In the Moon’s Shadow

Chapter Six: A Knight To Remember

1163 A.D.

26 miles from London, England

Village Rhisha, Church Courtyard

You know how you wake in the morning from a glorious dream and try to reclaim it by closing your eyes and basking in the memory of it? Well, that was how Heero reacted, though he wasn’t awakened by anything as mundane as the first rays of sunlight, and he wasn’t really dreaming. Instead he was standing in the courtyard of a church, his arms steadying a somewhat dazed Relena as they shared their first kiss. It was supposed to be a moment meant only for them, and if he had had his gun he wouldn’t have hesitated to shoot the fool who dared interrupt him. Except that ‘the fool’ in this case happened to be a half a dozen knights in armor on *destriers. They came riding up at a full gallop, shouting obscenities and generally behaving like the drunkards they were. They didn’t stop when they reached the courtyard either. Instead, they wheeled their well-trained horses and rode between the tables, kicking them over and destroying everything in their path. They seemed to think it was all in fun. After all, who really cared what happened to a peasant?

Heero broke away from Relena reluctantly, pushing her behind him as he gave the nearest knight his famous glare. It was only when that knight raised his sword that Heero remembered he had left his own back at the cottage, sitting harmlessly in the corner. He could picture it there, faintly mocking him about his attempt at a peaceful life. There was no such thing. Not for him, anyway. But he had tried these past few days, for Relena’s sake. Too bad it now left him at a disadvantage, if only a slight one. Let no one say that Heero Yuy was helpless without a weapon, far from it.

Without hesitation, he rushed forward, only a blur to the inebriated knight who he dispatched with a quick yank from his horse and a hard punch to the face. The knight immediately fell unconscious and Heero pulled the man’s sword from its sheath, hefting the hardened steel in his right hand as he gazed about for more potential victims.

And there were plenty.

All around him, the celebration had ignited into chaos. People were screaming in fear and running before steel-shod hooves. Everywhere, knights is battle dented armor were wreaking havoc, overturning tables and brandishing torches. The night had gone mad in only a few seconds.

“Heero! Behind you!”

He swung with the grace of one who had been born a warrior, raising his blade to meet another which drove towards his unsuspecting back. Sword met sword as he encountered his somewhat familiar opponent and his analytical mind brought him a realization even as Relena’s startled gasp behind him confirmed it.

The knight’s gaze followed the sound and his dark eyes widened as he recognized the small woman who stood only a few feet away. “You!” He said, between clenched teeth. “Alwain, Hugh, get that woman! She is a damned witch!”

Heero slammed the full force of his strength against the knight, as two others emerged on Relena. He was losing control of what was happening and it was making him angry. His dark eyes seared the man in front of him.

“You know she’s not a witch.” He said, coldly, parrying a thrust towards his stomach. “It was I who defeated you.”

“Speak not to me, churl. Only a witch could have empowered a peasant bastard to beat three knights. Her fate will be decided by the sword.”

Relena screamed behind him as she was grabbed roughly by the two knights.

Time slowed.

Heero turned, unthinkingly, towards the heart wrenching sound of Relena in trouble.

Heartbeat.

With an evil sneer, the knight behind him raised his sword.

Heartbeat.

Relena struggled in the arms of her captors, reaching one arm out to Heero as if to warn him.

Heartbeat.

The sword came down.

Heartbeat.

Heero fell as the broad side of the sword connected with his head.

Heartbeat.

Laughter and another cry.

“Heero!”

Time resumed its normal pace.

The darkness crept around his mind, making it difficult to move, to think. The only thing he could understand was that Relena was being taken away from him and he could not allow that to happen. Pushing himself up slightly, he lifted his head dazedly, trying to focus unresponsive eyes on a golden-haired woman that seemed impossibly far away. He heard her call his name but his body wouldn’t move, wouldn’t respond to her call. A voice above him laughed gratingly and kicked him in the side.

“Come to London if you wish to see her alive, peasant. We will see if you dare fight a knight without the aid of an accursed woman.”

Feet strode past him but his mind was already spiraling into unconsciousness. His one last coherent thought was that if he could’ve moved he would have torn that man apart, limb by limb, and any promise he had made about killing be damned.

Blackness beckoned, and he obeyed.

* * * *

“Will he be alright?” A soft voice whispered, close by. A woman’s voice.

“Aye, he just took a blow to the head. He’s a strong one, he’ll be alright, Rebekah.”

He struggled feebly against the comfortable darkness he was in, trying to make sense of what had happened to him. And something must have happened because everyone always spoke in whispers around people who were wounded.

A baby muttered a soft cry and was quickly shushed.

“What...What do you think they’ll do to Relena?” The woman asked, a worried note in her voice.

“I don’t know, love.” A pause. “I don’t know.”

Relena.

That name brought all his memories to the forefront and his eyes opened at the force of the remembrance. Caleb sat next to his bed, and Rebekah stood not far away, little Sara in her arms. He was glad to see that they looked unhurt, though Caleb bore a sword cut on his cheek.

“You’re awake.” Caleb said, solemnly, as Heero sat up slowly. “How’s your head?”

“I’ll manage.” He replied, shortly. “Did they take Relena?”

“Yes,” this from Rebekah. “One of the knights...he told Caleb that they would expect you at London within the week. They’re going to put her on trial...”

“Trial?” Heero’s eyes darkened at Caleb’s nod.

“Trial by combat. The knights, you see, they said she’s a witch and no one can go against the word of a knight except another knight. Relena will need a champion to fight her accuser. The two knights will joust and if her champion wins, it means she’s innocent. If he doesn’t...”

“She’ll be burned.” Heero supplied, coldly.

Suddenly, Caleb and Rebekah shared a look and Caleb opened the cottage door, letting half a dozen men come in. He knew most of them as farmers he had worked with. Good and loyal men he had come to trust. So it was surprising when he noticed what they were carrying. One was carrying his stolen sword, another had his hands full of armor, and still another held two huge lances that almost didn’t fit it he tiny house. Most gave him a nod, others clapped him on the back in sympathy. All in all, it was very confusing.

“What’s going on?” He asked, trying to make sense of it all.

Caleb gave him a fierce grin. “Heero, you may not believe this, but we love Relena almost as much as you do. Every since the both of you came, we have never been so light hearted. You gave us everything you had and helped us when you had no reason to. We want Relena back, too. We’re tired of living in fear of the knights and if we can win against them this one time, I feel we will have accomplished something.” He motioned to the man with all the armor. “Remember the knight you unhorsed? We stripped him of his armor and his war-horse is outside. Jonathan, the blacksmith, has made you a couple of lances, and Pete there has your sword. It’s not a lot but it’s all we can give.” He paused, “It’s all you’ll need to become a knight.”

Become a knight...

Interrupting his silence as disapproval, Rebekah continued for her husband, “Heero, Relena needs a champion and you know that no one else with fight for her. You can enter the tournament as an unknown knight. We will paint your shield white and we will find away to get you to London. As Relena’s champion no one will question you. The trial is meant to show God’s will and anyone may fight. You’re the only one, Heero, the only one...” She was close to tears, and, surprisingly, he summoned a half-smile for her.

“You misunderstand me, Rebekah.” He said, “I will never rest until Relena is free, but we still have a problem. I have never jousted. If someone can teach me, it will not take me long to learn.”

There was pause as that complication soaked in and then Caleb spoke up. “I think I’m correct in saying that I’m the only one in Rhisha that has ever seen a tourney. I’m a good observer and I might be able to help you a little.” He shrugged, “I will tell you everything I know, the rest is up to you.”

“Understood.”

Abruptly, Caleb broke out in one of his big grins. “It’s settled then. Tomorrow will be spent on training, and the day after, we bring Relena her champion.”

The men erupted into cheers and smiles, as Heero turned his thoughts inward.

Tomorrow....everything would begin.

Relena, wait for me...

tbc...

* * * *

Author’s Note: Hmmmmm, not as much angst as I was expecting, hmmmm, think I should do something about that? *cackles evilly* Well, you knew after that last WAFFy chapter there had to be some trouble in paradise. Ah, Heero: The Knight In Shining Armor. *sigh* I think there’ll be two more chapters to this story and since my writer’s block is over they’ll probably be out pretty quick! So, keep an eye out!

Review please, lords and ladies...