In the Moon’s Shadow

Chapter Seven: Star Laughter

1163 A.D.

London, England

St. Peters Cathedral, East Tower

Relena lay curled up in a fetal position on her small cot, her dark gold hair flaring out around her. She was dressed in a simple white dress that made her look very young and vulnerable, and her sky blue eyes were clouded and full of tears. Sunlight from the stained glass window painted colored shapes over her but she barely noticed the gorgeous architecture that surrounded her, so deep was her sorrow. She hadn’t moved since the sun had risen and she had no immediate plans to do so either. The two guards outside her door effectively hampered any thoughts she might have entertained in that direction anyway. No, her thoughts had long since drifted away from escape, now they only rested on Heero. The past few days had been so joyous and full of light that she had forgotten about wanting to go home, and simply lived to wake in the morning and find a warm place next to her where Heero had been. She had been so absorbed in living a peaceful normal life, a life where no one wanted to kill her because of her poistion, where she didn’t have to take the world on her shoulders, where everyday she learned something new about Heero...now it was all over. She shed tears over that more than anything else. It had all been so perfect, taking care of Sara, and becoming good friends with Rebekah. It was the life she had always wanted, no worries except about food and shelter, and family. Simple things compared to trying to stop a war between the colonies and earth. Simple things she had thought might last forever...

After all, she and Heero had somehow come back through time during an eclipse. They had no idea how they had come to be in this time or how they were going to get back. She had held a secret thought in her heart that they might be stuck in this time and place for the rest of their lives. Who was she to question why they were here? Maybe it was destiny...And would it have been really so bad to live out her life pretending to be Heero’s wife? And maybe, just maybe, they would have gotten married for real and had children and grown old together...Such simple things that meant so much.

Relena squeezed her eyes shut, glittering tears gathering in her lashes. It wasn’t like her to be so weak, but Heero was her source of strength, and with him gone... She just didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want Heero to kill for her, though she knew he would without question. She wanted him to be safe. She didn’t doubt his abilities but everything was different here, and they both knew little about this time and place. She could only hope that he would somehow be called home again. She could die peacefully if she knew he was alright.

Heero...

She could remember with vivid clarity the electrifying kiss she had shared with him. Their first. It had all been magical, the way his strong arms had held her and the gentleness of his lips on hers. She had never felt complete until that moment, when everything came together to form a beautiful tapestry of life.

“Oh, Heero...” She whispered, heartbroken. “I want to be strong, but I’m so afraid for you. “

A pounding on her door made her flinch but she stayed in her curled position as an old woman tottered into the room dressed in black robes with long gray hair in a prim bun. She wore a star pendant around her neck along with a small, leather sack. Her eyes were a steel gray with a surprisingly kind cast.

The old woman walked slowly over to the bed, placing her hands on her hips when Relena made no attempt to greet her. “Well, I can see someone is feeling sorry for herself.” She said, a note of disdain in her voice. “Just because you’ve been caught doesn’t mean you’re beaten.”

Relena glanced at her. “Caught? What do you mean? I’m not a witch.”

The old woman smiled, “Of course not, dearie, but I am.”

Relena sat up, abruptly interested. This was the witch Rebekah had told her about? The one that could make the stars dance? She looked more like a grandmother.

“My name is Ann,” She said, sitting delicately next to Relena. “and I’ve come to speak with you.”

“About what?”

“The moon has told me some peculiar things about you, dearest, and about that young man of yours. Did you know he’s been riding that great big horse of his over every field in the countryside learning to joust?”

“WHAT?”

“Oh, I see you didn’t know. It was quite humorous really, the stars were all in a titter about it.”

Relena was speechless.

“I also know something else about you,” Ann said, glancing at her smugly. “You were sent here for a reason, from a place faraway, to learn something you could only learn here.”

Relena felt faint.

“You may think you don’t know what it is, but I think that if you look inside yourself you’ll find the answer. Once you do, I have a feeling the moon will call you back.”

“Are you trying to tell me that Heero and I actually have a purpose here?” Relena managed, trying to take it all in.

“Of course. You didn’t actually think it was all chance did you?” Ann laughed, “You kids certainly have an odd view on things.”

“Ann,” Relena asked, slightly more collected, “Can you tell me if Heero is alright?”

“That boy would be healthy on his death bed, girl. Don’t worry about him, he knows what he’s doing. You just concentrate on keeping your spirits up and you’ll both do fine.” The old woman stood suddenly, adjusting her robes. “Well, I’d better get going. Just came to tell you that.” She headed for the door. “Take care of yourself, dearie, and that boy of yours, too.”

And then she was gone.

Shakily, Relena sat back against the wall, trying to figure out what had just happened.

* * * *

The lights of London burned brightly against the midnight sky as two men drew near the tournament ground, one leading a great battle horse. They spoke little as they looked over the ground, mentally noticing unevenness and pits that a horse’s hooves might catch in.

“That stand over there is where Relena where be. Before you begin the joust you need to get a favor from her, something of hers she can give you. The knights do that so that their winnings honor their chosen ladies. It’ll bring you luck.” One man said, looking over the tourney ground.

“I don’t need luck,” his companion answered, flatly.

“But you don’t know who your fighting. It could be any of the three that attacked Relena on the road. I would say it probably won’t be Alwain, he’s too impersonal to get involved in this. It will be either John or Hugh. John has more strength but Hugh depends on his speed. Both are seasoned jousters.”

“I will not fail her, Caleb.”

A pause.

“I know, my friend, but it is up to God now. Everything will be decided at dawn.”

“Yes...at dawn....”

Relena...

tbc...

* * * *