A Reluctant Romance - Chapter 1 - PG(so far)

[BabbleFish]

Hi minna! Here?s another new story from me, newly renamed Melpomene Rose, formerly known as MsAnneThropy2600. I?ve been sick the past couple days, so i?ve had the time to work on things. Don?t worry; i haven?t abandoned ?Protect Me from What I Want? by any means. Please read and enjoy!

All Standard Disclaimers Apply (ASDA)



With a short scream of indignation the young queen hurled the white satin dancing slippers at the door.

?How dare they force me into marriage?! I am their queen! My word is law in this land! How dare they force me to take a consort,? she muttered angrily under her breath before breaking into tears. Unsteadily she moved towards the large bed in the center of the chamber. She knew she couldn?t hide forever, she was required to attend the ball even though everything in her being wanted her to climb out of the window and escape into the forest.

Queen Relena Rhiannon Larenya Peacecraft had been crowned the queen of Cinq when she was merely fifteen years of age. That had been almost eight years ago and her council decided it was time for the young queen to take a man to be Prince Consort. When first they mentioned their decision, Relena had politely brushed them off, confident in her abilities as ruler.

?But your Majesty,? they cried Cinq needs an heir and you are the last Peacecraft! Your Prince Consort will be arriving this afternoon, you will meet him formally at the ball tonight. ? They had never understood their young queen?s reticence as to finding a suitable consort. Many kings, princes, and other men of the nobility had courted her but always she refused their advances. Bards across the land sang ballads about her spirit and beauty. Thick, dark blonde hair intricately plaited emphasized the pale perfection that was her skin. Many of the women of her court envied her large violet eyes. She was tall and slender, her waist narrow and her limbs long and graceful. Though she was only 23, her countenance exuded intelligence and wisdom.

Though highly sought after, the young queen was devoted to her kingdom. Her family long since dead during a botched attempt at a coup d?etat, she considered her subjects family. She followed the teachings of pacifism her father had taught her when she was but a babe. The army of Cinq was highly trained and was considered to among the best armies of the land. During times of war between countries, Cinq maintained its neutrality (AN: kind of like Switzerland).

Another ball, another evening of simpering ladies and shameless lords. I detest it all...she thought sarcastically as she crossed the room to fetch the battered dancing slipper. She sighed and began unlacing her day dress. Though raised in the lap of luxury, Relena had always desired simplicity. She expressed that desire by dressing simply during the day and changed into more formal gowns in the evening. Even though her gowns were of simple design, they were constructed out of rich fabric and painstakingly stitched.

Glancing at the ornate clock on the table near her bed, Relena was overjoyed to see that the ball was still five hours away. She smirked mischievously and began to redo the fastenings of her deep green day dress. It was of a very simple design; the bodice emphasized the narrow waist, the form of female ?perfection,? enhanced by rigid stays and numerous petticoats. The wide skirt flared from her waist, just long enough to barely brush the floor. The young queen left the dancing slippers where they were, and taking instead a pair of immaculate brown leather riding boots.

?They?ll never even notice I?m gone!? she gleefully muttered to herself as she pulled on the boots. Relena sidled back to her wardrobe and retrieved a warm black cloak. Carelessly, she slung it over her shoulders and strode out of her chambers.

The large halls of the City Palace were deserted, most servants had been recruited to polish the ballroom floor or to put up decorations. For that, Relena was thankful. Fewer servants in the halls meant less chance of being caught. The trip to the stables was short, and the young queen breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the long building.

?Pierre, I?m so sorry it took me so long to get away! I would have much rather spent time with you, instead of wasting it at that stupid council meeting. I?m getting married...well, they?re making me get married...? She talked breezily to her horse, Pierre, as she placed the saddle on his back.
Relena chattered aimlessly as she finished readying her horse. She swung herself easily onto his back, choosing to ride astride; eschewing the uncomfortable sidesaddle she was usually forced to use.

They galloped into the forest, Pierre kicking up dust from the road. They rode deep into the forest, and Relena slowed him to a walk. After wandering aimlessly for what seemed like hours, she decided it was time to return to the palace and her duties. What she didn?t expect, were bandits.

She was brutally knocked to the ground by a burly man with greasy hair. He pushed her to the ground, his hands gripping her shoulders hard enough to bruise them

?Hey look what I caught, Orrin! What?s a pretty lady like you doin? out ?ere all alone??

?None of your business, you cretin! Let me go right now you filthy piece of...? Relena was cut off by a vicious backhand across her cheek.

?You?ll shut yer pretty mouth if you know what?s good for ye! Orrin, Yorick, get over here!? He shouted, pressing his large hand across her mouth to muffle her. She promptly bit it. ?Ouch! Why you...!?

The other two men arrived, one took the reins of Pierre and the other just stood over her and her unnamed assailant.

?That?s a fine lookin? woman you caught, Jon! Care to share?? He asked, a sick grin sliding across his dirty face.

?Why of course, Orrin!? The man called Jon smiled down at her before reaching for her bodice. Relena screamed, her voice shrill with fear.

?Scream all you want, darlin?, ain?t no one going to hear yo- ? He was cut short by the arrow that sunk itself deep into his chest. Jon released her shoulders, slouching over, dead.

Sliding out from under the dead man, Relena made to run; but the man called Orrin grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to him. Another arrow buried itself in his shoulder and she let out a short scream and pushed him away from her.

?Are you alright?? Came a voice, deep and carefully modulated. Relena looked up in surprise at her savior. He was handsome, to be sure, with unruly brunet (AN: that?s the masculine form of ?brunette?) hair and deep Prussian blue eyes. His eyes were slightly slanted, giving him an almost exotic look.

She stood slowly, her eyes never leaving his. She tried in vain to will her hands to stop shaking.

?I?m fine, thank you,? she replied primly, wiping the blood from her split lip with the back of a long-fingered hand. She wasn?t sure of this man, he seemed well bred and his clothes were fine. He looked tall, sitting on a midnight black warhorse; his shoulders broad and hands large and elegant.

?I?ll get your horse,? he said and trotted off in the direction her horse had taken off in, leaving her standing in the middle of a clearing with the dead bodies of her attackers marring the sweet perfection of the place.

The young woman gently probed her cheek, wincing and thinking to herself: That?s going to bruise...I wonder how I?m going to hide it...Hilde is going to kill me!

Suddenly, Relena began to shake, never in her life had she been attacked and treated in that manner. Her knees gave way and she slid to the frozen ground in a heap of skirts and petticoats. The last thing she saw as she slipped into unconsciousness was those tilted Prussian blue eyes.

[takisha16]

OH MY! Another prince-princess fic!!!
Yay!!
I love these stories, especially H*R pairings!
I can't believe bandits attacked her, I'm so glad Heero came to her rescue!!
This is another one of your great stories that I will be anxiously waiting to read!
update soon!

[TwinSoul.239]

I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!^______________^

please keep up the good work!!!i'll be looking forward for the next chapter!!!!

[amulak]

Yes Heero!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was so awesome rescuing Relena from those icky bandits! Woo-hoo!!!
Relena makes me laugh- I like imagining her with a pretty dress on and riding boots. ^^
I love this fic already- so you'd better update again soon or I'll have to come after you. j/k I hope you feel better! (even if it does give you less time for updating)

[Morrighan]

Heero has good timing. Tee hee.

Relena's conversation with Pierre reminds me of what I'd do when I visit the stables.... XDXD

Can't wait to see more!!

[HiFreak]

Heero's so HOT!!!!

I love the whole Queen/King thing. I guess Relena won't mind getting married anymore huh?

[miz_lou]

Nicely written beginning, please do continue the royal antics!

<strike>And finish Protect Me from What I Want</strike>

[SerenityDeath]

i do love it. please continue!

[Aeris_Eithne]

I love fairytale/medieval 1xR fics, and this one is so sweet! You're quite the gifted storyteller, and I'm completely captivated by this story. Please post more soon! ^_~

[The Angry Angel]

oo-ooooooo--ooo!

I suddenly thought, Tristan & Isolde with this, but I have much higher hopes and expectations considering it's yours~~~~this is just lovely!

Hats off, and best of luck!
~AA