at the moment. Duo was in so much pain. Again Heero felt a surge of anger
towards Mueller. One day, he vowed, Mueller would pay dearly for hurting his love.
He reined the squirrel in as they approached the borderlands. The borders would be patrolled by a number of
military units. They'd have to be careful if they were to cross into the borderlands without being seen. By now
someone should have discovered Duo missing and would have magically alerted the border soldiers. They'd be
watching for them.
Heero steered the squirrel down the tree, deciding on a ground approach through the tall grasses. They
crept forward slowly, trying not to make any noise. In the distance he could make out the Great Oak which
marked the boundary of the borderlands.
He brushed his fingers across Duo's feverish skin. "Hold on, love. We're almost there."
"Halt! Identify yourself!" a voice called out from the darkness.
Heero didn't bother looking for the source of the voice. They were so close... Heero dug his heels into the
squirrel's flank. He could hear voices behind him as they scampered across the grass toward the Great Oak. A
levin blot exploded just above their heads. Glancing over his shoulder, Heero saw five warriors chasing after them
with swords drawn. And they were gaining.
Heero urged the squirrel to go faster. They were so close. Once they reached the borderlands, the Seleigh
warriors could not follow. They were forbidden to enter.
Heero heard another magical bolt zipping through the air towards them. He wrenched the reins to the right.
The bolt grazed his shoulder. Heero grunted in pain; Duo whimpering as he felt it through their bond. Heero gritted
his teeth and held on. He couldn't let go of Duo long enough to fire back. If they could just hold on a little longer...
Bolt after bolt was fired at them. He didn't know how they managed to avoid every one of them, especially
since he could feel himself getting weaker as he continued to lose blood from his wound. Then suddenly, the
attacks stopped. Through hazy eyes, Heero saw that they had passed the tree and were heading deeper into the
borderlands.
The Seleigh warrior slumped forward in relief. They'd made it. Duo would be safe.
He didn't know how long they traveled. He drifted in and out as they rode. Finally, as the first rays of dawn
began to light up the world, a movement off to his left caught his attention. Before he knew what was happening,
half a dozen Unseleigh warriors had surrounded them. One of them said something to him, but Heero was too
weary to make out what it was. As the sidhe came closer, he handed the man his precious burden.
The Unseleigh warrior looked down and cried out in surprise. "It's the prince!"
Other voices joined in. Heero barely heard them. His Duo was safe. "Take care of him," he implored as
darkness began to creep up on him. And then, he knew nothing more.
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