Jaid: Hello all! I’ve finally got chapter three out. Sorry it took so long, but my parents have restricted my recreational writing to the weekends. This is also kinda short, but I didn’t get much sleep over the weekend…staying up till four in the morning is not the best way to spend a weekend. Especially if you have to work…

*********************************************************************

Chapter Three

            “Are you sure this is the place?” Mariemeia asked. She landed gracefully on the ground, her wings disappearing. Trieze smiled fondly at the girl he had raised as his daughter.

            “This is it.” he said, dismounting Tallgeese. “I hope she’s here.” Mariemeia looked around the dark forest and shivered. Tallgeese gave her a reassuring nudge and she smiled at him.

            Trieze walked up to a small cottage, barely discernible from the foliage around it. He knocked several times, but received no answer. Cautiously, he opened the door and entered.

            “Why have you come to darken my doors, Khusrenada?” a voice asked him teasingly.

            “I need your help.” Trieze answered. “A great Evil has arisen and I know not it’s origin.”

            “Funny.” The voice seemed to come closer. “That you would come to ask my advice.” A slim woman appeared from the shadows. She was what some might call beautiful, but there was a tragic look in her deep brown eyes and her turn of mouth that made her seem ages old. The woman glided over to Treize, took in his appeared, then gestured to a chair, and sat herself. Trieze joined her. There was an uncomfortable silence.

            “Une,” Treize finally said. “I think you know why I am here.”

            “Yes.” She nodded. “But I know as little as you do.”

            Trieze stood and went over to the small window, the room’s only source of light. “How can that be?” he asked. “How could have they arisen so fast and without us knowing?”

            Une stared at her hands, which rested in the lap of the silvery white dress she wore. “I know not.” she whispered, sounding almost close to tears. Frowning, Treize turned. Seeing her head bowed, he came over and knelt.

            “My Lady, what troubles you?.”

            Une shook her head, then looked up. “Your daughter is outside?” she asked.

            “Yes.” Trieze answered. Une stood and Treize followed.

            “We should bring her in.” Une commented. “It is going to rain.”

*  *  *

            “Come on!” the small, slender girl tugged on the mule’s halter rope. “You stubborn old thing!” The mule shook his head and the girl fell to the muddy ground, sputtering. The mule tossed it’s head, turned and began to trot away. Midii debated whether to go after it or not. Finally she stood and tiredly jogged after it.

            “Come back here, Blossom!” she called. “You can’t wander off like that!”

            Blossom totally ignored the cries of her young mistress.

            “Blasted mule.” Midii muttered, slowing to a walk. She couldn’t go any farther. She’d been on her feet doing hard labor since dawn as it was. It was nearing dusk, and she was still a long ways from home. Exhausted, she sank to the ground, sitting there for a while.

            “Excuse me?” a quiet voice spoke. Midii jumped and looked up. Standing above her was a young man, slightly dark skin, with brown hair that covered one of his eyes. The other shone a vibrant emerald green.

            “Is this your mule?” the young man asked. Midii nodded dumbly. The young man held out a black-gloved hand and helped her to her feet. He handed the reins to her.

            “Thank you.” she murmured. “I appreciate it…?”

            “Nanashi.” the young man answered.

            “No-name?” Midii asked, drawing her brows together. The young man graced her with the smallest of smiles.

            “I see you have a knowledge of Common Elvish.” he said. “Yes, No-name. But I think Nanashi sounds better.”

            “Yes.” Midii agreed. Suddenly, realizing the how dark the sky was she gasped. “Oh, I must get home! Come on Blossom!” She began to lead the mule away. Stopping she looked back at the young man. “Thank you, Nanashi.” she said shyly. He gave her another slight smile.

            “Your welcome.”

            It wasn’t until a few miles had been walked that Midii realized she had never given him her name.

*  *  *

            “Will we stop soon?” Relena asked. “I think Katarina is tired.”

            Heero turned and then nodded. They landed a little later in a small clearing and set up camp. As they sat in front of the fire, Relena looked up at the stars, and gave a small wistful smile.

            “Do you have a home, Heero?” she asked suddenly. Heero looked up.

            “No.”

            “A family?”

            “No.”

            “How sad.” Relena lowered her gaze to him, the smile gone. “What happened to them?”

            Heero shrugged. “I don’t know.”

            “Then how-?”

            “Then how did I become a wizard?” Heero finished. “I was trained. Nothing more, nothing less.”

            “Yes, but you must have been chosen. Not anybody can be a wizard, Heero.” Relena pointed out. “I wonder who your parents were.”

            Heero shrugged again, this time dismissively.

            “Don’t you ever think about it?” Relena asked.

            “I don’t see how it matters.” he said, then looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “Why does an Elf, much less an Elven princess, take such interest in a mortal?”

            Relena blushed and looked at the fire. “I don’t know.” she answered. “I just do.”

            Neither of them spoke.

*  *  *

Finally. Peace and Quiet! Quatre leaned against the tree, savoring the quiet and even the darkness. Having lived in solitude for so long, he was unused to the constant bantering between Dorco and Duo. Sometimes it was too much for his frayed nerves and he just had to get away. Like right now. He closed his eyes, and sighed contently. There were few minutes of quiet, when his ears caught a noise. Standing, he peered into the night. He could see a fire, and debated whether to approached or not. Curiosity got a hold of him and he walked towards the light.

*  *  *

            Relena smiled as she stroked Katarina’s golden head. The winged lioness purred in satisfaction. Suddenly, Katarina sat up, growling softly. Relena straightened, then stood, her blue eyes wide.

            “Amin path?”* she demanded.

“Caminath, Relena?**” A familiar voice said. She stood, as Quatre stepped closer. For a long moment, the two of them simply stared at one another, taking in each other’s presence; something they had not done in thirty years. Then suddenly, Relena reached out and hugged the other elf tightly. They stood there, tears threatening to fall.

            “I didn’t think I’d see you again.” Relena whispered. “It’s been so long.”

            “I know.” Quatre answered. They broke the embrace and Quatre wiped the tears off of Relena’s cheek.

            “What are you doing so far in the woods, My Lady?” Quatre asked.

            “Traveling. It’s rather complicated.” Relena bit her lip, then remember something. “Where is my head?! Come, sit down.”

            Taking his hand, she led him nearer to the fire, where they sat. Then Relena explained everything. Quatre was silent for a moment, then spoke.

            “I don’t suppose,” he said. “That you would know what this is?” He took the crystal from his leather pouch. Relena’s eyes widened and she took the crystal, holding it in her slender hands.

            “It’s beautiful.” she breathed, then met his eyes. “Where did you find it? What is it?”

            “Syrch had it.” Quatre told her. “We were attacked and then found this among the dead. As for what it is, your guess is as good as mine.”

            Relena nodded, then gave it back. Quatre put it away.

            “We?” She asked. Quatre looked confused.

            “You said ‘we’.” Relena told him. Quatre looked down.

            “Uh, I have some companions.” He murmured. Relena smiled.

            “That’s good. I would hate for you to be lonely.” Relena laid a hand on his arm, and he covered it with his own. They sat in silence for a moment.

            “What’s going on?”

            They both jumped and Quatre turned. Behind him stood a young mortal man, with piercing blue/gray eyes and messy brown hair. Quatre could feel a sense of power in him. He and Relena stood.

            “Heero, this is Quatre.” she told him. “Quatre, this is Heero Yuy, one of the Council.”

            Heero and Quatre nodded to each other politely, then Quatre turned to Relena.

            “I have to go.” he said. Relena frowned.

            “So soon?” she asked. “But you have just arrived!”

            “I know, but my companions will be worried about me.” Quatre took Relena’s hands in his own. “Don’t worry, I will try to see you again.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek, nodded to Heero in farewell, then left silently. Heero watched him go then turned to Relena.

            “That was him, wasn’t it?” he said. Relena shook her self.

            “What?”

            Heero repeated his question. Relena nodded.

            “Yes it was.” She answered, then sighed. “He’s changed.”

            “How?”

            Relena blushed. Did I say that out loud? “I don’t know, he’s just…different. Not as innocent as he used to be, I guess.”

            Heero looked at her for a long time. “We’d better get to sleep.” he said. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”

*  *  *

            WuFei sat tiredly on his own. He was so exhausted, he couldn’t even sleep. He wasn’t sure he even wanted too. Sally came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.

            “Hey.” she said softly. “Are you all right?”

            WuFei gave her that-was-a-dumb-question-woman look. Sally couldn’t help but smile at the glare, but then the smile faded.

            “I’m really sorry about what happened.” she whispered.

            “It’s not your fault.” WuFei sighed.

            “Having a meeting without me?” Mieran came up and sat down.

            “You need to be lying down.” WuFei told her. “You’re not well.”

            “You can’t tell me what to do.” Mieran answered. Sally smiled again. She felt that Mieran might have stuck her tongue out at the wizard, had she been younger.

            “Besides,” Mieran went on. “Only a few broken ribs. I’ll be fine.”

            WuFei snorted. “Hardly a few. You’ve broken almost every single one.”

            Mieran grinned. “Why, WuFei, you actually sound worried! Are you getting soft in your old age?”

            WuFei glared, then stood and walked away, leaning on his staff. The two women watched him go. Mieran sighed.

            “He’s so uptight sometimes.” She looked after him worriedly. “You know what I mean?”

            “I think he hurts a lot.” Sally answered quietly. Mieran nodded, then smiled.

            “He needs a wife.” she grinned, looking directly at Sally. For no reason at all, the healer wizard felt herself blush. Mieran’s eyes twinkled, then she stood and limped away.

There’s hope for you yet, WuFei. she thought.

*  *  *

            Nanashi rode his horse through the forest. He wondered idily about that girl he had met. She had seemed so tired, sitting in the middle of the muddy highway. Shaking her from his thoughts (although it was hard to do so, admittedly), he dismounted. It was time to stop for a rest.

*  *  *

            The next morning, Midii was riding Blossom back to town. She worked hard, to support an ailing father and three young brothers: Aiden, Eli, and Robert. The three boys did the best they could to keep their depilated farm running, but there was only so much an eleven year old, a nine year old and a seven year old could do.

            Midii found herself gazing along the highway, and looking at every sudden movement, hoping to see the young man who dressed in black and had such vibrant eyes. One half of her told her that she was being silly, while the other couldn’t help but hope. She sighed.

            “Excuse me, miss.”

            Midii’s head jerked up, and she gasped. Three beings stood before her and they were definitely not human. One was a dwarf, and she thought the other two might be elves; although they were seldom seen.

            “Are you all right miss?” The blonde elf asked kindly. Midii shut her gaping mouth with a snap and nodded her head.

            “We were wondering if you could tell us where we were.” the elf continued.

            “Levenah.” Midii answered. “The village is Morana, you are but a three day journey from Taynare.”

            “Thank you.” The elf slightly bowed. The dwarf snorted and began to walk past her, the blonde following. The dark-haired elf shot her a merry grin and followed his companions.  Midii turned and watched them go.

***********************************************************************

Jaid: *looking back at the Une/Treize scene* That’s not right! She was supposed to be the queen of Levenah! *glares at Naga and Jad*

Jad: We like it better this way!

Naga: Yeah! She would totally make a cool sorceress person, thingy.

Jaid: *blinks* Cool? Totally? Thingy? Naga are you all right?

Naga: Never better! BWAHAHAHA- *cough, cough*

Jad: He got into your pixy sticks.

Jaid: *face fault*

* Who is there?

** Is that you, Relena?