All Along the Watchtower 16/?

[Goldberry]

Big thanks to everyone who reviewed, you know who you are, and you are awesome! Your support has totally helped me, and I appreciate all of you. Thanks.

This chapter is a little shorter than usual, due to a freak accident involving my right hand and the slamming of a car door. Needless to say, my fingers are bruised and sore and I'm finding writing for long periods of time rather difficult, so forgive for the length. *sniff* My hand looks like a blowfish...

A great big thank you to KMF who beta read this chapter for me and who has always supported my work! You are awesome and talented! *hugs*

On to the story!

* * * *

?You misunderstand me, my lord,? William de Grey said smoothly, watching Lucretzia seat herself in a comfortable chair. Feeling the primitive protectiveness again, Zechs moved in front of his wife, blocking the Sheriff?s view. William lifted his gaze.

?Really?? Zechs said coldly, arms firmly at his side, his voice low and dangerous. ?You hold us at sword point, order our driver to take us here, and detain us in this room, telling us we can?t leave.? Anger made ice-blue eyes flare. ?Tell me what part of all this is not forced kidnapping??

The Sheriff made a placating gesture which only served to fuel the young lord?s temper. He and Lucretiza were being held against their will in a guest room of Nottingham Castle and though it sported all the comforts the place had to offer, it was still a prison. This was reinforced by the fact that two armed guards stood outside the door, their crossed lances forbidding anyone entry, or exit.

Zechs was beyond being placated.

He was worried for Lu, who had suffered a terrible shock at the sight of a sword under her husband?s chin. She was a very strong woman, but lately she had been so much more emotional, and this situation had unnerved her more than it should have. If their child had suffered damage because of some plot of the Sheriff?s, Zechs would take his revenge with his bare hands.

He had never respected nor liked the Sheriff of Nottingham. The man had bought his station where others earned theirs and that was an act too dishonorable for a public official. Furthermore, Zech?s and William?s estranged relationship became even worse when Zechs married Lucretiza, the daughter of a minor baron in the north. William had had his eye on Lu for awhile, thinking to buy her as he had bought his position. Fortunately enough for Lucretzia, she and Zechs had been in love the moment they first saw each other and her father knew it. He gave his daughter?s hand to Zechs, who was of more stable wealth and higher position, cousin as he was to a king. William had returned to Nottingham empty handed.

Before their trip to London, Zechs had begun to notice the Sheriff?s regard for his sister. It was repulsing. And not because of the difference in their ages, older men where always marrying younger women. It revolted him because he was sure that this was William?s retribution, his revenge for being unable to claim Lucretzia. Not that Zechs would have allowed the man to court his sister even if he had had genuine feelings for her, but it made the situation worse that he could be doing it out of spite. Lu felt positive that William did have some feelings for Relena, but Zechs could not agree. William de Grey had always been a shrewd enemy and as far as the Sheriff was concerned, there was still a battle to fight.

?I?m shocked you think so low of me, my lord,? William said, folding his hands in front of him easily, completely at ease. ?I am an officer of the law.?

?And all this time I thought you deemed yourself above it,? Zechs replied, an edge to his words. William smirked.

?I would never think of holding a relation of the King?s against their will, but it is necessary for your protection,? he said, moving across the room as if in thought. Zechs watched him, his gaze frigid.

?Explain yourself,? he ordered and the Sheriff bowed mockingly.

?While you and your wife have been away, Nottingham has developed a problem. A gathering of outlaws have taken root in Sherwood Forest, harassing the good people of the city. My men have had trouble locating them and the bandits have grown more organized under new leadership.?

?I cannot pretend to understand what this has to do with us,? Zechs commented, his patience thin. He crossed his arms over his chest as the Sheriff continued.

?Why, just this, my lord. The outlaws are now under the direction of someone I think you are well acquainted with.? William paused for effect. ?Sir Heero Yuy of Huntington, son of the Earl.?

In her chair, Lucretzia stifled a gasp and leaned forward, intent. ?But that?s??

?I know,? the Sheriff replied. ?And as you must remember, Sir Heero was a childhood friend of your sister, my lord.?

For a moment, Zechs didn?t speak and Lu, who knew his moods very well, could tell he was struggling to stay calm. Strands of white-blonde hair fell into her husband?s eyes as he looked at the Sheriff and the muscles in his crossed arms tensed. ?Am I to believe,? he started softly, ?that we are being kept here because of some imaginary threat to my sister?s life??

The Sheriff was taken aback. It was not the reaction he had desired. ?But, sir, I would think that?? Zechs cut him off.

?Heero Yuy would never harm a hair on my sister?s head. Indeed, though they were friends years ago, he went on Crusade. If he has returned, he is not the same man. War changes everyone.? His gaze pinned the Sheriff to the wall. ?Now, tell me you have actual proof that Yuy intends ill towards my sister or I shall be forced to bring you before the Earl on accounts of heresy.?

The Sheriff hesitated. It had not been his intention to lie to the lord of Peacecraft. Such lies could have a way of strangling him, as too many people might refute them. Still, if it was the only way, he would have to keep Zechs and Lucretiza contained, unable to speak to anyone else. For he was sure someone would tell them he was lying.

?I had hoped to let your sister explain these events, but I guess it shall be me who enlightens you.? Zechs frowned. ?I?m afraid that while you were away, your sister was abducted.? Lucretzia gasped, her hand fluttering over her lips. ?She has been returned safely, but we have reason to believe her kidnapper was Heero Yuy.?

Zech?s jaw was clenched tightly, unable to speak. He could not believe it. Lies from the mouth of the snake, disguised with small truths to make it believable. Still, he was unable to tell what was real and what was false. Had Relena really been kidnapped? It was unthinkable for a lady of her station to be taken against her will. And by Heero Yuy, no less. He could not accept it. He needed to hear the words from Relena?s own lips, only he wished she would not speak them. He didn?t want it to be true.

As children, he had always been overprotective of her, and he knew it. She had never minded, as they were very close, and indeed, found it somewhat charming when they were older and a single glance from him could keep away any unwanted suitor. When their father had joined the Crusades, it had been his pleasure to care for her. Now that their father was dead, it was his right.

If Heero Yuy had so much as touched his sister in an unwelcome way?

?I can see this startles you,? William murmured, striding towards the door. ?You need not worry though, I will be bringing in this renegade earl-to-be. For your protection, I brought you here, so that he might not accost you the way he did your sister. With you here, Relena will feel more comfortable accepting my protection. I will bring her to you shortly.? He stepped out of the room, the guards lances crossing again behind him. ?And for her, I will see Heero of Sherwood dead one way or another.?

After William was gone, Zechs still stood in the same position, his eyes on the barred door. It was his wife?s voice that broke him out of his heavy thoughts.

?Zechs,? she said softly, and he turned to look at her. ?I don?t like being here.? She motioned towards the guards. ?I don?t like being under his power. He will use us, I saw it in his eyes.? Zechs blinked, wondering if her uneasiness came from woman?s intuition. If that was the case, he could not ignore it and comfort her.

?I agree, Lu. He wants something and its not what he said it was.? A muscle in his jaw moved. ?We cannot stay here. I want to speak to Relena, but not here, under his rules and eyes.? He glanced towards the door again. ?Are you up for a little intrigue??

Lu?s full lips curled into a smile and her eyes sparkled with mischief. ?Always, darling.?

* * * *

Relena contemplated the man before her. He was not the one she had been expecting. Instead of her brother?s tall, icily handsome physique, she was confronted with a man of gentle looks. That was not to say that her brother was harsh, but this man had a sort of elegant way about him, the manners of a gentleman in everything he said and did. It was a surprise really, she had not expected to find such things in one of the Sheriff?s men.

She had been waiting, a trifle impatiently, for the arrival of her brother, having just arrived at Peacecraft nary an hour before. She was extremely tired, the nighttime journey harrowing, but there was no time to rest. Her brother was to be expected just after dawn.

He still had not arrived, and now she knew why.

The Sheriff?s man had appeared at her door only moments ago, his smooth voice telling her manservant, Pagan, exactly who had come to call on her. Not that the saber at his side had not proclaimed it. She watched him now with a sort of resigned outlook, waiting for the inevitable words that would come from him.

He stood straight, shoulders back, one hand resting easily on the hilt of his weapon. Not an offensive move, just the hardened reflex of a soldier. His uniform was pressed neatly, the waves of his light brown hair in perfect array. He had a handsome face, though his looks were a bit too polished for her taste. His blue eyes held a strange, almost delicate, kindness when he spoke to her.

?The Sheriff requests your presence, my lady.?

Was she still a lady? She had almost forgotten. She could see her broken reputation in this man?s eyes, though it was clear he did not condemn her. A strange man, really. Any other male would have been repulsed to be in her impure presence. Why was he not?

?May I ask on what reason he wishes me to attend him?? she asked in return, trying to keep her tone civil. This soldier did not deserve her anger or pity. That was to be saved for William himself.

?I am not privy to my superior?s innermost thoughts, my lady, but I believe he wants to speak with you on an issue of your safety and that of your family?s.?

?You mean my brother,? she said, dully, realizing exactly what was going on. The man did not respond and she closed her eyes briefly. ?I will see the Sheriff.? She would see him, if only to reassure herself of her brother?s well-being, and that of Lucretzia?s.

Then she would go tell Heero.

The man bowed to her and offered his arm as they walked out to the waiting carriage, perfectly content to offer her the civility her situation no longer called for. She was grateful for his manners and later, halfway to Nottingham, she would ask his name.

He was called Treize.

* * * *

?I don?t like this,? Wufei muttered softly, standing slightly behind her, arms crossed over his chest. His black eyes were narrowed, evidence of his dark mood. She didn?t blame him, she felt exactly the same way, and the source of their discomfort was right before them.

Three chests full of gold and silver and jewels. More than even a Sheriff should have had in his possession. Sally kneeled in front of them, a frown marring her features as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing, her fingers playing with one of her twisted braids absently. Somewhere in the bright gold glitter, there was an answer to this puzzle. Heero?s plan of robbing the rich travelers of Sherwood to feed the poor people of Nottinghamshire was brilliant, but it had yielded far more than riches. A plot was forming, or already was in place. They had stumbled blindly upon it, unable to decipher the hidden meaning.

It was making Sally completely frustrated.

?This treasure has a purpose,? she said lowly, touching the Sheriff?s insignia on the lid of one chest. ?But I cannot see what it is. There is too much here to simply be taxes on its way to London.? She glanced up at Wufei, noting the tension in his shoulders. ?What can it be??

?Better to ask the Sheriff that,? Wufei growled, shifting on his feet. She held his gaze, seeing clearly his anger. In the time they had worked together, she had learned a little about him, enough for him to trust her with his true emotions. Wufei hated the Sheriff with a vengence, though, in truthfulness, his fury should have been directed at Guy of Gisbourne. The Sheriff?s cousin had raped and killed his wife, Merian, and burned down their house in a total drunken stupor. Wufei had returned home that same evening to find his love lying in a pool of her own blood, her throat slit, half buried under fallen leaves just outside the remains of their home. The scene was forever burned in Wufei?s mind, she could almost glimpse it when he looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. It?s what fueled his hatred, giving him the need for death and blood and an end to his nightmare. On the outside, he was frozen; a mountain of strength. On the inside he was brittle, ready to shatter the moment he had his revenge. For then he would have nothing else to live for.

She was not sure if he would ever forgive her, but when the moment came, she would take the choice out of his hands and make it herself.

She wasn?t quite sure why, or maybe she was just unwilling to admit it to herself.

?Heero should know about this,? Wufei continued, breaking her stare. She blinked and turned her attention back to their stolen goods.

?Yes, let us hope that he will be able to make sense of all this.?

<i>And let us also hope that he will finally put an end to all our nightmares.</i>

[Tomorrow]

Oh no. Now Lucy and Milliardo are mixed up in this whole evil plot... and Trieze? Some very interesting twists, Goldberry, and I'm very unsure of where this is heading... and I just love suspense. ^_~ Also, I'm sorry about what happened to your hand. Just let it heal and take your time... we'll still be here when you post.

It's nice to see a fic where Milliardo respects Heero for a change, because although I think he would be protective of his little sister, I believe he deeply respects Heero as a fellow warrior; you played his character perfectly.

Another wonderful chapter, and feel better. ^_^

[Tsukiyo]

Oh, Yum. This gets tastier and tastier. I love the addition of Treize into this chapter. Done perfectly with all the elegence Treize posesses. And I'm still waiting for someone to knock the Sheriff flat on his ass. ::snickers at mental image of Relena decking the Sheriff:: I really can't wait for the next chapter.

~Tsukiyo

PS~ My deepest sympathies go out to your right hand and I wish it the swiftest of recoveries.

[Misato]

Wasn't too short, was just right! I wasn't really up to reding something long today anyways XD Mind you - next chapter shall be just as good and long, ne? Interesting you made Treize a soldier...

[Hitomi Lei]

I can't wait to see what Milli and Lu have up their sleevs!! And as always I hope the Sherif and his vile men die soon!! (with the exception of Treize...he seems nice)

[Raheedeken Saoyumira]

Wow... I'm a new member here, being such a huge Heero x Relena fan... reading fanfics like this just keep me up to my toes and hyper for a looong time!!! *dances around for proof* I can't wait to read the next!!! Kudos to Goldberry!!!