15-Oct-2001
Yeah! I finally finished this fic! After several weeks of illness, work, more work, stress and being too tired to type, I finally got this chapter done! I'm sorry it took so long, but as they say, life happens. Anyway, I want to thank everyone for being patient, here is your reward.
Author: Tigress Pern
Title: Beauty and the Beast
Archived: Gundam Wing Addiction
Type: drama/fairy tale
Warnings: Treize + Une, some OOC
Disclaimer: I don't own GW. Please don't sue!
It was late in the day when the enemy forces finally found the chateau. They opened the gates easily and started onto the grounds. For a few yards it was silent and the small army thought they had caught the noble by surprise. Little did they know that they were walking into a trap.
From his window Treize could see the band of fifty or so men creep into his grounds. Beside him Une waited patiently.
"Soon. Just a bit closer." Treize said turning to look at her. Une nodded. "Everything is ready, correct?"
"Yes, everyone has been moved inside. The children and the elderly are hidden in the cellars along with a few strong men and women with weapons. The rest are ready in case your spells fail." She told him.
"Let us hope that they hold. I don't want anyone hurt, besides our enemy."
The army wandered closer to the great chateau. Several men on the perifery of the unit slipped into the gardens to pick fruit or vegetables. Une frowned as she watched them knowing full well that Relena and Noin would be furious. They hated having people tromp carelessly through their gardens. Touching her hand, Treize gave Une a reassuring smile. She smiled back.
"Now they will learn that they shouldn't trespass on other people's lands." Treize commented casually lifting one hand out in front of him. He spoke a few words and lightning flashed from a clear sky striking the ground by the commanding officer's horse. The animal screamed and reared dumping the man directly on his tailbone, shattering it. He cried out then swore at the fleeing beast. Around him, his men stared in shock at what had happened.
Treize spoke again and this time lightning struck the ground seven times in a row just in front of them, creating a blackened line in the earth. A panicked whisper began amongst the enemy soldiers. They looked about like nervous rabbits searching for the fox they knew was lurking just out side their burrow.
"Enough with the parlor tricks." Treize stated. "I think they've had their warning."
"Indeed." Une replied.
A gale force wind swept up throwing the men back or pinning them to the ground. A few struggled to stand, but were knocked back down. They slid along the ground until they hit something solid, such as a tree, rock or one of their friends. The horses whinnied and fled leaving those that had not been blown off the grounds on their own to get home. When the wind died down, ghostly warriors appeared and proceed to pick up terrorizing the unit where the wind left off.
From their tower perch, Treize and Une watched the chaos. With calm expressions they waited for all the enemy's forces to flee. Pelted by flying debris, frightened by shades, singed by fire and scorched by lightning, the army decided it had had enough after a very short time. The commander signaled for a retreat and no one disobeyed. They decided that they had run into a wizard's palace and it was best not to mess with those with magic. After all, it was obvious that the cruel person was simply toying with them and that thought did not sit well with anyone.
As the last straggler vanished from view, Une sighed with relief. It was over.
"YEAH!" Hilde cried throwing her hands in the air. "They're gone!" A great cheer went up from the people gathered in the great hall. They had been waiting in tense silence for the invaders to come. It appeared though that only Treize's magic had been necessary to drive the enemy away.
Excited and relieved the throng of villagers and servants began hugging one another. Handshakes were shared along with pats on the back. But Treize and Une received the biggest praise. If it had not been for this noble wizard and Une's determination to save her village, the enemy would have won. Therefore it was only right that the couple be regarded with high esteem.
Slightly leaning on Une, Treize smiled at the crowd. He was tired from using his powers. This human body didn't have as much stamina as the Beast's. But it was the better body to be in, he decided as he glanced at Une. Even though she loved him no matter what form he took, Treize preferred to be human. It meant that for the first time in seven years he could leave this chateau and see the world again.
"It is a good thing you've done here." Une said softly.
"Me?" Treize shook his head. "We, my love. We. I wouldn't have been granted the opportunity to help these people if I had not met you."
"But they wouldn't have been saved if you hadn't used your magic." She pointed out in a stern tone.
"It still was you, not me who convinced them to come."
"You had the resources and…"
"Fighting already?" Hilde inquired suddenly moving in front of the couple. She cocked one eyebrow and gave them a wry smile. "Really and you aren't even married yet."
"Are you sure you want to marry into my family?" Une asked glaring at her sister. Treize only laughed.
"More than every. I never had a little sister before." He reached out and rested one hand on her shoulder. "So I may end up spoiling her a bit."
"Oooh, really? You mean I can ask for anything and you'll get it for me?"
"With in reason." Treize replied, suddenly having a bad feeling about what he'd just said.
"Now you've done it." Une warned him. Hilde smiled her widest, most innocent smile.
"Can I have Duo?" she asked batting her eyes. Both Treize and Une groaned. "I promise to feed him properly."
Somewhere in the crowd Wufei elbowed Duo and repeated what Relena had just over heard. The brunette paled slightly and then ran and hid. It would take them four hours to find him and convince him Hilde was only joking, a little.
With the enemy retreating from her lands suddenly, Her Majesty, the Queen decided that she would not pursue them further. She ordered border patrols to be set up then began the long march back to the capital. She decided that it was important to tour the kingdom on her way back, she needed to see how her people faired. There was another reason for the tour, she needed to make her niece familiar with the lands. The young woman would be inheriting the throne. After seven years, the Queen had finally given up hope of ever rescuing her son. They had captured the man who had abducted him. He was a wizard of significant power and a conspirator. He and her advisor, Quinze, had conspired to prolong the war to fill their coffers. It had taken seven years for her to see the light and realize how blind she'd been. She never should have let Quinze lead her blindly through the war. She still could see his face when she executed him. That cruel laughter in his eyes as the executioner's axe came down. The Queen had never seen such a look until Tsuborov was captured. The wizard freely admitted to his part in the abduction and teased her continuously about the prince's whereabouts.
"Only the beast of the woods knows for sure." Were Tsuborov's last words to her. The Queen had no idea what he meant, but she had a horrid feeling. As the days had passed, she begun to believe that her son had been turned into a stag, like in the tales of old, and killed by a wolf or wild dog.
"Aunt?" Duchess Dorothy asked softly as she entered the Queen's tent one afternoon several days into the tour.
"Yes?"
"A messenger has arrived from a village north of here. Apparently they were forced to evacuate their homes because of an enemy unit. According to the man, he's been searching for us for several weeks now." Balling her hands into fists, the Queen ground her teeth.
"Those lying…" she paused momentarily as she wrangled in her emotions. "How many days away are we?"
"Three Your Majesty."
"Tell the men that there will be a change in our present course. Let us go see what damage has been done and if there is anyone alive to help."
Dorothy nodded and bowed to her aunt. Turning, she left abruptly leaving the Queen alone. Once her niece was gone, the Queen slumped to her cot and ran her hands through her graying hair. At one time it had been a beautiful ginger color, but now the stress of the war had dulled its color. White strands were liberally mixed with the ginger making her feel older than she was. If she hadn't been so blind she would have spotted Quinze's treachery years ago and the war wouldn't have last this long. Even with the temporary truce, the enemy dogged her step. How dare they strike a village after their king had signed the truce documents with her! Those simpering cowards, just waiting for a chance to attack innocent civilians. If her son was still alive, things might have been different. He would have led the army to victory, she was sure of it. There was no use dwelling on what might have been because it didn't do her any good now. She'd done her best to prepare Dorothy as the next queen of the land, but she was still too young.
"He would have been nearly twenty-four now." She whispered to the room. "He would have taken his father's place and ruled this land in peace. Perhaps he would have married a nice duchess or countess. There would be children, only a few now, but more in the future. And I would be the Dowager Queen with no active duties such as leading an army. Ah, it is a sweet dream, but only that. A dream."
Slowly standing the Queen shook off the emotions still clinging to her face. She had a duty to perform. Walking out of her tent, she went in search of her squire. They had a long ride ahead of them, best to start now.
"Lift that higher, no higher." Sylvia Noventa said standing in front of the arbor the townspeople had erected.
"Here?" asked Quatre as he perched on a ladder to one side helping to position the banner. Across from him, Heero glared at Sylvia.
"That's perfect!" she exclaimed clapping her hands together. "Tie it off. Hilde, how are the flowers coming?"
"We're working as fast as we can." Hilde grumbled. "The wedding isn't until tomorrow, relax."
"It's tradition that the Noventa family helps with every wedding that takes place in the village." Sylvia stated crossing her arms. "And we make them perfect."
"So she claims." Muttered Relena weaving a long stemmed rose into the arbor. Noin chuckled and Catherine fingered one white rose like it was a knife. Testing its weight she seriously contemplated throwing it at Sylvia, but a stern look from Noin made her think twice.
Treize and Une's wedding was only a day away and the entire town was preparing for it. Everyone was helping from Treize's servants to the children. Women and men were cooking, baking and making all sorts of dishes especially for the event. Several women, lead by Mrs. Noventa had been sewing Une's wedding dress for two straight weeks. It was rumored to be the finest in the county, but no one was to see it until the wedding. Sylvia Noventa was overseeing the decorating, but occasionally was forced to listen to Hilde's advice of what her sister liked. This was to be the biggest event the town had seen in a long time and no one wanted it to be ruined.
"HEY!" Wufei's voice rang out over the square. His large bay horse, Shenlong, charged into the village sliding to a halt near the arbor. "Where is Treize-sama? I have urgent news!"
"What's the matter?" Relena called worriedly. Shenlong danced eager to continue on with her mission.
"Troops! The Queen's troops are on their way here! I saw them down on the South Road." Treize's servants tensed up. "Where is his Excellency?"
"With the town lawyer working on the marriage contract." Heero stated pointing the direction. Wufei nodded thanks and rode off.
Treize was nodding at the wording of the marriage contract. Glancing over at he soon to be father-in-law, he waited for the man to finish reading. Une sat next to him already nodding her head in approval.
"I find this appropriate." The older man said at last. The lawyer clapped his hands together happily glad that this was at last over. He hated when all the parties knew how to read fine print and insisted on reading it before they signed.
Suddenly the door slammed open and Wufei entered. "Treize-sama. I have an urgent message. The Queen's troops are on their way here!" Four heads snapped around to look at him.
"The Queen's troops." The lawyer said shaking slightly.
"Coming here?" Une's father demanded gripping the edge of the table.
"Why?" Une asked glancing over at Treize. Her fiance scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"I wondered how long it would take that woman to find me." Treize almost growled.
"What?" Une looked directly at her finace.
"My mother and I didn't exactly part on good terms." He replied.
"Your WHAT?"
"You're the PRINCE!" Treize winced as Une glared at him. "And exactly WHEN were you going to tell me?"
"A prince, my daughter is marrying a prince. I'm so happy!"
"FATHER!"
"I'm sorry Une." Treize began, speaking softly. "But I was hoping I'd never have to return to that life. My mother wasn't exactly the most loving, caring person in the world. Even when my father was alive. She was always pushing me to be a great warrior and eventual king. I wasn't very keen on the idea. Zechs can attest to that. I thought the war with our neighbors was costing too many lives and snuck off to meet with their prince to see if there could be a deal worked out. He wasn't very fond of what his parents were doing either. Unfortunately our plan was uncovered by Tsuborov, a powerful wizard in service to their king. He captured me and despite my best efforts placed a spell on me. I don't know what happened to the other prince."
"So you don't consider yourself the prince of our land anymore, is that it?" Une inquired leaning against the wall.
"I guess you could say that. I'd rather not be king, but if my mother finds me, that'll be the first thing she does. And I know she would disapprove of my marriage to you."
"Well, we can't have her ruining my daughter's happiness!" Une's father declared standing up. "Make haste! We must hid my son-in-law from that madwoman!"
"Father, she can't be that bad."
"You've never met the Queen. I have. Back before the King died your mother and I had an audience her. I've never been so insulted in my life. She didn't make it sound like an insult, but it was."
"Ah, yes. That would be my mother." Treize muttered. Une didn't like this.
"Well, what do you plan to do Treize-sama?" Wufei inquired still standing in the doorway. "From what I hear, the townspeople aren't very fond of royalty currently."
"They'll like Treize-sama." The lawyer assured him. "After all, he is the only member that's actually done something for the people to help rather than dig us deeper into this war. I suggest we tell them the truth first and then get to work throwing the Queen off the trail."
"Thank you, but I think its about time I faced my mother. I've been hiding from her long enough."
The village appeared to be preparing for a wedding. The Queen leaned over to the messenger and asked him if they had the right village. He nodded dumbfounded at the sight. Everyone was carrying on as if the Queen and her troops weren't there. People were shouting orders, children ran this way and that with ribbons, flowers and baskets of other items. Suddenly the Queen felt out of place. It had been a decade since she'd heard the laughter of a child. Her child running through the rose gardens, climbing the trees and playing with his little cousin. At the time she'd thought it was beneath him to do such things, he was a prince. Now, she wished she'd let him play. Maybe then he they wouldn't have quarreled as much.
"You there!" Dorothy called to a young man with brown hair and green eyes. "Do you know who we are?" Trowa continued brushing the horse he'd been working with. "Answer me!"
"Perhaps he can't because he is a mute?" suggested the Queen.
"Trowa! Is Virgo ready?" Hilde shouted waving to her friend.
"Yes, she is!" he replied.
"Good!"
Dorothy glared at them with pure malice.
"How dare that impudent boy! Doesn't he know that you are the Queen and you demand his respect." Dorothy exclaimed gripping the reins of her horse tightly.
"I used to think that way." The Queen replied. "But I've learned something. If you treat people badly, they will only hate you. Treat them with respect and kindness and most will do the same to you. Watch." The Queen rode forward, dismounted and led her charger over to Trowa.
"Excuse me. But I heard that this town was over run by enemy troops." The Queen said politely.
"It was." Trowa answered.
"Then how come it looks as everyone survived."
"Because everyone did."
"The enemy was driven away." Sylvia said coming up behind the Queen. "His Excellency, the Lord of the Bloodwood drove off the invaders. He was kind enough to shelter all of us in his chateau during the incident."
"He did?" The Queen quickly racked her mind of nobles, but could not remember a Lord of the Bloodwood. Wait, wasn't the summer chateau supposed to be in a forest? She'd never used the place, but her mother-in-law had occasionally in her time. Where was it?
"Yes." Trowa confirmed.
"We're celebrating his Excellency's wedding tomorrow." Sylvia told the Queen, winking at Trowa.
"Really?"
"Yes." Both Trowa and Sylvia said.
"I wonder if I could meet with this Lord of the Bloodwood. My troops and I have need of a place to stay." The Queen watched them both nod and Sylvia hurried off to retrieve Treize. The Queen walked back to her troops to tell them what she had learned. The messenger looked flabbergasted.
"But there is no Lord of the Bloodwood." He stated. "There is only a rumor of a monster that lives at the forest's heart. I wonder who this charlatan is?"
"As do I." The Queen muttered rubbing her chin. She turned around just in time to see a beautiful young woman with brown hair and eyes walking towards them. Beside her strode a young man with ginger hair and blue eyes. The Queen only stared, her brain telling her that it was impossible. The man looked like her son, only older and more sure of himself. But Treize was dead, wasn't he? Suddenly she remembered what Tsuborov had said before his death and piecing it with what the messenger had just said she began to hope. Maybe this was Treize, maybe her son was still alive. Maybe she had a second chance.
"Am I too assume you are the Lord of the Bloodwood?" Dorothy's shrill voice snapped from behind the Queen. The man smiled.
"I am." He replied coolly. He was waiting for something, the Queen could tell.
"This messenger tells us there is no Lord of the Bloodwood." Dorothy continued.
"There has been in the past, I have simply reclaimed my birthright." Treize answered her brushing a stray lock behind his ear. "And not a moment too soon, or these people would have been killed."
"I've never seen you at any ball." Dorothy retorted. "Therefore you cannot be of noble blood."
"I've been to many balls, most were a very long time ago and you were but a child at the time. Although, I am surprised you don't remember me." Dorothy was at a loss of words. She fumed from up on her steed and continued to glare at the man. When that didn't seem to be working, she glared at Une. Une simply ignored her.
"I remember." The Queen said at length. "I remember when you used to run around in the rose garden as a child. I remember when cried at the King's funeral. I remember when you used to hide in the library and read books of magic. I remember much, but especially the day you said you were going to the summer palace and never came back. I remember getting the message that you were in the hands of our enemy. I remember wishing I could turn back time and start over." Blinking tears from her eyes, the Queen walked over to her son and hugged him.
"I missed you my son." The entire army stared in silent shock as the Queen kissed Treize on the cheek. Une smiled and brushed Treize's hand. Slowly Treize raised his arms and wrapped them around his mother.
"I'm sorry to cause you trouble." He said softly. The Queen shook her head.
"It's all right. You were just following your heart. Something I should have done a long time ago. I'm just happy to see that you are still alive. I'd given up hope of…"
"I nearly lost hope too. I was under a spell and couldn't leave the summer palace. That was until my brave fiancee, Une, rescued me." He gently released his mother and took Une's hand. "I am marrying her tomorrow morning."
"I won't object." The Queen said. She turned to Une. "I owe you much. I don't know what type of person you are, but you must be good or else my son wouldn't want to marry you. I do ask one thing though."
"And what is that Your Majesty?" Une inquired.
"I would like to be invited to your wedding. If that is all right?"
"Of course it is all right." Une replied smiling warmly.
"Thank you. And you may call me Mother."
"You're welcome, Mother."
"The summer palace isn't very far from here and what servants are still there will be happy to give you a clean bed to sleep in." Treize informed his mother. "The other servants are otherwise occupied here preparing for tomorrow."
"Thank you. Ah, how do you get there?"
"I'll have Trowa take you there. Trowa?" Treize called over his shoulder.
As the Queen returned to her horse and mounted, Dorothy snarled.
"That's my cousin? What is he doing marrying a commoner?"
"Dorothy! I'm ashamed of you. You should know that looks and rank do not make a person, it is what is in their hearts that count." The Queen scolded as Trowa mounted and road towards them. "I'm looking forward to getting to know both my son and his wife. Tomorrow proves to be the beginning of a wonderful new start for us all."
And as they say…They lived happily ever after.
End Chapter Ten
Tigress Pern