All Along the Watchtower 9/?

[Goldberry]

Relena was terrified and doing her best not to show it. She had recognized Wufei the moment he had grabbed her and waved a dagger in her face, the Sheriff?s voice echoing loudly in her head as he ordered her release. She had not understood what was happening at first, too confused by Chang?s sudden appearance and the noise and colors of the crowd. Hadn?t the Sheriff thrown Wufei in jail? What was he doing loose?

Before she had time to do more than merely acknowledge these questions, she had been dragged into Sherwood, tree branches snatching at her skirts and hair as she was pulled roughly behind Wufei. She was almost too shocked to speak until her foot caught on a root and she tripped and fell, landing heavily on the leaf-covered forest floor with a little cry. In front of her, Wufei growled and hauled her to her feet, black eyes flashing, as he again caught her wrist and pulled her after him, all the while glancing over his shoulder for the Sheriff?s men.

?Hurry it up, woman,? he said, irritably, muttering other choice words under his breath as a branch scratched his cheek. He jerked on her wrist to make his point and she quickened her pace, warding off tree limbs and bushes with her free hand. For the first few moments of their wild flight into the woods, she had contemplated trying to escape, but had quickly put it out of her mind when she noticed the steely glint in Wufei?s eyes. His grip on her wrist was so tight she was sure she would have bruises, besides, she would not be able to make it far in her heavy skirts. Not to mention the fact that he probably did not hold her in very high regard after the fight at the banquet. She would not be surprised if he would kill her as soon as look at her.

No, she had to go with him, if only so that she could live this cursed forest alive. Sherwood it was named, she remembered dimly, for times she had run through its green-gold shadows without a care. Before the ghost stories had spread. Now, no one went into Sherwood unless they did not plan on coming back out.

Wonderful.

?Please,? she started breathlessly, ?whatever you think to gain from this---?

?Quiet!? Wufei barked, pressing his fingers painfully into her wrist. ?I will not listen to anything spoken from the mouth of the Sheriff?s Norman whore.? She paled right now to her toes, her body shaking suddenly. Irrational fury at his unjustified insult filled her belly and she gritted her teeth, wondering how she could ever have thought this man deserved to be set free.

From then on, she just let him drag her through the wooden fortress around them, trying to keep her directions straight. She had to keep her head, or all would surely be lost.

Suddenly, Wufei stopped, going absolutely still in an instant and she had to sidestep to keep from running into him. Unbalanced and becoming more frightened, she threw a wild glance at him, wondering what was going on. He stood like a startled deer, his obsidian eyes surveying the green foliage, picking at the shadows. She could see the muscles in his arms tense and he tightened his grip on her again.

?What is it?? she whispered, eyes going round. He shook her arm impatiently.

?Listen to the forest, foolish woman!? he hissed, his gaze stopping on a large oak tree not far away. She blinked and concentrated, actually trying to hear the sounds of the forest.

There were none.

?The birds,? she said softly, ?They?ve gone silent.?

?Come out,? Wufei growled, startling her. ?Stop hiding and face me.? Relena looked at him as if he were crazy. Who was he talking to?

Imagine her surprise when Heero Yuy materialized out of thin air, all deep blue eyes and windswept dark hair. His face seemed odd to her, though, and it took her a moment to figure out what was missing. Emotion. His face was a blank, impossible to read and somewhat frightening in its coldness. Here was the face of the Lionheart?s knight.

?So, it is you.? Wufei sneered at him, jerking her forward. ?Come for the girl??

?Give her to me.? Heero?s icy words raised goose bumps on her skin. Wufei laughed sarcastically.

?Why? Why does the Sheriff?s bitch mean anything to the great Lord of Huntington??

Heero?s eyes flickered and Relena grew angry. How dare he? Reacting instinctively, she stepped forward and kicked her captor hard in the shin. ?I am not the Sheriff?s bitch!? she said, hotly, and watched with satisfaction as he fell backwards, shouting in sudden pain. It was only when Heero pulled her away that she realized she had been released. He pushed her back into the cover of the trees and advanced on Chang who was getting back on his feet, his face livid.

In a move as smooth as water over stone, Heero attacked, swiping out a leg to drop Wufei to the forest floor again. He then tackled him and the two began to scuffle while she could only watch, biting her lip in suspense. What did Heero think he was doing? He was going to get hurt.

The flash of a drawn dagger made her cry out in horror and Heero leapt back as Wufei?s knife slashed the air where he had been. The two men circled each other warily now, looking for openings, darting and feinting, testing the ground. Relena was frozen where she stood, unable to take her eyes off the scene in front of her. One of them was going to get seriously hurt if something didn?t happen soon.

Almost abruptly, Wufei fell back, slipping on a rock beneath his foot. He went down hard and he saw Heero loom over him. He raised his knife and, instead of throwing it at Heero, it sliced through the air and embedded itself in Relena?s thigh. There was a moment of stunned silence between everyone there. Wufei even seemed surprised about his actions. For his part, Heero was unable to look away as, with a soft exclamation, Relena sank to the ground, blood seeping through her skirts, her face very white. She had definitely not expected for this to happen.

?Alright that?s enough.? A smooth voice said, and a man dropped from the trees with the grace of a lanky cat, landing directly in front of Relena, between her and the two combatants. Through her blurred vision, she could see that he was dressed entirely in green with a long bow and quiver on his back. He had long, light brown hair that hung over one eye, revealing the other to be as green as his cloths. He seemed very sure of himself as he locked gazes with Heero, arms at his side.

?Who are you?? Wufei blurted, still shaken by what he had done. The green man simply gave him a level look before turning away to go to Relena.

?It appears an innocent bystander has paid the price of your entrance to this forest,? he said, kneeling down in front of her. She looked into his very green eyes, vaguely wondering what was happening to her. She was so dizzy?

?The lady needs help.? The man glanced over his shoulder to Heero and Wufei, both of which seemed unable to move. ?You two will come with me. I don?t know your quarrel, nor do I care, but it has taken place within my domain, and I am now the judge of it. Your fate lies with me now.? He turned back to Relena.

?And if I do not come?? Wufei asked, warningly. The forest man did not reply, simple reached down and lifted Relena easily into his arms.

?Then you will never know if you have become a slayer of helpless women.? Wufei paled and glanced away. The green man looked to Heero. ?What of you, do you insist on resisting me??

?I go where she goes,? he said, quietly. The man nodded and whistled once, but by this time Relena was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

?Heero,? she managed to mumble, before darkness clouded her vision and she let it take her, content in its embrace.

* * * *

?She needs help,? Heero said roughly upon hearing Relena call his name. The strange man holding her glanced at him before raising his one visible eye to the tree tops in time to see two other shapes disengage themselves from the green shadows and drop to the forest floor. These two were dressed the same as the first man, both equipped with bows and various knives. One was a young boy with short black hair and bright blue eyes. He seemed almost excited while the figure next to him gave of an air of complete confidence. Surprisingly enough, the green clad figure was a woman, her hair pulled up into a feathered cap. She had a strong face and blue eyes that analyzed him carefully. She was the first to speak.

?Harry, run ahead and warn the monk. He?ll need to prepare.? The young boy nodded briskly and immediately blended back into the trees. The same woman stepped forward, his gaze going to the man who held Relena, as if waiting for a signal. Heero?s eyes narrowed.

?I am called Trowa,? the first man said, his voice inflectionless, ?This is Sally. We?re going to take this lady to a wandering monk who has a talent for herbs. He will help her.? His gaze met Heero?s. ?No more time can be wasted.? And with that, he stepped backwards into the shadow of a tree and vanished. Without hesitation, Heero followed, leaving Sally to deal with Wufei. He would not leave Relena?s side until she was safe and whole again. It was a promise to her father.

And to himself.

* * * *

Quatre watched silently as Wufei and the woman named Sally started after Heero. The woman walking with a quietness that interested Quatre. Who were these people? Where had they come from, dropping down from the branches like that? He was worried about Relena, too. She was a brave woman and she certainly did not deserve to be hurt. He had to follow them, he knew that. He owed Heero and the least he could do was try and get them both out of trouble.

So, creeping through sun and shadow, he trailed after them, never knowing that he, too, was being watched.









TBC?

[blackrose]

Hurray! Enter Trowa.... Is HE Robin Hood, then? That would indeed be a twist. ^__^

Poor Rel...You HURT her! Gah! But at least she kicked Wufein in the shins. **snickers** He deserved it. Please say that her reputation won't be ruined, and that she and Heero will be married. **pleading eyes**

Good to see more of this fic.

Love,
Rose

[Tsukiyo]

OOO!!! Getting better and Better!! this is so very enjoyable, Goldberry!! I can't wait for more!!!

~tsukiyo

[melodrama]

Hooray! *cartwheels across room* More Watchtower! My day has officially been made.
First I stumbled across your GORGEOUS Ladyhawke crossover (*sighs* god I love that movie) and now this. Almost makes getting up at five in the morning worth it....

Poor Rels! Ouch! Thank god for Trowa and crew. Tut tut.. Wufs, you've got a LOT of explaining to do.

Seriously though berry... I really do love your writing style. The imagery is beautiful, and I have no problem picturing any of the guys (or girls) in their respective roles.

I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for your next installment!

[Hitomi Lei]

Well, we have Robin Hood, the Maiden Fair, and now enter the Merry Men!! What great fun!Although I don't see Trowa as being so merry,*tries to picture Trowa danceing around* But I can see Duo doing just that *smile* hmm...But could Duo possible be the Monk? I guess I shall have to want for the answer.

[Darkwing]

Goooood! I really like as you painted out your characters. They seems so real and I love them all. Just a question. When does Duo arrive? Please, I can't wait!

[Ami Yuy]

YAY!! New chapter!

I was wondering when Robin/Trowa would come. Heh, now, where oh where is Duo?

~Ami~