All Along the Watchtower 13/?

[Goldberry]

Hiya! ^_^ Sorry it's been awhile. This chapter hated me and probably still does. Humph, a great show of gratitude,ne? Oh well, we are nearing the end, so I hope you enjoy! *hugs*

Berry



?You took me seriously.?

Heero?s quiet voice made Trowa lift his head, one emerald eye focusing on the newest outlaw?s profile. Heero was seated at the base of tree, his back against the bark, his face tired and painful to look at. One cobalt eye was swollen shut, the skin puffy and red. Every so often he would press a cold cloth against it when Relena threw him a particularly concerned glance. Still, it was not his worst injury. His arm seemed to have vexed Duo the most. The monk had bandaged it, concluding that it was not broken, but that it had simply taken a terrific beating. As a result, he had a fractured wrist from trying to block blows. He would not be able to hold a weapon for awhile except, perhaps, a light dagger. His ribs were wrapped as well but they had only been bruised. They would heal faster than the rest of him.

Next to him sat Relena, a puddle of skirts, her expression revealing her worry for her supposed ?kidnapper?. She was calm now, a stark contrast to the raging energy she had exhibited the other day. It was by her will alone they had gotten Heero back and the knight knew it. Every glance, every touch that found its way to her was filled with an emotion that Trowa had only felt long ago and never since. He was too polite to say it out loud but he knew their love could be dangerous. Heero was an outlaw now, hunted for a crime he didn?t commit, just as he was. Full circle, to say the least.

?Your plans were specific. The best way is always the most direct.?

Heero nodded and tilted his head up, taking in the sight of the tree house high in the branches. It was connected to others just like it by swinging wooden walkways suspended in midair. On the ground, more of the same houses had been composes of wood and thatch, humble huts that housed weapons and food and more outlaws than Trowa could have believed existed. The Sheriff had been busy while Heero lay unconscious, recovering. He had burned many villages, accusing the citizens of harboring the outlaw know as Heero of the Hood, a villain that had angered the Sheriff beyond reason. A man to be feared. The villagers, now homeless, had wandered into Sherwood, searching for the group of outlaws rumored to be hidden there, and they had found them. Upon seeing the wounded Heero and hearing his innocence proclaimed from the lips of one of their own, they had asked to stay, becoming part of Heero?s master plan, albeit unknowingly. They had chosen their side in a war fought between two central figures. Heero and the Sheriff. Trowa could see that easily. He did not illusion himself with thoughts that it was he that lead their ragtag group. No, that position was for Heero, Trowa had merely been awaiting his arrival. Waiting for now.

?They can fight?? Heero asked, bring his one-eyed gaze back down to Trowa.

?They are learning. Wufei and Sally have been giving lessons.? A sudden strain of harp music interrupted the rest of his words, and the trio turned their heads, a faint smile appearing on Relena?s lips. Quatre was sitting by a small fire at the edge of camp, playing his harp without attention to who stopped to listen. He was playing completely for himself, though Trowa knew the soothing music helped to ease tension. It kept the men merry.

?Duo and Harry are keeping watch, in case any of the villagers were followed,? Trowa continued after a moment, ?Besides that, our forest city is secure.?

Heero nodded, pressing the cloth against his eye again, his good eye closing briefly against the pain he didn?t vocalize. Relena saw it and leaned forward, a slender hand resting on her love?s shoulder. She didn?t say anything but Trowa took her hint and stood, nodding down at her respectfully.

?I?d better make the rounds.? He looked to Heero, ?Rest well. We can talk more in the morning.? He left them then, his mind already on plans and strategies while his heart ached with a familiar loss. He shut it away, as he always did. Now was not the time. War was on the horizon. If they won, only then could he let himself see Catherine?s face again.

* * * *

Relena touched the cold cloth Heero held to his eye with light fingertips. ?You need to rest, Heero,? she said softly, as her hand dropped to his bandaged arm. Heero nodded once, a testament to his weariness that he agreed so easily. He took his palm away from his eyes and looked at her, a tender expression stealing over his features. She smiled slightly at the sight of it, feeling a warmth creep through her. She had been afraid he would turn from her, pretend the night they had shared had never happened. Instead, he seemed to have opened to her, his feelings easy to read if one knew where to look, and she did. It was strange, really, this newfound closeness. She wanted to be with him, by his side, every moment possible. She ached with every one of his hurts and found herself doing anything to make him alright again. Her reward was the tender looks and gentle caresses he graced her with when they were alone.

Wouldn?t her brother be appalled if he could see her now?

She almost laughed at the thought. It was against every rule for her to want him like this, but she did and, almost, she could see Dorothy?s point. Why pretend she didn?t love Heero because society said it was wrong if they weren?t courting? She had already given herself to him and she knew she would do it again if given the chance. So, for the first time, she knew exactly what Dorothy felt. Of course, the Sheriff?s daughter had not been in love with Quatre, but Relena knew she had just wanted to feel?alive. To feel anything for an unattached woman was a rarity. Now she knew how it was to feel everything at once, in his arms.

She stood smoothly, brushing leaves off her skirts and helping Heero to rise, his bad arm around her shoulders as they made their way over the short distant to the hut that had been erected especially for them. It was on the ground since Heero could not climb the rope ladder up to a tree house and she wouldn?t have dared in a dress. Which reminded her, she needed to talk to Sally about getting some new clothes?

They entered the hut, Relena closing the door behind them as Heero made his way alone to the bed. There were two separate rooms, one for meetings and greeting visitors, the other obviously a bedroom. One bedroom, and Relena blushed, realizing that all the outlaws knew of her and Heero?s relationship. How, she didn?t pretend to guess. Well, perhaps they had been a bit obvious.

Without touching his clothes, Heero laid himself down, a soundless sigh of relief escaping him. Her brow furrowing, she went to his side, her fingers touching the silky strands of his dark hair. ?Do you need anything??

He nodded.

?What??

?You,? he said and lifted his good arm, beckoning her. She blushed and smiled, crawling in beside him, adjusting herself in the crook of his arm so as not to hurt his ribs. It was so new, this intimacy, and so welcome. She closed her eyes feeling Heero run his hand through her hair. She kissed the back of his hand when it brushed her cheek. She felt Heero stiffen and she looked up, afraid she had done something wrong. Instead, she found frustration glittering in a single blue eye.

?Forgive me, Relena,? he said, somewhat roughly, ?I would love you all night but?? He raised his right arm, the bandage obvious through his shirt sleeve, ??I can?t even hold you.? There was an odd tone in his voice, and it was a moment before she could put a name to it. Helplessness. Heero hated to be helpless, she knew he had felt it at the moment of her father?s death and it had eaten away at him every since.

She leaned up on one elbow and kissed him gently. ?Don?t worry, Heero, there will be plenty more nights for us,? she whispered against his lips. He relaxed enough with her next kiss to respond back. ?Besides, you will need all your strength for tomorrow.? He didn?t answer, simply curved his good hand around her neck, holding her in place as their kiss deepened.

* * * *

Heero lay awake, his one working arm curled around Relena?s waist as she slept quietly next to him. His gaze was directed at the ceiling, his thoughts far away from the silent forest village he had helped create.

<i>Soon</i>, his inner voice told him.

Yes, soon. Tomorrow, in fact, would be the day he declared war on the Sheriff of Nottingham. It would be small at first, this battle, mere skirmishes, but at the end, the Sheriff would realize the errors of his ways. Nottingham would belong to the king once again. He would see to it.

But he would need help.

He turned his head to watch her breathe, golden strands of hair turning silver in the moonlight through the open window. She would want to stay. She would want to help him in this, but he could not allow it. She wasn?t an outlaw, and though her reputation was beyond repair, she still had family that loved her. Her brother and his wife would arrive at the Peacecraft Manor any day, and she would need to be there to meet them. He would have to send her away.

<i>Soon</i>, Peter?s voice whispered.

Yes, soon. When Relena was back at home safely, Trowa would help him annoy the Sheriff. There were still villages out there, under persecution, though the Sheriff dared not fire them. He needed someone to pay taxes.

Taxes?

Perhaps that was the way to go about it. The villagers needed money, and the Sheriff had plenty. And wasn?t the road that cut through Sherwood a tax route to London? If so, it would be the perfect solution to spread the rumors of the devious outlaw, Heero, and his men.

Briefly, an image of his father appeared before him. The Earl had probably heard about his son?s so-called kidnapping of a highborn lady by now. In fact, Heero was sure the Earl was close to disinheriting him in order to wash his hands clean of the whole mess. Wasn?t it odd that just a week ago he was being welcomed home as a war hero, and now he was being hunted by the law? If Heero could have laughed without his ribs aching, he would have. There was no time to explain things to his father, he doubted the old man would listen anyway. No, he had to think of the people of England now, and how best to save them from the enemy within.

* * * *

Relena rose early the next morning, pulling herself reluctantly out of Heero?s embrace. She left him sleeping soundly, hoping that he slept for a few more hours at least. His body needed to rest if he was to carry out these grand plans of his.

She exited their hut quietly, breathing in the fresh dawn air with relish. Sherwood was beautiful at this time of the day, everything glittering with dew drops. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Trowa jump down from a rope ladder that was attached to one of the watchtowers. Well, watch trees she should say. Heero had designed them and they looked sort of like a ship?s crow?s nest, only built around the trunk of a tree. They were manned at all times, the watchmen taking shifts, and it appeared that Trowa had just finished his.

?Trowa,? she called to him. He turned, noticed her, and began making his way towards her. She needed to talk to him and she wasn?t about to let him slip away again. For days he had been avoiding her, seeing in her eyes the knowledge of his past. He didn?t want to talk about it, that was obvious, but she didn?t care. He was going to hear her out, for Catherine?s sake.

Unfortunately, fate was against her. Trowa was about halfway to her when there was a loud <i>snap!</i> like a tree branch had broken. Startled, Relena looked up at the watchtower in time to hear a cry of pain, followed seconds later by one of outrage. Trowa had pivoted on his foot, his bow in his hands, his fingers reaching back for an arrow as if he expected trouble. The ladder to the watchtower quivered and then Duo appeared, climbing down it with furious steps. Right behind him was Harry, the boy?s shirt rent down the front which was covered in blood, one hand trying to keep the torn fabric closed. Suddenly frightened, Relena hurried forward, Trowa by her side as Duo reached the ground, shaking free of the ladder with a muttered oath.

?What happened?,? Relena asked, holding the ladder steady as Harry made his way down. Duo ignored her, opting to turn back to look up at Harry, his violet eyes dark with anger.

?I can?t believe this!,? he raged, ?All this time? Did you think you could hide <i>those</i> forever??

Harry looked down at the monk, fury in his own eyes. ?What was I supposed to do, Duo? In case you haven?t noticed, this camp is made up of men! It?s not exactly a place for a girl to go running around in!?

Relena blinked. Girl? Harry was a?girl?

?You are supposed to tell the truth! I wouldn?t have let anything happened to you!? He bit down on his next words and turned away, his braid swinging like the tail of an angry cat. ?You deal with her, my lady,? he said to Relena, ?I can?t.? And he walked away, silently furious.

Relena turned her gaze to Harry, watching as the?young girl turned to meet her look. Instead of speaking, she simply climbed down to the ground and stood patiently, her head bowed. Relena glanced briefly at Trowa and he nodded and left, following Duo?s path of escape.

?Harry, if you don?t mind, I?d like to make sure you are alright,? she said gently, motioning to the bloody shirt. Harry looked up finally, navy eyes filled with a girl?s tears.

?My name?s Hilde,? she said, her voice strong.

Relena nodded, ?Hilde, let?s find you some new clothes.?

* * * *

?It was my fault,? Hilde said later, as she sat in the meeting room just outside of the bedroom where Heero still slept. Relena had cleaned and bandaged the ragged cut on the girl?s chest and bound it with cloth. It was a shallow wound and would heal very quickly. ?I was leaning over the railing of the watchtower and it broke. The broken end of it tore my shirt as I began to fall and I cried out. Duo caught me before I went completely over but?? She suddenly blushed, ?..well, he <i>saw</i>. I don?t blame him for being angry, but I honestly thought it was the only way. By the time you came along, everyone thought I was a boy named Harry so I couldn?t reveal myself then.? Hilde lowed her head. ?I suppose he?ll have me sent away.?

Relena shook her head and offered the girl a new shirt. ?Of course he won?t send you away. If you disguised yourself as a boy just to remain here, there must be a good reason you ran away from home. No one will send you back.?


Hilde slipped into her clean clothes. ?My father was a knight in the war. He got killed early on and I become a ward of the Crown, since I have no other family. I was supposed to be married off to Baron Gent, a man who owned a great deal of land but has little heart. I heard rumors that he beat his former wife and killed her when he found her in the bed of another man.? Hilde shook her head. ?Let?s just say I wasn?t exactly eager to jump into his arm?s so I fled. I?m an outlaw now, betrayer to the Crown. Oh, I suppose I could go back and say I was kidnapped or something, but I left that life behind for a reason. My home is here now. ? Her gaze drifted to Relena. ?Can you understand that??

?I can,? Relena replied softly. Hilde smiled.

?Good. I?ve wanted to talk to you before this, but I was afraid you would figure out my secret. Woman?s intuition perhaps.? She shrugged, ?Anyway, it?s good to be myself again. Although,? she paused thoughtfully, ?I think that harpist? Quatre?? knew I was a woman from the beginning. When I caught him spying outside Duo?s cottage, he gave me an odd look and a smile. He never said anything though, so if he did, he was very kind not to reveal me.?

?He is a very kind man,? Relena affirmed, glancing at the window. Trowa was waiting outside. ?Well, do you think you can face everyone?? Hilde took a shaky breath and ran a hand through her short, dark hair. It had once been down to her waist, she had told Relena, but she had been forced to shear it off in order to take on the persona of a boy.

?I guess I have no choice,? the girl replied, squaring her shoulders. Relena smiled reassuringly.

?It will be alright. You?ll see.?

Hilde tried to smile. ?I hope you?re right.?

* * * *

Catherine tripped, her skirts tangled in her legs, and she fell heavily on the stairs, the edges cutting into her knees. She grunted and looked back, fear painted clearly on her face. She could hear <i>him</i> on the stairs, his hurrying steps coming ever closer. He couldn?t catch her!

?Get up, Catherine!? She told herself and her body moved, beginning to climb the steps rapidly again, her skirts pulled up well above her ankles as she ascended the tower. She could hear her father calling from below, shouting for her to come back. She could not. <i>He</i> was behind her! Didn?t her father know what would happen if he caught her? She had to hurry, he was so close?

By the time the door of the tower room came into view, he was right behind her, his hand reaching out to grab at her dress. The hem of it ripped in his fingers but she cried out and flung herself into the room, slamming the door in place with all her might, the cross bolt falling into its groove. She was safe.

A shuddering sob escaped her as she realized this and she collapsed on the cold floor, blows raining on the oak door that held fast. He would never get inside. Never. His shouts and curses would fall on deaf ears. She was safe.

Raising her head weakly, she looked around at the bare room. There was nothing in it, for this room had no use. It held only a window that let her glimpse the tops of the trees far below. She was alone, and safe.

?So,? she said aloud, her voice trembling, ?this is my prison.?

[blackrose]

Ack! Who's after Catherine?

And NOOOOOO! Heero, you can't send RELENA away! Gah! Stupid boy, what is he thinking? Yuy, you NEED her!

Good to see Hilde. And poor Trowa needs love. Well, Barton, here's news for you - you have to go rescue her!!!!

And let the battles begin!

~Rose

[Hitomi Lei]

What's happeneing to Catherine?!? I must know!!!!!!

[Tsukiyo]

Well, for a shorter chapter it certainly had a lot in it. Fantastic as usual. That horrid Sheriff deserves everything that is coming to him. I must say though, that I have been eagerly awaiting the discovery that Harry was in fact Hilde. I figured she couldn't be too far from Duo.
I enjoyed the Heero/Relena moments in this one. Though Heero comes up with the stupidest things in the world to do for "Relena's own good". The girl has obviously willingly and knowingly sacrificed everything for him. Sending her away is a slap in the face! He's just being dumb!
Poor Catherine! I don't know what is happening to her but I feel bad for her. And Trowa.
Ok, Ok, in summary, it's another great chapter to a great fic! Keep posting!!

~Tsukiyo

[Angeldreams]

Yea! We must have been good this week! Both this fic and Missing posted. (Angel runs around happily.)

Good chapter Berry! Only a couple more chapters! I dont' know if I'm disappointed that it will not be longer, or more excited b/c that means that there will be more 1xR action soon. When will you post your new fic?

I know, I know, I'm greedy fanfic reader....

Angel