Jaid: Hiya! Chapter seven! I’m on a role! ^__^

Story Dedication: “The Price of Redemption” by Midii Une. Prominently a 3xMU story, but has the other couples. Is a very, very good story, with lots of twists.  

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Chapter Seven

            The woman stood in the darkness but she was not alone. Dark figures, like shadows, fluttered and flitted about and around her, but her dark eyes were fixed on a black pool at her feet. One hand was stretched out towards it, the other clasped a staff tightly. Blood red lips wordlessly mouthed a spell as the water began to move and take shape. A figure rose and bowed it’s head.

            “He is here.” the woman said. “Bring him to me. But I want him alive.”

            The creature bowed and then disappeared. The woman smiled cruelly.

*  *  *

      The queen of Cainterah sighed and leaned against the balcony, her eyes gazing out on the horizon. Behind her, Meiran stood, debating silently whether to approach the other young woman or to simply walk away. Suddenly, the queen turned.

      “M’Lady!” she smiled. “Please, join me.”

      Meiran walked up next to her. “Thank you.” she said. But please, call me Meiran, your Highness.”

      “Then you must call me Catherine.” the queen answered. Meiran nodded and both women were silent for a little while.

      “Will it work?” Catherine whispered. Meiran looked at her.

      “What?”

      Catherine turned towards Meiran. “Will it work? Or will we be destroyed?”

      Meiran looked down. “I can’t tell you that Your High- uh, Catherine. All I can say is that there is no harm in being prepared.”

      Catherine sighed. “I guess I’m having doubts. We have not fought for generations.”

      Meiran hesitantly placed a hand on Catherine’s shoulder. “There are times for everything.”

      “I know.” Catherine answered. “I just wish this wasn’t the time for war.”

      “So do we all.” Meiran whispered.

*  *   *

      Quatre looked at Dorothy. She pointedly ignored him, her pale hand stirring the water gently.

      “Dorothy,” he said softly. “I-“

      She stood, cutting him off. “How about some target practice?” she asked, smiling down at him. “I assume you are a decent shot.”

      Quatre stood as well. “I am.” he answered.

      “Good.” Dorothy said in a brisk tone. “I would like to have a bit of a challenge.”

      Quatre raised an eyebrow, but followed her to the target range.

*  *  *

            “Pelergrith antuvia.” Relena breathed, her eyes wide. The great stone hall was huge. If she hadn’t had Elvish sight, she wouldn’t have been able to see the top.

      Their dwarf guide turned and smiled at her. “Impressive, ain’t it?” he asked. Relena smiled back and nodded. They began to walk again.

      Heero stole a glance at her. Her eyes were bright and an innocent, almost childish expression of wonder was on her face. It was no wonder that the dwarf, who was as suspicious as the best of his people, had immediately taken to her and proudly answered her questions. Heero felt a twinge of jealousy. It had taken him nearly a year to get the guide to take him this far. Relena had convinced him to take her along within twenty minutes.

      “Heero?” her voice broke through his thoughts. “Are you all right?”

      “Yes.” he answered. Relena frowned at him, then was distracted as the guide announced their arrival to the main gate.

*  *  *

      Treize reined Tallgeese. The wolf hovered in mid-air for a few minutes, then took off again to where Trieze had nudged him. Treize smiled as he saw the the caravan. It was a good thing too; he was nearly out of water and food. Trieze shivered slightly and drew his cloak closer about him. The desert cooled dramatically at night, but the day was too hot to travel in. Spurring Tallgeese on a little more, he approached the Maguanacs.

*  *  *

      Dorothy drew back the string and let the arrow fly. Quatre smiled and nodded with approval as he marked where it landed.

      “You’re very good.” he commented, stepping forward and notching his own arrow.

      “As are you.” Dorothy answered, as Quatre let his fly. “But then Wood Elves are known for their superior archery.”

      Quatre shrugged easily. “Your turn.” he said softly. Dorothy nodded.

      In a small pavilion nearby, Hilde sat, chin in hand, watching them.

      “Whatca doin?” Duo asked. Hilde looked up and scowled.

      “I was enjoying the peace and quiet.” she said. Duo grinned.

      “Meaning you want me to leave.”

      “Yes.”

      “Too bad.” he said cheerfully and sat down. Hilde pursed her lips, then ignored him as she watched Quatre strike another target.

      “Looks like they are enjoying each other’s company.” Dorothy commented. Quatre turned and followed her gaze.

      “Not for long.” he told her. “Pretty soon, Duo will say something and they’ll be in a full-blown argument or she’ll march off.”

      Dorothy wryly smiled as she notched her arrow. “Quite a couple.” she murmured, taking aim.

      “Are you playing at match-making, Dorothy?” Quatre asked lightly. Dorothy raised an eyebrow as she stepped back.

      “I wouldn’t dream of it.” she commented dryly.

      “Why? You might be good at it.” he said, throwing her a boyish grin before he aimed his own arrow.

      “Your impossible.” Hilde said blankly. Duo thought for a moment, then shrugged.

      “Guess I am.” He grinned again. “You know what?”

      “I can’t imagine.”

      “I kinda like our arguments.”

      Hilde turned towards him. “Excuse me?”

      “Your fast.” he went on. “Almost faster than me. Never met a girl like you.”

      Hilde’s cheeks were a faint pink and she blinked several times, before drawing her brows together and fixing him with a stare.

      “Was that a compliment?” she demanded.

      “Take it any way you like.” Duo answered.

      “Well,” Quatre commented. “I think we’ve killed enough targets for this afternoon.”      

      Dorothy smiled as she placed her bow down. Together they walked forward to retrieve the arrows.

      “It’s been a long time, Dorothy.” Quatre said softly, after a short pause. Dorothy glanced at him, then back at the ground, the smile gone.

      “It has.” she agreed. “Maybe too long.” The last part was low, almost to herself, but Quatre heard it and it was his turn to glance at her sharply.

      “You said that Relena cried the first year I was gone.” he said, as they came up to the first target. “How is she now?”

      Dorothy sighed. “She gets into moods occasionally, usually when she’s been brooding or something. But for the most part, she seems quite normal.”

      Quatre nodded. “I see.”

      “Why?” Dorothy asked.

      Quatre sighed. “I don’t know.” he admitted. “I just don’t want her to hurt more than necessary.”

      “Maybe you should’ve thought of that before you stole her heart.” Dorothy said, not looking at him. Quatre looked at her, before she moved to the next target and began pulling out the arrows. Quatre followed.

      “Dorothy, I had no idea that I would be exiled.”

      “There were still complications.” Dorothy murmured, still not looking at him.

      “Yes, I knew there was. But I figured we could work around them.” Quatre sighed helplessly. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

      “Maybe you weren’t.” Dorothy commented, moving to the last target.

      “All right. I wasn’t thinking. I was in love. Blinded I guess you could say. In heaven’s name, Dorothy, we were both considered children.”

      Dorothy looked at him for the first time. “And what are you now? What is Relena too you now?”

      Quatre hesitated. “I don’t know.” he muttered, then turned and walked away. Dorothy looked at the fistful of arrows in her hand, then realized he was carrying the rest. She walked after him, head still down.

      “What happened?” Hilde asked as Quatre came over.

      “Nothing.” Quatre sighed. “Look, I’m going for a walk. Tell Dorco, all right?”

      “Sure.” Duo said. Quatre gave them a weak smile and walked away. Dorothy ignored him as he walked past.

      “I wonder what that was about.” Duo murmured.

      “Me too.” Hilde said. She and Duo exchanged looks, and he grinned.

      “Why don’t we find out?”

      “What?”

      “I’ll talk to Quatre and you talk to Dorothy.” he said.

      “Wait!” Hilde grabbed him by the arm. “I think Quatre needed some time to think.”

      “Fine, I’ll tackle him later. But Dorothy’s just over there-“

      “And what makes you think I’m talking to her?” Hilde asked.

      “Uh, ‘cause we want to know what happened?” Duo offered. Hilde crossed her arms.

      “I don’t think so.”

      “Hilde, look, they both just had an argument and-“

      “And what? It’s none of our business.” Hilde interrupted.

      “So?”

      Hilde sighed. “Duo, they’ll work it out. They have to anyways.”

      “Sometimes people who are in love need a little help, that’s all.” Duo commented.

      “What makes you think they’re in love?” Hilde asked, exasperated.

      “Come on, didn’t you see them?”

      “Forget it, Duo.” Hilde said, walking away.

      “Hey wait!” Duo went after her.

*   *   *

      “Trowa!”

      The young man turned to greet the red-headed young woman who greeted him with a wide smile and twinkling eyes. She embraced him.

      “Oh, it’s been forever!” she exclaimed. A hint of a smile showed on Nanashi’s lips. Midii looked at him in confusion. Robert clutched her skirt, sucking his thumb. Meiran was behind Catherine, looking at them.

      “Catherine.” Nanashi said, turning towards Midii and Robert. “This is Midii and her little brother, Robert. They need help.”

      The young woman’s kind eyes met Midii’s and she smiled softly.

      “I’m Catherine. You’re welcome to stay.”

      “Thank you.” Midii answered, shyly. She glanced at Nanashi. He noticed and met her eyes. She blushed and put her arm around Robert. Nanashi’s face softened slightly.

      “I guess you don’t remember me.” Meiran said, stepping forward.

      “Oh, Meiran.” Midii said. Meiran smiled.

      “I guess you do.” She looked at Nanashi. “It’s nice to see you again, sir. I’m glad your wife is doing well.”

      “Wife?” Catherine looked confused, then a tiny bit hopeful. Midii’s cheeks blazed red, while Nanashi remained as calm and cool as ever.

      “You’ve gotten married, Trowa?” Catherine asked hopefully. She hoped he did, maybe that would stop her younger brother’s incessant wandering.

      “No.” he answered. Catherine sighed.

      “But –“ Meiran began.

      “I never said we were married, did I?” Nanashi asked. Meiran’s cheeks warmed.

      “No.” She admitted.

      “Well, no matter who you are,” Catherine stated. “You’re welcome to stay Midii.”

      “Thank you.” she answered softly.

*  *  *

      Mareimeia tiptoed around the large room. She had never seen such a large library, not even Father’s rivaled this one. She walked around one bookcase, only to bump into someone and be sent, sprawling to the floor.

      “Sorry.” a low, cool voice said. A pale, slender hand helped her up and Mariemeia looked up into sky blue eyes. “Are you all right?”

      Mariemeia nodded, feeling her cheeks warm slightly. “Thank you.” she stuttered. The young man nodded, and slightly smiled.

      “I’m Mariemeia.” she said, offering her small hand. The man took it gently.

      “Sercan.” he answered, bowing slightly. Mariemeia smiled as he looked up and met her eyes.

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Jaid: I love getting out new chapters. I always feel as if I’ve accomplished something good.

Naga: That could be debated.

Jaid: -__-

Jad: Thanx for the cookies, Purple Ghost! They were yummy! ^_____^