15-May-2000
Title: JOURNEY - Part 2/?
Author: Lady Murasaki (sylver_wind@yahoo.com)
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is NOT mine. I'm not making any money
off of this. If you sue, you'll get my dirty socks, so don't
bother.
Warnings: AU, OOC abound, (sort of) sympathetic Relena
This land was magnificent, truly incredible. It was extraordinarily picturesque and so peaceful. The young prince sat on a rock watching the tide roll in. The sun was just setting and its rays transformed the ocean into liquid gold: shimmering, whispering - alive. Duo closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the breeze on his face.
Tonight, the ship's crew and passengers would sleep on the beach in their makeshift camp and tomorrow the repairs would begin. A few days and they would once again be homeward bound. Duo felt an unbidden pang of regret at the thought that he'd soon have to return to his old life - a life of fake smiles and pretend well wishers.
A life without Mara. He was startled to realize that he hadn't thought about the dead girl for a while.
<<Can I be beginning to forget her?.No, that's impossible! It would be a betrayal of her memory.But maybe, just maybe it is time to move on? Can I ever move on? Can I do so without forgetting her? >>
The waves continued to roll in and the wind still blew softly, oblivious to one young man's broken heart.
The next morning, the crew started the repairs under the supervision of the ship's first mate. Duo, who didn't know much about carpentry for obvious reasons, decided that he'd be most useful if he removed himself from the scene and didn't get in the way. The day before, he noticed a narrow estuary that curved well inland, not far from the campsite.
As he was still a teenager with a teenager's flair for adventure, he took a boat and, having armed himself, slipped away to explore the territory on his own. Duo was curious and he also wanted to be alone for a while, so he refused an escort although his companions weren't happy about letting him go off on his own. By the time they got around to voice their objections, the youth was gone.
Duo steered his little vessel into the estuary. He didn't have to exert much force rowing since the tide was coming in. He moved along slowly, taking in the sights around him, never ceasing to wonder. The surroundings were truly gorgeous and looked primeval, untouched by man. Letting the waves do most of the work and putting his brain on autopilot, the youth started thinking, allowing his imagination run wild. He imagined how great it would be if this, in fact, turned out to be an uninhabited area where he could escape to live in peace, without the turmoil of public life, the court, his obligations as the future leader of his country.
The heir to the throne - Duo grinned at the sound of it. His country was tiny - one could probably cross it in a day on a good horse. However, the people still took themselves and their government extremely seriously. The king and the royal family in general were not much different from most other citizens in terms of wealth, but psychologically they were worlds apart. For all Duo's camaraderie, he would not have been allowed to associate with common people to the point of making friends with them. The boy hated that; he hated the stuck-up stagnant air of nobility, custom, and tradition that had surrounded him all his life. That was one of the reasons why he and Mara had gotten along so well - she had shared his dislikes and approved of them. She had been Duo's only true friend and, with her gone, the prince was left to bear his burden in solitude. The boy sighed as the pain of his loss washed over him anew.
Looking around, Duo realized that he had nearly reached the end of the estuary. His arms were getting tired and he decided to continue his exploration on foot. Finding a suitable nook, he went ashore and tied the boat to a sapling conveniently growing over the water. Duo also spotted a rather wide stream that joined the estuary not far from where he was. Memorizing his location, Duo slung his weapon over his shoulder and entered the forest. He decided to keep more or less near to the stream so that he wouldn't get lost in the unfamiliar land. As much as he liked this place, spending the night out in the open in a wild forest wasn't Duo's idea of fun.
Soon, he came to a spacious meadow surrounded by the trees. The stream made a pool there and the overall atmosphere was that of utmost calm. The prince decided that this was as good place as any to take a break. Sitting down under the shade of a yew, he closed his eyes and listened to the wind whisper gently among the treetops. Slowly, Duo became aware of the myriad of small noises that filled the woods. The distant hum of the ocean, the murmur of the stream, soft groans of tree branches touched by the breeze, an occasional animal or bird sound, a twig being snapped by something or someone. Duo felt his pain dissolve as his soul became one with nature.
Suddenly, the serenity was shattered by shrill screams of a woman. Duo's eyes snapped open and he tried to locate where the screaming came from. It seemed that the source wasn't very far away. The teenager jumped to his feet and, making sure he still had his crossbow, he ran in the direction of the shrieks. Whoever the female was, she clearly sounded like she was in trouble and all his chivalrous instincts kicked in. As Duo approached the source of screams, they grew farther apart and were punctuated by a low male voice that sounded distinctly irritated. The female was answering him, her tone just as angry. Then the screams would start again.
All of a sudden, they ceased. The prince thought he was too late, but several moments later he heard someone make their way through the undergrowth, clearly without any attempt at concealment for the branches were snapping loudly. Another minute and the young man had his arms full of a bedraggled female who had blindly flung herself at him.
The woman's clothes were all but torn off and hung off her shoulders in rags. Her honey blond hair was disheveled and her eyes which, Duo noticed, were blue-gray, were flashing wildly "Help me!" she screamed hoarsely.
"What's going on?" the prince was completely bewildered.
The next moment, however, he had his answer as a man tore through the bushes in the girl's wake, roaring obscenities and threatening to kill the girl. Judging from the threats and the girl's appearance it was not very hard to figure what the man's intentions had been.
He was tall, burly and, from what Duo could see, ten times stronger than him. However, here was a damsel in distress and he would help her. Shoving the girl behind him, Duo trained his crossbow on the newcomer and ordered him to stop. When the man failed to comply, the boy shot him in the shoulder, causing the perpetrator to freeze and howl in pain.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" he screamed, clutching at the wound.
"I don't know who you are, or what's going on here, but this woman obviously doesn't want you around, so you would better leave well alone. Before you taste another one of my arrows!" The prince's tone was arrogant, the years of training finally proving of use.
"You little brat! I will tear you to shreds!" the man launched himself at Duo. The youth prepared to shoot again, but the weapon misfired and he didn't have the time to load another arrow.
"Run!" the girl whispered urgently, "He'll kill you too."
Duo shook his head, refusing to abandon the woman to her fate with this maniac.
As the psycho tried to hit him, Duo sidestepped smoothly, allowing the man's momentum to carry him past. Turning around, the boy kicked his attacker in the butt, causing him to sprawl out on the ground in a graceless heap.
Since it didn't look like the offender was going to bother them anytime soon, Duo started walking away, then turned around when he realized the girl wasn't following him. She was still standing in the same spot, looking at her fallen adversary.
"I wouldn't recommend staying here for too long, unless you want to be bothered by him again."
As a response, the girl shrugged and walked away quickly. Now that they were out of danger, Duo had the chance to take a better look at the girl he just saved. A close inspection revealed that she was about Duo's own age - 18 or thereabouts. She was a bit shorter than he, with honey was blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, large blue- gray eyes and a snub nose. At the moment she looked less than presentable with her clothes in rags and hair a complete mess.
However, there was a distinct regal air in the way she carried herself.
When they were some distance away from the clearing, Duo stopped and turned to the girl. Suddenly unsure of what he should say, he decided to start somewhere.
"So, do you have a name?"
"My name is Relena," the girl responded regally.
"Why is that man after you?"
"He doesn't know his place and he doesn't know how to take 'no' for an answer."
"His place?" Duo repeated blankly. "I suppose I should thank you for saving me.If you are looking for payment, you may come with me and I will have my keepers give you something."
Duo noticed that now, when Relena was out of danger, her demeanor changed radically. Where before had been a frightened and helpless girl, now was an arrogant and condescending one. And Duo was incensed at her offer of payment.
"I didn't help you to get paid!" he announced just as haughtily. Two could play this game. "I did what any man in my position would have done. Good day, my lady!" and Duo turned to leave.
As he started to walk away, Relena spoke: "Wait! I'm.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you. I really am grateful. Perhaps you would give me your name and where you come from, stranger? As far as I know, my clan is the only people on this island."
"I'm Duo and my ship was brought here by yesterday's storm. The ship is in need of repairs, but as soon as that is done, we will be on our way. I hope you don't mind?" the last phrase was accompanied by Duo's most appealing smile.
The girl visibly relaxed and even smiled back.
"I'm sure it will be fine."
Suddenly, she cast her gaze downward and Duo noticed a faint blush start to creep into her face. He felt his own face light up as they both realized that the girl's clothes, or remains thereof, did not conceal much at all.
End Part 2
(:./murasaki/journey2)
