Special thanks go to Iris Anthe for beta reading ^^Cynehelme
by kmf
Rating: PG13
Warning: AU
Standard Disclaimer applies
Chapter 13
Relena allowed herself to be led away from the hall by the serving woman Catherine. Neither of them spoke as they walked, but Relena did not feel uncomfortable in the silence. She used the quiet to look about herself and accustom herself to the strange new halls she found herself in.
They abbey had been a wealthy one, and its inhabitants had lacked for nothing. Yet, compared to this villa, the abbey was a hovel. The villa, though much expanded and modified, retained much of its original graceful architecture. Once out of the main hall, the rushes had been replaced by large tiles glazed in subtle browns, blues and greens laid out in geometric patterns. The walls were painted with little scenes of rural life and though well faded from time, Relena still could discern easily the faces of the people depicted glowing warm nut brown from days spent in the summer sun.
Beyond the bright hall lay a newer section of the dwelling, the walls were finished in white plaster as the older section was, but this was not graced with any vista. Stopping before one door Catherine gestured.
"Here is where you will sleep. This is where the unmarried women reside," she said, opening the door slightly to allow Relena to see.
The room was graced with a fireplace which was something to truly be thankful for when the weather was as cold as it was now. A number of pallets were pilled up in one corner and Relena knew that at night they would be placed on the floor and the women would all sleep collectively; there would be no isolated cells for her.
She stood still as she realised that never again would she sleep alone. First she would be with the maidens and widows and then when she wed she would sleep in her husband?s chamber, whoever that would be. Turning, she caught Catherine by the arm as she walked on.
"What is King Odin like?" she asked, unable to keep the slight desperation creeping into her voice.
Catherine looked at her in sympathy and patted the hand that held her. "He is a good King," she said "Strong and handsome," she wrinkled her nose "Fair and generous." She turned away "Come, the druid has instructed that you bathe as soon as possible so that the steam may benefit your lungs."
Relena wanted to know more about Odin, but found instead that she was rushing after Catherine. "But I want to know more-"
Catherine shook her head. "You will learn soon enough. Heero is sure to send for the King now that the Druid has advised you ought not to travel any further. He and his troops will soon be here."
"Troops?" Relena frowned
Catherine nodded as they neared the end of the corridor. "There are rumours about Lindsey sending men to take you for themselves. The King will wish to protect what is his."
Relena's frown deepened "I am not his," she murmured.
Catherine, detecting the tone in her voice turned and looked at her in sympathy. "My dear, you are heir to the High King?s throne. Therefore you will be coveted for that status. You will belong to the strongest," she sighed "We can only hope that it is Mercia, I have no wish to be ruled over by a King Slayer," She blinked suddenly realising that she was referring to the death of Relena's father, and patted the girls back sympathetically. "All will be well, you will see."
She opened the door and cold air blew in, Relena looked through and saw that they had reached the boundary of the building. The cold air caught in her throat and she started to cough. Catherine pointed to a small square building nearby that had a large chimney issuing forth smoke.
"That is the bath house," she said. "Are you alright to walk across quickly?"
Relena nodded and found her hand being taken by the older woman. She pulled her out and helped keep her balance as Relena stumbled across the icy ground. Catherine pushed open the small wooden door and they both entered the building quickly, Catherine shoving the door closed behind her quickly.
The heat of the room assailed Relena's senses and for a moment she felt it difficult to breathe. Then as she acclimatised herself to the unnatural warmth, she looked around in curiosity. The floor was decorated in the most wonderful design of tiles that Relena had ever seen. Tiny chips of tile had been artfully arranged to show intertwining lengths of colours; blue, green, gold and white. It reminded Relena so much of the beautiful pages of the book of psalms back in the abbey that she wanted to cry.
Catherine, seeing her young charge?s gaze transfixed, smiled.
"It is called a mosaic and was done by the Romans who once lived here," she said "Its a wondrous thing and shows the Gods and Goddesses that they once worshipped."
Relena looked further into the room and saw that indeed she had only espied the complicated border of the design. Further in there were depicted reclining men and women, taking their ease on low couches being attended on by scantily dressed servants. Relena blushed as she saw that some of the men and women shown were completely nude and posed embracing each other.
Catherine, who was removing layers of her clothing, laughed a little as she saw the girl blush. "Is it true that nuns never know the touch of a man?" she asked curiosity flavouring her voice. When Relena nodded, averting her gaze from the amorous pictures Catherine smiled. "Your God is a jealous one then," she stated.
Relena looked towards her, about to defend her belief, when she saw that Catherine was only wearing a short shift that left her arms and legs bare. She blushed and looked away.
Catherine chuckled. "Oh my!" she teased "Aren?t you the innocent one!" she came forward and removed the cloak from Relena's shoulders, inspecting her clothes curiosity evident in her eyes. When she attempted to lift Relena's habit over her head, Relena pulled away again, blushing and wrapping her arms around herself. "My dear, I have to bath you, something you need to be sure," Catherine wrinkled her nose, "And to do that I have to remove your clothes."
"All of them?" Relena asked, her eyebrows raised.
Catherine?s hands were placed on her hips. "Have you never bathed before?" she pointed behind Relena.
She turned and saw further into the room was a circular pool of water, some twelve feet in diameter. Sunken into the water at the edge was a narrow ledge, wide enough to sit on. In the middle a marble column rose, its top level as if something ought to sit upon it. The water steamed and Relena frowned wondering how so much water could have been heated and placed in the pool.
She shook her head "Not in something like that," she said, her voice nervous. She turned back to the serving woman. "Washing too much is frowned upon. It shows that you have too much vanity. Indeed, some of the nuns never allow water to touch their faces - there is one who swore that she had not washed since she was baptised as she did not want the blessing of God to be removed from her skin."*
Catherine?s nose wrinkled and she shuddered lightly.
"I have been reprimanded for my own habit of washing my hair and face too often," Relena looked back at the pool "But I have never been immersed in water. I have never taken my clothes off all at once!"
Catherine's face became stern. "Quatre has ordered that you bathe, so bathe you will. Even if I have to cut the clothes from your back!" she said, "Besides, those need to be replaced, they are more than filthy"
She stood arms crossed and frowning. Relena looked about herself wondering if there was any way to escape. When she determined there was only one door in and out, she bent her head admitting her acceptance of what was demanded of her. She removed her sandals first and looked up at Catherine in surprise. The floor was warm and wonderfully soothing under her feet. Catherine grinned at her surprise and gestured for her to continue, whilst she pulled forth lengths of cloth and little jars and vials.
When Relena finished disrobing, she held her arms around her naked body and looked down to her feet in her embarrassment unable to look at Catherine. She wriggled her toes as she coughed and noted how dirty they were in comparison with Catherine?s long white feet. She felt hands on her shoulders as Catherine directed her further into the room, kicking the clothes aside as she went. A marble bench was placed at one side of the room and upon that Relena was directed to sit.
Again, she expected to wince from the coldness of the stone, but the room was so wonderfully hot that the stone had absorbed the heat and was comfortable. Catherine used a little wooden pail to collect water from the pool and gently tipped it over Relena's head.
Relena gasped in surprise. It was surprisingly hot. Catherine chuckled again as she worked on wetting Relena completely "The pool is fed by a natural spring that lies nearby," She pointed at a pipe from which a little trickle of water spilled into the pool. "There is a furnace at the back of the building. When that is stoked well, this whole room becomes hot, including the pool and the water contained within it. The pool itself empties by another pipe which allows the water to refresh itself so that it is always clean."
She had finished wetting Relena by now, and was beginning to rub scented oils into her skin and hair. Relena closed her eyes, blushing to the tips of her ears in her embarrassment, but had to admit that the process was extremely soothing and the scent of the oils made her breathing a lot less laboured.
When Catherine had finished rubbing the oils into Relena's skin, she produced a rectangular sliver of wood and began to use it to scrape the dirt and oils from Relena's body. It was a little uncomfortable to one who was not used to such thorough cleansing, and soon Relena felt her skin glow with an uncomfortable redness. Catherine ignored her protests though, making comments on the amount of grime she was able to remove. Relena, noting that Catherine would not stop until she was finished, bit her lip and endured.
Finally when the process was over Catherine tipped another lot of water over her charge, rinsing the oils from her hair. Then, satisfied, she stood back and smiled.
"Now soak in the water!" she pointed at the pool and Relena scrambled to obey. The pool was surprisingly deep and as she settled herself on the submerged marble ledge she found that only the tops of her shoulders remained out of the water. Her hair floated out around her drifting in the little eddies that the fresh spring water entering the pool caused.
"Its so large!" she murmured dreamily as the heat of the water soaked into her very bones making her feel languid and relaxed "Too big for one person."
Catherine snorted "Of course its too large for one person; its a communal bath."
"Oh!" Relena uttered in surprise, her eyes drifting to the mosaics on the floor once more. "Oh!" her eyes widened as she focused on the men entwined with women, embracing and kissing. She sat up straight "Oh!"
She stood up in a panic and nearly slipped on the marble lined bottom of the pool. Catherine clucked, grabbing her arm as she lost her balanced, then firmly pushed her back into the water
"The Druid said that you must stay in for a good long while, and you will do as you are told," Catherine?s eyes twinkled "Besides, no-one else will want to bathe today," She turned her gaze to the door "Except, maybe, Lord Heero."
"Oh!" Relena exclaimed again, holding her arms around herself in her distress. She had found it difficult enough to cope with exposing her body to another female, the thought that she might be displayed in front of Heero made her tremble in modest fright.
Catherine laughed a little, holding her hand across her mouth in her mirth. "I am joking, Heero will not be entering here whilst you are still a maiden," Her grin widened as Relena sank further into the water in her relief. "But be assured, this bath is most assuredly designed with more than one in mind,? She bent down and pulled on her own dress, before picking up the discarded habit. Holding it out at arms length, her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Rest here a while. I will go and fetch you new robes."
Relena, lifting her face clear of the water looked worried "But-" she started to protest.
"You will not be disturbed until my return. I promise you," Catherine smiled kindly, laughing softly as she went.
Relena, again immersed in the comforting warmth of the pool was left wondering whether or not she was disappointed in the fact that Heero would not be joining her.
* * * * *
Zechs Marquis walked his horse slowly over the snowy landscape, it deserved a rest after the mad dash he had subjected it to. He patted its neck encouragingly enjoying the feel of another live being under his skin. They had travelled hard and fast to deliver Noin and the babe to the safety of Yuy's stronghold before Yuy himself had arrived. They had paused for neither food nor rest, and Noin had bravely suffered the hardship nursing the babe as they moved.
He was surprised to find that he already missed his wife. He sighed a little, giving the horse another pat as they moved along. Zechs had been very lucky in the wife that had been chosen for him, for his was a political marriage and not a marriage of love. From the moment he had met Noin he had liked her, but had expected nothing more of the relationship.
Noin, however, had been quite obviously smitten by him from the moment she had seen him. She had stumbled over words, and her eyes had visibly dilated when he had run his hand through his hair. It had been very flattering to be the object of his betrothed?s desire, but he had not expected to reciprocate the feeling.
However, as time had passed Zechs had found himself more and more drawn to the woman, liking the way that she supported all that he endeavoured to do. He was suitably proud when she conceived their child, it gave him additional status and showed that he was indeed a man in every sense of the word. Love had not really entered into it until his father had been killed and their lives had been at threat. It was then that Noin had bloomed in his eyes. She had become strong and determined, able to cope with the hardships they had to endure. She still remained devoted to him despite his loss of status. And she created and brought forth a perfect male child to continue his line. For all this, he loved her.
It had been Noin?s idea to stop Lindsey by getting rid of the source of the problem; Kushrinada. But whilst Zechs had agreed, he knew that it would not be as simple as that. Treize had followers who were more than willing to step forward and continue on if he was lost, Dorothy Catalonia was a prime example. Zechs and Noin had made an agreement, he would take her to Yuy's stronghold, a place which he knew she and his child would be safe and where he was sure Yuy would take Relena. And Zechs would track down the Lindsey warband and assassinate Treize Kushrinada. Once that task was done, Zechs would return to Noin and reclaim her and the High King?s throne.
But Zechs had lied to Noin about this. He would not kill Treize Kushrinada, that would not bring an end to all the wars and fighting. That would not bring peace to the land. The answer was that instead of getting rid of the source of the aggression, he should get rid of the object of the aggression.
Not Relena. No, he couldn?t harm the girl that looked so much like his mother it made his throat hurt with long suppressed memories of her gentle kindness. He would keep Relena safe. But if there was no longer an inheritance for her to claim, if there was no longer a High King?s throne then there would be nothing to battle over. If he could incite the other Kings to hold a war so fierce that it destroyed Mercia and forever turned their hearts away from battle, then Relena would be safe. Noin would be safe. His child would be safe.
Zechs narrowed his eyes. He turned his head to regard his horse again and saw that it was no longer sweating. Climbing up in the saddle, he looked once more back in the direction to where the three people he cared about were, before turning away and using his heals to urge it into a gallop.
He would protect them.
* * * *
Heero flexed his shoulder muscles trying to work out a cramp that was forming. His back hurt, his arms hurt, his thighs hurt. He grimaced, doubting that there was a muscle in his body that didn?t hurt like hell at the moment. He had sat patiently listening to his advisors hurriedly tell him of the current situation all the while trying to ignore the protests of his body. Then it had been his turn to tell the story of how he had gained, then lost, then regained the Peacecraft heir.
Of course, this revelation had led to yet more discussion on the impending threat of war. Heero tried to be attentive, but his mind kept wandering to the wonderful bath that he knew was prepared and waiting. Frowning, he tried to chase the thought of seeking blessed oblivion in hot water. Instead, he sat straight ignoring the protests of his spine as he did so, and concentrated on what was being said.
"I have heard of Dorothy Catalonia," Quatre was saying, his hand gripping his staff tightly and his expression thoughtful. "I have heard say that she is fiercely protective of her family. I have no doubt that she was not taking the Lady Relena for herself, but rather to return her to Kushrinada."
"But if she was acting on her own," another older man whose name escaped Heero for a moment - was it Parth? "Would that not remove the perceived threat of war?"
"That is wishful thinking," Heero shook his head "We will be at war with Lindsey soon enough. Treize wishes to be High King. He will try and get the Peacecraft heir to ratify his position."
Quatre nodded in agreement "He needs to claim her, or to kill her, to make his position a safe one."
Heero frowned. Of course, that was a possibility. And if Treize did gain possession of her, then Heero would be the one considering her assassination. He brought a finger to his brow, rubbing the headache that had begun to make itself known and caught Quatre's look of empathy. He sat straighter, crossing his arms and glared at his advisors.
"Send a message at once to the King. Let him know that Relena Peacecraft is safe within this holding, but that warriors are needed against a possible invasion," his frown deepened "Request his instruction on what to do with her."
He stood up, grimacing a little as the muscles in his back protested once again. His men stood too, nodding their agreement for the actions he was taking. Their voices low and full of concern that there should be the possibility of war when winter still had hold of the land.
"Double the guards and let me know if the warband returns tonight," Heero gave his final instruction casually as he walked out of the hall.
He headed to the back of the building with a purposeful stride. He had not yet eaten since his arrival, but the aches demanded they be soothed before his stomach was sated. To that end, he headed towards the bath. Passing through the corridors, he spared a glance at the door that lead to where Relena would now be sleeping. His stride slowed as he imagined her lying beneath blankets, safe and warm, and wondered if her cough had eased.
Stopping, he placed a hand against the door and almost opened it, his heart beat racing a little as he imagined her lying amidst rumpled bedclothes, her hair loose and tangled around her shoulders. But then the image of his father came to his mind, his eyes stern and disapproving. It was not right that he should covet what was most likely to be his father?s wife. Heero lowered his hand slowly, his fingertips trailing against the wood. Eyes narrowing with determination, he turned from the door hoping that the steam of the bath would drive the image of a sleeping, blanket-shrouded Relena from his mind.
Exiting the main residence, he moved quickly across the courtyard to the bath house noting as he went that smoke still issued from the rear of the building. His mouth pulled into a small smile satisfied that the water would be hot enough to soothe even the massive aches he endured.
Pushing on the door he entered quickly amidst billowing steam as the hot air of the room met the cold frigid air of the outside. Closing the door, he blinked a couple of times to adjust his eyes to the steamy interior, then walked in kicking his sandals off as he went. Usually he would be assisted in his ablutions by Catherine whose talented fingers were well adept to soothing out the meanest kink from his muscles. But today she had been assigned to looking after Relena's needs and so he would have to see to himself.
Pulling his tunic over his head, he carelessly tossed it to one side. The lengths of leather that bound his calves were next to be removed, before he started to loosen the leather thongs that held his breeches up. As he started to pull the thong loose he happened to glance towards the water and he froze.
Relena lay half in and half out of the water, her upper body twisted so that her head was pillowed on her arms which rested on the edge of the bath. Her hair fell about her head damp with steam, the ends drifting in the water. Her body was obscured by her position although Heero could see the curve of her back leading down to her gently rounded hip. She was asleep and completely oblivious to his observation of her.
Heero slowly moved back a pace, retying his breeches as he moved his gaze still claimed by the sleeping woman in the water. He wondered whether he ought to wake her, his heartbeat racing a little as he imagined her startled and disorientated sitting upright and revealing her hidden body to him. His hands began to feel sweaty as he fumbled with the knots and he had to reluctantly remove his eyes from her and pay attention to the task at hand.
The door opening again made Heero almost jump an odd feeling of guilt flooding him making him scowl with irritation. Catherine entered the room, in her hands a set of clothes. She saw him straight away and raised an eyebrow before grinning broadly. He glared back not wishing to speak least he wake Relena and frighten her.
Looking past Heero, Catherine smiled again as she saw that Relena was asleep. Moving towards the girl she placed the clothes down and took up a length of linen. "Do you wish to bathe now?" she asked "You could lift her from the water for me rather than waking her. You wouldn?t mind doing that, would you?"
The thought of actually holding a wet naked Relena to his chest made Heero's breath catch in his throat. He could almost feel her hot skin against his, her damp hair trailing down his arm, her scent warm and spicy from the oils she had been rubbed in. He swallowed, then took a deep lung full of air as he realised he had stopped breathing. Turning, he strode out of the room hearing Catherine's amused laughter chase after him.
It was only when the cold air hit him as the door to the bath house closed behind him, that he realised that he was still nearly naked.
tbc
*true account! Amongst early Christians, cleanliness was a sign of vanity and was frowned upon.
Heero with Relena in the bath house... too bad he didn't wake her up eh 
That certainly would've been funny... so when are we going to find out whom she is to be with?!!?
So I'm guessing that we finally get to meet King Odin next time 'round. I'm most curious to see how that plays out. What will Mr. Ican'thandleawetnakedRelenabutamfuriouslyprotectiveofherandmyDruidbestnottouchheragain Yuy do? Most curious indeed.
)