Right now I'm guessing there will be 3 more chapters, for a total of 18, but there could be more depending on how indepth I get. Thanks for sticking with me through it all! *hugs*Berry
* * * *
The tower rose from the castle with a grace and beauty unmatched by the surrounding scenery. It glowed almost golden in the dim light as if it had absorbed all the sunlight during the day hours and was now releasing it to make the moon jealous. At the highest point, he could faintly make out a dark recess, darker even than the surrounding night. It was a window and it was the only outside entrance into the tower room, completely inaccessible from the ground if one only gave it a cursory glance. But Trowa had been watching the tower for a good hour, his jaw set and mind quiet as a plan began to form. He knew his companions were getting restless with the long wait but it was necessary. There could be no mistakes this night.
Slightly behind him, Hilde shifted in her crouched position, trying to get the blood flowing back to limbs that had fallen asleep from the awkward pose. She was anxious and excited, he could tell by the sparkle in her dark eyes and the way she could not sit still. She wanted to prove herself and tonight she would get the chance, but he could not quell the knot of concern in his stomach. She was too young. It was funny really, how he had never thought it before, when she was a still a boy to him, but now that she was a girl, everything about her had changed. She suddenly seemed too innocent to be an outlaw and he found himself wanting to keep her shielded. She had been with them for a long time, he trusted her, but now she had become somewhat of a little sister to him and the price of her welfare had doubled. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her in the confusion they were sure to cause, to either of them, actually. Heaven knew that if Relena came back with so much as a scratch his life would be forfeit to Heero?s sword.
The golden-haired lady was concealed in the bushes a few feet away, a glint of sunlit hair giving away her position. She had insisted on coming, Catherine was her closest friend, but he had not agreed with her at first. Heero wanted her back at Peacecraft Manor before sunrise and she had agreed, saying she would leave Newark the moment she knew Catherine was safe. Heero, to say the least, had not been pleased but he had let her go, warning Trowa without words that if Relena got hurt he might as well not come back at all. His midnight blue glare had made that clear enough. Needless to say, Trowa now felt a great deal of pressure for everything to go right. He just wanted his sister out of that tower and safe, preferably where he could see her at all times.
Catherine.
How long had it been since he had seen her last? He could not even remember, the memory fuzzy and indistinct. How odd that he could remember very well the circumstances that had caused him to leave her, vanishing into the trees without a trace, never to return. Until now.
He had been out in the countryside, riding one of his father?s hunters, working out the stallion?s gait. He had been nearing a meadow pond to let the animal drink when he had heard the cries. Frantic splashes had come from the water and gurgling shouts for help had pulled him to the edge of pond, eyes wide. It was a small girl and she was drowning. Her head had sunk beneath the surface and he had not hesitated, even to shed his outer jacket. Instead, he had dived in, searching for a small hand in the gloomy darkness. By the time he had carried her slight weight to the grass, exhausted, she wasn?t breathing and he was helpless. He had turned her on her side and slapped the space between her lungs, hoping she would cough up the water she had inevitably swallowed.
The miracle had not occurred.
The child remained unmoving. She had died in his arms.
He could remember her cold skin clearly, the blueness of her lips, her wet hair between his fingers, and at that moment everything had become crystal clear. It was amazing really, how sharp everything seemed when you witnessed death for the first time. He had sat there, by the pond, completely numb, his eyes unseeing. A boy, out playing with his hound had found him and rushed back to tell his father. Apparently, from a child?s limited perspective, it had looked like he had killed her. Even in his detached state he could hear the hooves of the Sheriff?s horses, a horn sounding in the air. They were coming for him.
Without thinking, he had left her there, awaiting discovery by the Sheriff?s men. The horn had sounded again by the time he got to his horse and then he was off, racing through the countryside. Racing away from death and his own damnation. From that moment on, with the first step of his stallion, he had become a wanted man, unable to return home ever again.
Catherine.
What would she think of him? Would she hate him for abandoning her? He wouldn?t blame her, and he would leave her again, if she wanted it, but part of him would die. Her rejection would be the final blow to his already meaningless existence. He didn?t know what he would do if he looked into her silver eyes and found only accusation. He had the faint notion that it would kill him.
?Trowa,? Relena?s soft voice drifted to him from the darkness. She said nothing more, having got his attention and he nodded absently, knowing they were running out of time. It was now or never.
In complete silence, he stood and took out a heavy coiled rope from the satchel at his feet and looped it over his shoulder, glancing back Hilde and Relena, who straightened from their crouches instantly. He made a forward motion with his free hand and, together, the trio of made their way across his father?s lawn, keeping low in the shadows and moving with little sound. The tower that they were headed for served as a corner to the perimeter wall, perfect since it would spare them from having to infiltrate the castle itself. They reached the base of it without incident, the two women notching arrows to their bow strings, prepared to protect him as he ascended. He let the rope slip from his shoulder and gripped the end just under the three-pronged steel anchor. Letting out some slack, he began to twirl the rope, swinging the anchor in an ever widening circle. Hilde and Relena backed away to give him room and when he thought he had enough momentum, he released it, sending the anchor flying upwards to clatter against the tower window. He released the breath he had been holding and tugged on the rope. It stayed steady. It was time.
He glanced back at Relena as he swung himself up, and she gave him a nod, her bow tilted and raised in a defensive posture. He nodded back but for a moment, he wished Heero or Duo had come with them. Trowa was uneasy about leaving the two girls by themselves incase there was trouble, but Heero had had plans to go to Nottingham and Duo was making himself scarce, apparently still angry with Hilde. So it was only the three of them, and that would have to do. Relena and Hilde could look out for themselves, Relena especially having become quite good with her bow. He would have to believe that they would be alright while he was gone.
Hand over hand, he began to climb, the ascent rather easy as he was in good shape. The descent would be another matter entirely but he would worry about that when the time came. For now, getting to Catherine was all that mattered. Cool anger fueled his strength as he thought of his sister, imprisoning herself to avoid a man he had heard a great many things about. All of them sinister. Hilde had told him what she knew and her testimony alone had been enough to give him chills. This Baron Gent was under suspicion of murder and yet, he walked free, while people like Hilde lived in hiding, the only justice they could ask of life.
It was apparent to him now that justice no longer reigned in Nottingham.
He reached the window ledge without breaking a sweat and pulled himself up, swinging his legs over the rim and dropping to the tower floor with ease. The darkness in the room was complete, but his night vision was ready and he did not have to squint in order to see Catherine standing near the door, her back pressed against he wall, obviously frightened. Of him.
?If you?re one of the baron?s men, I won?t go without a fight,? she said, her voice trembling only slightly. He felt a rush of pride for her. ?I?d rather throw myself out that window than marry him.?
He lifted his hands in a peaceful gesture, taking exactly one step towards her. He had to struggle to find his own voice. ?I?d rather you not kill yourself, Catherine. I came a very long way to save you and Relena would never forgive me if I went back without you.?
His sister gave an odd sort of gasp and clasped her hands over her mouth, her gray eyes wide with shock. He moved forward again, hands dropping to his side as he neared her, stopping only a foot away. He could see her clearly now and what he saw made him wish he had brought a weapon. Her hair and dress were bedraggled, dark circles under her luminous eyes, her face pale with too little nourishment and sleep. Still, even with all this, she was the most beautiful thing he had seen in a long time.
?Catherine,? he said quietly and she sobbed aloud. For an instant, he thought she would turn away from him and his heart was prepared to break, but then she threw herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind.
?Trowa,? she whispered and the moment she said his name, his heart mended itself back together. He slipped his arms around her waist hesitantly, afraid almost that if he touched her she wouldn?t be real anymore. ?I can?t believe it. Is it really you or is this just a dream??
His eyes closed briefly. ?It?s me,? he affirmed and she pulled back slightly, trying to see his face. Her fingers rested against his temples as their eyes met.
?You?re here,? she breathed and tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. His chest hurt to see them. She opened her mouth to say more but the words stuck in her throat and she simply buried her face in his shirt, her tears dampening the fabric. He rested his head on top of hers and held her tightly, trying to comfort her, and maybe himself too. It had been long since he had allowed himself to feel comforted.
Unfortunately, the moment was short lived. Outside, a strange whistle caught his ears and he lifted his head, instantly alert. It took a special arrow to make a sound like that, one with small holes in the shaft that made eerie music when it was fired. Only Relena had had a warning arrow in her quiver, which meant?
?We have to go,? he told Catherine, even as the tower door shuddered with a terrific blow from the outside. His sister stiffened in his arms.
?The Baron,? she whispered and he squeezed her arm.
?Come on.?
He pulled her over to window and looked down, finding Hilde and Relena below, bow strings pulled taunt, their arrows aimed high towards the perimeter wall at something he couldn?t see. He looked back at Catherine. The tower door shook again. ?We?ve got to climb down. You?ll be safe as long as you hold on to me.?
Catherine looked at him with big eyes. ?Trowa??
?You can do it, Catherine, now come on.?
She didn?t try to argue again and simply curled her arms around his neck as he instructed, holding herself tight against. Trowa took a breath and gripped the rope tightly, praying to a God he hardly believed in that he was strong enough to hold them both. Before he could think about it much, he swung them out, the wind of their movement rustling Catherine?s skirts. Their weight made the rope slip through his fingers, causing Catherine to scream as they zipped down five feet, his palms burning as he finally managed to stop their sudden descent. Sweat beaded his brow as his muscles were flexed to their tightest, his hands holding a death grip on the rope. He couldn?t let them fall again for he was sure his arms did not have enough strength to stop them a second time. Catherine was breathing shallowly against him but she seemed to be alright so he began their descent again, slowly putting one hand beneath the other, their combined weight slowed by his feet against the rope.
By the time he reached the ground he was pretty sure he wouldn?t be able to use a bow for a couple days, his arms were so strained. Catherine released him when her feet hit the dirt and he took a deep breath, realizing the hardest part was over. Now they only needed to get out of there.
Relena and Hilde were a few yards away and it took him a few seconds to realize they were shooting. His eyes looked up to find their targets. Guards on the wall, all armed with crossbows, and they were using them very well. Hilde shouted at him.
?Run!? she cried, moving even as she fired, making herself a harder target. Relena was right behind her. ?We?ll cover you. Go!? Trowa didn?t stop to think. He grabbed Catherine?s hand and ran, pulling her after him as they raced behind Relena and Hilde?s fire line. They followed directly after and soon all of them were concealed within the trees, the Baron?s angry guards shouting after them.
?Is everyone alright?? he asked, looking them all over for any obvious wounds. Relena and Catherine nodded immediately but Hilde grimaced.
?I got nicked,? she said, her palms pressed hard against her thigh, there was blood on the fabric of her breeches but it looked light. ?It?s not too bad. A shallow cut, I think.? She looked up, a faint smile flickering across her face. ?Hello, Catherine.?
Relena straightened, silver tears of joy in her lashes. ?Catherine,? she said, and the two women flew into each other?s arms, crying and laughing softly in turns. Trowa half-smiled watching them and helped Hilde bind her leg as the two friends got reacquainted. By the time they were ready to head back to the camp, the moon was just over the horizon, leaving Relena little time to return to her manor.
?I wish I didn?t have to go,? she said wistfully, ?but I must hurry if I?m to beat my brother back home.? She hugged Catherine and Hilde once more and kissed Trowa lightly on the cheek. ?Take care of yourselves.? She squeezed his arm and he knew the message was also for Heero. ?I will return when I can.? And then she was gone, the waving branches of the brush the only sign that she had been there. Trowa turned his emerald gaze to the two remaining women, his weariness evident in his voice.
?Let?s go home,? he said and they nodded.
The trees welcomed them.
* * * *
Heero led his stolen horse through the village of Locksley, following the stolen wagon Duo was driving just ahead, pulled by another set of horses that didn?t belong to them. The fact that they belonged to the Sheriff, though, made it all worthwhile. On the back of the wagon, Sally and Wufei handed bundles of food and supplies to the crowd that followed them, laughing and shouting their thanks in turn. Many of the villagers called to him as he passed, knowing instinctively who he was by the full quiver of arrows on his back and the bow slung over his saddle. The Sherwood bandit, Heero, they shouted, praising him for the small bags of money that made their way out of the wagon along with the food. The people here in Locksley were starving, their cattle confiscated by Nottingham because they would not tell the whereabouts of the forest outlaws. Locksley had protected them and so, he in turn, gave back to them.
They were his now.
A village wife waved tearfully at him, holding the feet of a good sized chicken. She would be able to feed her children now. A young boy ran through the street, holding a toy boy and shouting imaginary arrows. A young maiden actually came right up to him and kissed him quickly before running away, cheeks aflame. Heero could only blink after her, startled. Duo laughed and looked back at him from his wagon seat.
?You?d better be glad Relena?s not here. She?s getting pretty good with those arrows of hers. She wouldn?t miss you from this distance.?
Heero glared at him which only caused the monk to laugh good naturedly. For some reason he could not get the mental image of a Heero pin cushion out of his head with Relena standing by, looking smug.
It did not take much to make the villagers happy. The outlaws? gifts brought hope against the Sheriff?s tyranny and that was all they needed. And, for now, it was enough for Heero too.
For now.
* * * *
Quatre tried to move soundlessly through the forest, but the fact was, he wasn?t very good at it. His harp was an awkward bundle on his back and it often threw him off balance at the worst times. After while, he gave up, and contented himself with walking with the noise of a herd of cattle. It didn?t matter anyway, he didn?t have much farther to go.
Duo?s cottage came into view slowly, its vine covered walls making it hard to see even to Quatre?s sharpened eyesight. The minstrel had come for some medical supplies that the camp was running out of, Duo having told him what they needed. The place was deserted, of course, so Quatre walked right in, never suspecting what awaited him.
There was a brief shout of ?Now!? before Quatre was tackled to the floor, his harp digging sharply into his back. Before he even knew what was happening, a gag had been shoved in his mouth and his hands were tied behind his back, his harp on the floor, crushed. He stared at it, feeling as if a part of him had been destroyed, and when his sea-blue eyes found his captor?s, he lunged forward against the hands that held him, abruptly as angry as he had ever been in his life.
?You!? he managed around the cloth in his mouth, the single word holding all his scorn and anger. A torch flared in the darkness and the orange flames painted Guy of Gisbourne?s face with unholy shadows. The Sheriff?s cousin gave a brief smile before abruptly punching Quatre in the stomach as hard as he could. Air rushed out of Quatre?s lungs and he doubled over, momentarily blinded by pain and choking on his gag.
?That was for Miss Dorothy,? Gisbourne said calmly, massaging his knuckles. The men holding Quatre suddenly released him and backed away, laughing softly as Gisbourne took a step forward, looming over the helpless minstrel.
He grinned suddenly as Quatre looked up, his face determined despite the fact that he knew what was coming.
?But don?t worry,? Gisbourne said, ?they?ll be plenty more just for me.?
TBC?
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Gold Scribbles
http://berrygold.tripod.com
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Goldberry on 2002-07-11 16:53 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Goldberry on 2002-07-11 19:35 ]</font>
