Wayward Travelers-Chapter 1

[luvspook]

Disclaimer: I own it, I own them all! The characters…the storylines…they’re mine I tell you! ALL MINE!!!! Hahahahahahaha! **the insane laughter dies out as men in white coats arrive to carry me away**

Author’s Notes: Well, this should prove to be a long and interesting journey, but I hope you’re willing to stick it out! If you made it through the prologue and you’re still reading-YAY! I can only hope that means you are enjoying it. A special thanks going out to Stella, for volunteering to wade through this tangled web as my beta-reader. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, hon! You are the greatest!!! **big hugs** To all of you, thanks in advance, and enjoy!



Wayward Travelers

by Luvspook


Chapter 1: Desperate Times-A Call to Duty



The first rays of the sun had scarcely graced the moor when the thunder of hooves crashed through the waking fields, kicking up the last traces of morning’s dew where it still clung stubbornly to the willowy grasses. They beat a steady rhythm against the mist-filled air, racing in time with the lone rider’s heart. Relena Peacecraft, the youngest child and only daughter of the King of Carthington, had abandoned the guarded confines of her father’s palace while the world still slumbered in the sapphire haze that marked the hours just before dawn. She slipped out in secret, searching for momentary release from the thick, gray castle walls, by taking a ride on her favorite horse.

Ceric’s powerful hooves rumbled over the rolling countryside, carelessly bounding through the thick, green foliage at a gallop, effortlessly carrying Relena along. The wind rushed against her slender form, causing the billowing hood of her cloak to slip down, catching her cascading golden locks and sweeping them upward with each stride of the magnificent Arabian stallion. Her melodious laughter flitted through the flowering meadow like a busy honey bee as Ceric quickened his pace, gliding through the sparse trees of a nearby orchard to the gravel-lined stream on the opposite side. The waves rolled up to splash around her ankles as Ceric frolicked in the shallow water, neighing with the playfulness of a child taking its first bath. Rarely having such an opportunity to act of her own accord, Relena slid from the animal’s back, dropping into the sparkling clear liquid without thought or concern about the appropriateness of such an action.

Scrambling her way up the steep embankment, she flopped down in the soft, lush grass, taking in the delicate aroma of wildflowers and the sweet songs of the birds chirping overhead. She envied their freedom-and that of all the creatures, human or otherwise, living the carefree life that existed outside the city walls. Looking to the seemingly endless blue skies above, she couldn’t help but wonder if such a life could ever exist for her…





The cool beauty and peaceful fancy of the morning faded into the harsh reality of the day as Relena guided Ceric on the winding path leading back to the castle grounds. Cantering through the stable doors, with cheeks still painted red by the stinging winds of the open countryside, she froze, her wide eyes meeting the site of an unfamiliar young man tending to an impressive black stallion, the color of a starless sky at midnight. His hair, a shade of the richest mahogany, was disheveled and unruly, seemingly left in such a manner in order to hide his unquestionably handsome features. He was dressed plainly in a sleeveless, slate gray-colored tunic, which hung loosely against his thin, but muscular, frame.

A steely, cobalt blue gaze returned her own before she realized that she had been staring, and she felt the involuntary rush of embarrassment flooding her already rosy features. In an effort to conceal it, she quickly dismounted, shrugging off her riding cloak without turning to face him.

"Stable boy, see to it that my horse is well fed and watered. He is to have only the freshest sweet carrots and a salt lick as a treat…" She ordered, caressing the animal’s dampened fur and stealing a quick glance behind her.

The handsome young man lowered his head in a swift, acknowledging motion, though he said nothing. His calloused fingers brushed against her own as he plucked the reins from her delicate hands, his eyes quick to capture her own. She stood motionless, unable to look away as the chocolate brown head bowed once again, and he turned to lead Ceric away.

Relena had never seen anyone quite like him. He had the body of a boy her own age, but the glint in his eyes and the dark expression he wore seemed more befitting of a much older man, one who had seen the blacker side of human nature-world weary, but strong and dangerous at the same time. She wanted to call out to him, to ask his name…

"Where is my daughter?"

Relena watched the boy and horse disappear around the corner, as she flattened herself against the splintery wooden panels of the stable. Her father’s voice boomed across the courtyard, echoing through the open space like an ominous storm cloud. She could hear his heavy footsteps falling against the stones near the stable’s main entrance, and darted to the doorway on the opposite side, hoping to escape unnoticed.

"I see you’ve finally returned from your ride, my daughter…" He said, barely tendering his anger and obvious disapproval.

Relena whirled around. She should have known better than to underestimate father. He had been a renowned hunter in his time-certainly he would know how to find his own daughter.

Her eyes dropped to the ground. "Father…I…"

"How many times must I scold you before you heed my warnings, child?" He seethed, stepping closer. A light breeze picked up his now snow-white beard, moving it out of the way as he crossed his arms over his blue velvet tunic, glowering at the young girl before him. "There are far too many dangers in this kingdom for a girl of your age and status. Bandits…thieves…How can I protect you if you constantly defy my wishes?"

"You worry far too much, father." Relena replied with a sad smile, noticing her father’s angry countenance recede as she linked her arm through his. "I’ve already long passed my fifteenth birthday and yet, have seen so little of this world. Certainly a morning ride across the glen could do little harm."

"A great many evils reside within the very walls of this fair city…a great many more outside those protective walls." He explained, leading her toward the entrance to the castle’s Great Hall. "You must always be wary of those dangers, my daughter, wherever you may be."

Relena could hear the deep sorrow underlying her father’s words, and sensed in his brief hesitation, the reasons behind it. His deep tone hushed upon entering the bleary darkness of the palace corridors.

"Relena, word has traveled from our neighbors in the East…the cause of it being both unspeakable and unimaginable. I have made arrangements for you to travel to Livendale-to your brother’s stronghold in the North. To carry out this task, I have called on the services of a young knight who will serve as your escort. He will see you there safely."

"But father…" Relena protested.

The king shook his head, his motion telling his daughter that there would be no arguments. "He is young. The youngest in many years to be accepted into the knighthood, but he is both trustworthy and noble, and has given his word, so is therefore bound by his honor. You will go with him come morning, and follow his orders as you would my own."

Relena opened her mouth again to further debate the issue when she detected the whisper of footsteps approaching from behind her. It remained agape until she consciously thought to close it, her astonished eyes locked on where the young man she had mistaken for a stable-hand was standing, his head bowed respectfully, at the threshold of the Great Hall.

"You sent summons for me, King Peacecraft?" He questioned smoothly, the cadence of his voice again defying the youthful appearance of his features.

"Heero Yuy, Knight of Pembrook, I wish to introduce you to my daughter, Relena, Princess of Carthington." The king announced, gesturing for the young noble to come forward.

"Yes, we’ve already met." Heero replied, evenly, observing the subtle blush that was returning to her cheeks at his approach. Gently taking hold of her slender fingers with his own, he lifted her hand to his lips, placing a reverent kiss against her warm skin. "I’ve seen to your horse as you instructed, my lady."

Relena could feel the blood rush to her face. Had he said that just to mock her? As a princess, was she not allowed to make mistakes without them being thrown back in her face?

Her silent musings were interrupted by the sound of her father’s voice.

"Daughter, you must leave us now as we have much to discuss. Matters that…I’m afraid…don’t concern a young woman such as yourself."

"As you wish father." Relena replied, obediently moving toward the nearest exit. "I’ll set to the task of packing my things immediately."

No words passed between the two as Relena stalked from the room, rushing to the passageway her brother, Milliardo, had shown her as a child. Ducking into the crawlspace between the walls, she held her breath, anxious to hear the exchange between her father and the handsome young knight.

"…Sir, the Yuan-ti are said to be both foul and cunning." She heard Heero say, her anger subsiding at the sound of his serious, yet gentle, voice. "Though I’ve not fought them myself, I have seen with my own eyes the fate of those who have, and no mercy was shone."

"Heero Yuy, your reputation of nobility is overshadowed only by that of your gallantry. My daughter carries with her a great power…one given to her on the day of her birth, as my wife and Queen breathed her last breath upon this world. It lies dormant, ingrained in her memory and written upon her soul. When the time comes, this power will be awakened and she will vanquish those who have brought this evil upon us. I entrust her and that power to you, Heero Yuy, Knight of Pembrook, and place the future of Aergothe in your hands."

Lowering himself slowly to one knee, his eyes met the King’s with willful determination, fully accepting that any vow he would make, would be honored, even in death. "I swear upon you and your kingdom that I will protect her with my life…."







Whew! One down and let’s see…a whole lot to go! Nevertheless, I’m having a blast! And I hope you are too! I just love writing AU fics! Please let me know what you think…I’m anxious to hear from you about ideas, questions…anything? Just drop me a line. And thanks again for reading!


*hugshugshugs*

[Angelzhaloc9]

....and so the plot is set, this is amazing not unlike your other works which by the way i just reread and was just about to give up on your completing Legacies but now that you're getting to it and starting this other fanfic and all happy again.

please continue, i love how you introduced heero and relena together with that little misunderstanding on relena's behalf. if only life were filled with those innocent touches....

Halo signing off

[blackrose]

And thus Spookyboo has at last figured out how to post on the Bulletin Board.

*grins*

But YAY! New fic! And you're going to re-evaluate the angst equivalent in your other fics, right? I mean, torture the guy, make him bleed, but at LEAST give him Relena. Sheesh, after all the pain you put him through?

Heero: *nods nods* Listen to her. WAIT! WHAT AM I SAYING?
Rose: Knew you'd have to finally admit it Yuy. I'm always right.
Heero: -____-;;;

HUZZAH! FICCAGE! KNIGHTS! YAY!!!

Thanks and I'll be off to read the rest asap. ^__^

Love,
Rose

[Melville's Best Friend]

*happy sigh* I love fics like these.....*glomps luvspook* You rock! I'm off to read the next chapter!


Your friend,
Melville's Best Friend