Jaid: Hi guys, long time no see, huh? Sorry about this. My parents are going to let me work during the week days if I get all my homework done early…so updates might be more frequent. I apologize for how long you’ve had to wait for this, but I am also having difficulty deciding what to do. Well, we’ll see how it goes. ^__^

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Chapter Four

            “I certainly hope you know what you are doing.” Dorco huffed.

            “I do.” Quatre answered calmly. The same calm, Duo noticed, that he had been using ever since he had come back that night.

            “How long to you think it’ll take us?” he asked. Quatre shrugged, his eyes ahead and his mind obviously somewhere else. Duo sighed mentally.

*  *  *

            “Woman,” a voice said. “What do you think you’re doing?”

            “My name’s Mieran.” the girl answered. “And what does it look like I’m doing? I’m going with you.”

            “No.” WuFei placed a hand on her shoulder. “You need to rest Meiran and you need to be here.”

            “Why?” Meiran demanded. “I’m only in the way here. I’m not considered an elder; I don’t even have status as a married woman. I’m just a girl; a woman warrior.” She looked WuFei straight in the eye. “I’m coming.”

            WuFei blew out a frustrated breath. Why does she have to be so damn stubborn? he thought. Mieran had shaken off his hand and was checking her saddle bags. There was a note of tension between the two as Sally walked up.

            “Everything all right? Oh, hello Mieran.”

            The other girl looked up and smiled. She liked Sally; liked the way the older woman treated her, how her voice sounded, how she smiled.

            “I’m coming with you.” she patted her dragon’s neck. “And so is Kamri.”

            Kamri shook her head in agreement. She was a very small dragon, with pale, iridescent scales and wings that shone in the sun. A small wreath of smoke curled from her nostrils. Nataku and Sophfran jogged up, and sat obediently, awaiting orders.

            “We should leave soon.” Sally commented. WuFei nodded, glared at Meiran one last time (she smirked back) and turned to Nataku. Sally watched the little scene with almost no surprise; she had observed how the cousins treated one another, and was used to it. She had a feeling that it was to be a long journey.

*  *  *

            Mariemeia sat, drumming her fingers on the table. Outside, the rain poured, hitting the roof and  windows with a sound that comforted her in an odd way. She put some of her red hair behind her ear. It was long now, but Mariemeia remembered a time when it had been cut short. She didn’t remember why; just a pretty woman with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes telling her that she had to look like a boy.

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. The childish rhyme hummed relentlessly through her head. She eyed the grown-ups. Une sat in a chair, sewing something. A strange sort of glow seemed to surround her, even though it was dim. Trieze sat, his eyes staring at the wall; although he was obviously in another world. Mariemeia sighed and straightened.

            “What’s going on?” she asked. Une and Trieze looked up, both seeming slightly startled. Mariemeia repeated her question.

            “We’re not sure yet, Marie.” Trieze answered, with enough reproof in his tone that told her she needed to remain quiet for a time. Mariemeia sighed again, and placed her chin in her hands. She was bored.

*  *  *

            “Halt! Who goes there?” an Elvish voice rang out.

            “My name is Quatre, of the Golden Wood.” came the answer. “It is dark and my friends and I request shelter.”

            The guard approached, holding a lantern. He looked at Quatre, then at his companions.

            “You may come in, Wood Elf.” he said. “But not the others.”

            “Why?”

            “We don’t trust them, that’s why.”

            Quatre’s jaw tightened. Duo gave him a slight nudge.

            “Go on,” he urged. “We’ll be fine. A little rain never hurt anybody and besides, someone needs to talk to them.”

            Quatre nodded. He had met with Relena the morning after and had promised to alert the Mountain Elves. He followed the guard into the mountain city.

*  *  *

            Relena shivered slightly, in spite of her cloak. She wasn’t used to riding through such harsh weather, but it seemed to be part of the job. She glanced at Heero. He seemed perfectly fine; never mind the freezing rain prevented a fire. Relena sighed. She was exhausted and her eyelids kept dropping. Katarina suddenly stood, hair brisling and growling. Wing tossed his head nervously, and Heero stood, his cold eyes staring forward. Relena’s sharp ears suddenly heard harsh noises and she winced, then paled. Syrch.

*  *  *

            “Hail prince!” a cheerful voice called. Quatre turned and smiled brightly as a childhood friend, Hilde ran down the steps and embraced him, despite the wet clothing.

            “Your soaked!” she exclaimed.

            “So I am.” he answered, still smiling.

            “You’re here to see my father.” Hilde guessed, then looked at the guard, dismissing him with a nod of her head. She took Quatre’s arm.

            “And I suppose you want to see him now. Because it’s urgent?” she continued. “Oh well, I suppose it was too much to hope for.”

            “What was?” Quatre looked confused.

            “That you would come for the express purpose to see me!” Hilde told him, then laughed at his red face. “Just teasing. You blush so easily.”

            Quatre closed his eyes and shook his head, then looked up. “Wait, this isn’t the throne room.”

            “No, my parents will be in the library.”

            “Is their time of solitude? I can wait-“

            “They won’t mind.” Hilde paused before great, carved oak doors and with surprising ease, pushed them open. “Mother, Father?”

            “Come in.” a voice called. The room was impressive. Fully big enough for a King’s stable, it was literally floor to ceiling, wall to wall books and manuscripts, save for the great windows near the roof. Before a great fire place, sat a noble, dark haired elf with kindly, but wise gray eyes. Opposite him sat a fair Elven lady, dressed in white. They stood as the two younger Elves entered and proper greetings were exchanged, and Quatre and Hilde were invited to sit.

            “Well, my prince,” King Servian said once they were seated. “To what cause do I owe this visit? Nothing wrong I hope.”

            “I’m afraid it is.” Quatre told him. “I’m afraid I have bad news.”

*  *  *

            They were coming closer. Relena stood, her staff in hand. Heero strode forward, unconsciously guarding her front. Katarina’s golden hair was on in and she growled in a threatening manner.

            “Wargs.” Relena whispered. “They’ve got wargs with them.” No sooner had she spoken, then when they attacked. Heero fought them off as well, as he could, but there were too many. Relena tried as well, but she was an archer and not used to close combat. Dropping her staff, she grabbed her bow, then climbed to the little outcropping of rock that had been sheltering her and Heero. Aiming, she began to shoot down srych around her, then winced as fire was returned. Admittedly, this hadn’t been the best position, but she had to be above them to fight.

            Heero noticed the arrows and turned for an instant, feeling a slight pang of alarm as he saw Relena shooting. He opened his mouth to tell her to get down, when a syrch’s sword cut his arm. Heero growled and stabbed it, then lopped the head off of another. A third was felled by Relena’s arrow.

            She reached back to grab another, but found her quiver empty. Her eyes widened in panic, then she gave a gasp of pain as an arrow hit her chest. Staggering, she fell, hitting the hard ground with a sickening thud. Heero ran after her, ignoring the enemy. He grabbed the princess and turned to face the syrch, but Katarina leaped in front of him, her white wings open, shielding them both. Heero understood and mounted Wing. They flew off, Katarina following.

*  *  *

            “I apologize.” Quatre said softly. Servian shook his head.

            “It’s not your fault.” he stood. “You will stay here the night.”

            Quatre stood as well. “Thank you, but I will stay the night with my companions.”

            “They are not with you in the city?” Servian sounded surprised. “Who are they?”

            Quatre grimaced inwardly. “Dorco the dwarf and Duo, a Dark Elf. A dragon accompanies us as well.”

            “Strange companions.” Servian murmured. “I see. Well, perhaps you might stop by tomorrow.” He smiled at his daughter. “I know Hilde would like to see you again.”

            Quatre smiled back and bowed respectfully. “That I will do. Majesties, Hilde.” He walked out. Hilde turned to her parents. Her father nodded slightly. She ran after Quatre.

            “Quatre! Wait.”

            He stopped and turned.

            “I just needed to know.” Hilde said. “Relena, is she…?”

            “She is fine as far as I know.” Quatre told her. “She has not deserted me.” Hilde’s face brightened.

            “That is good.” she whispered. “Good bye Quatre.”

            “Farewell.” he answered softly.

*  *  *

            “Stay alive.” Heero whispered. Relena’s face had gone un-naturally pale, the shaft of the black quivered with every breath she took. The poison from the blade was making the wound turn black and purple. Heero bit his lip as Relena drew another shuddering breath. Katarina walked over and nudged her mistress worriedly. She looked at Heero with great golden-brown eyes, as if to ask if her mistress would be all right.

            “Watch her.” Heero said quietly. He stood and strode out.

*  *  *

            “Eli! Aiden!” Midii screamed, dragging Robert behind her. He was sobbing hysterically. She stopped and whirled around. All around them was fire and soot. Shaking, Midii ran over to her father. He was dead, an arrow threw his heart. Drawing back, she began to cry, shaking.

            “Eli! Aiden!” She cried again. “Where are you!?”

Robert sobbed, clutching her skirt. Suddenly, Midii stiffened. Drum beats. They were coming back. Grabbing Robert, she dragged him away, towards the forest. They ran as fast as they could, then tripped over something. Turning, Midii saw a bundle. She reached out a hand, then gasped. It was Eli, his blue eyes vacantly staring up wards. She followed his dead gaze. Aiden was in the tree, hanging. He too was dead. Midii was shaking uncontrollably now. Robert had stopped his wailing, his face pinched and pale.

            “You.”

            That simple word made Midii jumped three feet in the air. She stood, hiding Robert behind her. Out of the shadows a figure appeared.

            “Who are you?” Midii asked. The figure drew back his hood. Midii didn’t know whether to be relieved or scared. It was the young man who had rescued her mule.

            “Nanashi.” she whispered.

            “Come.” he commanded, picking up Robert. She lifted up her skirts, jogging behind him, leaving the burning farm house behind.

*  *  *

            “They’ve struck again.” Sally whispered. It was morning, and the remains of a burned farm lay around her. Mieran looked around, her eyes wide. WuFei whispered something under his breath.

            “How long do you think the others have?” Sally asked him. He shrugged his shoulders.

            “We’d better get moving.” he said. The other two mounted, but Mieran stood there for a moment, watching, tears in her eyes. Finally, she mounted Kamri and they took off.

*  *   *

            “Are you sure?”

            Mariemeia heard Une say. She wasn’t supposed to be eavesdropping, but it was the only way she got to know anything around here.

            “She old enough. It’s time for her to go back.” Trieze answered. Mariemeia frowned. Go back where? Oh no, they’re going to send me home.

            “But can she handle the responsibility? Granted, she is the rightful leader, but still-“

            “I don’t know.” Treize cut Une off. “But it looks like Fate has decided for us. She will go; I know she can do this.”

            Mariemeia withdrew. Something was wrong; she was going to have to do something, something important, but she didn’t know how to take it.

*  *  *

            “Coming! Coming!” a wizened old man limped across the floor and opened the door. His face brightened. “Heero! It’s good to see you, boy! Come in!”

            “I can’t.” Heero said. “I need your help.”

            “Eh?”

            “I’ve got a wounded Elf. She’s been hit with a srych arrow and I’m pretty sure the thing was poisoned. I don’t want to move her-“

            “Of course, of course.” The old man bustled about quickly, gathering herbs, bandages and other things. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

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Jaid: Whew! Done!

Jad: Now you just have to finish the story.

Jaid: *face fault* Don’t remind me…