Treasure Found

Chapter 12

Tribulating Letters

Gundam wing

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rating: mature to be safe

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 6x5

Warnings: mpreg, language, OOC, AU

Summery: AU The Gundam boys are wolfeans (have a wolf and a human form) in of world of Mercia that contains elves, fairies, and other fantastical creatures. Prince Heero of Dane is searching his lands for his mate. Will he find him before the Picts find the enchanted Jewel of Ludeca and seize war on all of Mercia?

Cold eyes scrutinized the beta with the long braid laughed freely with those seated at the large table as they breakfasted together for the eighth time. They observed how violet eyes sparkled each time their owner smiled at a funny story shared about palace goings-on. Prince Heero just sat and methodically ate his dinner as he watched his intended mate grin and joke with his guards as if they were always friends and had not just met a few days ago. Then it happened.

Warm violet eyes slowly slipped to the prince's cold blue and glistened as Duo beamed a large smile solely intended for Heero. The prince's breathe was frozen in his chest by the small gesture. For the remainder of his meal, Heero had a pleased aura surrounding him that the others witnessed with satisfaction.

Before any of those dinning realized, time flew by and the two native betas bid their companions good day. Not wanting to bother with anyone else, Heero made straight for his room. Unfortunately he did not succeed. Waiting for him in the inn's small lobby was a young alpha. He was dirty with a weary look and carried a small satchel with the royal seal indicating he was a messenger for the court.

Upon seeing the Prince and his entourage arrive, the young man jumped to his feet and bowed deeply at his waist. His left hand fumbling on the pouched strapped to his hip, the boy then withdrew a cylinder shaped object with the King's seal stamped upon it. With a shaky hand he held it out for the prince and waited for its removal.

Heero stood frozen, not wanting to touch anything his father had sent for him. When the messenger raised confused eyes to those before him, the prince reacted by looking at his advisor indicating to take the offending object. Trowa did not hesitate and reached for it. He broke the seal and unrolled a long letter.

Knowing that the chocolate haired alpha would want him to read the letter too, the advisor did so and then looked at the messenger. His face still neutral of any expression, Trowa asked how long the messenger had taken to find the prince. With the short reply of two days, the prince grunted showing his displeasure of not understanding why the advisor asked a question. For the past few months, the group was accustomed to receiving letters from the King or his mate inquiring about Heero's search but they were already in the towns waiting for their arrival. Having this letter brought to them was not what the prince wanted, he desired more time to try and win over his future mate with out his court life interfering.

"It seems the King is aware that you deviated from your planned trip and demands you to reply why with this messenger. Or if you have chosen someone to return home immediately." The alpha informed his friend.

A chilly glare turned frostier upon his guards as Heero quickly came to the conclusion that one of them had reported their movements back to his father and betrayed him. All those around him shivered from his cold aura, they were all well-acquainted with his Highness's temper by this stage of the journey and knew someone was going to pay dearly for informing the king.

"Enlighten my father of our location and that I have discovered a possible mate. It will take a few more weeks before I reach my decision." Was ground out by the prince before he stormed to his room, his pleasant mood from breakfast completely forgotten.

Bowing to the remaining party, the boy quickly proceeded to head out of the inn with a look of horror upon his face. Trowa could not stop a tiny laugh from bubbling as he watched the messenger flee and the identical terror filled looks upon all the guards faces.

"You have my pity." The tall alpha said as he too left the inn not wanting to stick around for the prince to irrupt his fury in a few moments. The advisor was sure that he would still be able to hear his friend's displeasure at the healer's house.

Those remaining in the Inn's lobby stood frozen in indecision. Wufei was the first to move and stiffly walked to his apparent doom, the prince's suite. "If I was the one who kept the King informed, I would confess to the prince now before he stews and becomes more enraged. Wait a few minutes as I will try to calm him down for your explanation." He stopped halfway up the stairs turning to face his men, "Which ever of you had done this, know that I too am irritated that you went behind our backs." Wufei pinned each one with his dark cold glare before resuming his assent to the suite.

Approaching the thick wooden door, the head guard paused to listen, he had assumed that the prince would be tearing the room apart in his fury, but all that he was met with was dead silence. Taking a deep breathe, the dark haired beta entered the room and was shocked at what greeted him, nothing. The prince was not there, the only movement in the room came from the drapes by an open window.

Concerned, Wufei rushed to the window, breathing for the scent of his friend. He discovered that as soon as Heero had jumped out the window he had morphed into his wolf form and headed towards the woods. Knowing that the prince tended to find trouble when alone and not wanting to waste time for his fellows to catch up, the beta also jumped out the window and transformed into an auburn wolf before reaching the ground. Upon landing he heard a slight gasp and spun to his left at the noise. A young beta about 30 years old was walking past and had seen him. 'Great,' Wufei thought, 'Now I'll be hounded for being able to transform so smoothly.' Ticked off, he growled showing all his white teeth before following his friend's wolf scent into the woods.

It took Wufei almost an hour to find the Bistre colored wolf hidden under a thatch of old grass perturbing over some large boulders. He paused, cocking his ears trying to figure out what his prince was up to under there. Not hearing anything, the auburn colored wolf slowly approached the prince and crouched down to show his submission of being no threat. They stayed there for a long time before Wufei heard the dried leaves' slight crinkle indicating the prince's movement.

Looking over and seeing the alpha back in his human form, the auburn wolf too transformed. Before he was able to ask what they were doing out there, the prince asked a question first. "Is it right that I hate him?"

"You do not hate your father." the guard replied in a haughty manner.

"Yes, I do. He runs my life both in the palace and away." Dark eyes stared at the prince unused to his forlorn voice.

"Heero, he is only doing what he believes will help you. You are his only child and destined to become ruler after him. The king only wishes to have you properly prepared for that role."

"Then he should know that I am already capable of handling myself." came in a clipped voice.

"He is your parent, he will always be looking out for you." Wufei shook his head, he knew there would be no reasoning with his friend. Over their journey they had had this conversation before, always ending without the prince seeing reason. Then an idea came to mind. "If Duo went to the next town, what would you do?"

"Go with him." Heero said instantly.

"Why, he has been there before many a times and just there last week when you first met?"

"To make positive nothing befalls his journey."

"Heero, that is the same mentality that your father has with you. He only wants to look after you even if you can do it yourself." Wufei was pleased with himself as his friend gave a grunt letting the subject drop. He knew that the prince would still bring up this sore topic, but at least there was another view added to help the prince. With their discussion over, they went back to their wolf forms and headed back to the Inn.

When the two reached the edge of the forest, they both transformed into their usual forms and proceeded back to their room. As they entered the two guards in the room jumped to their feet with panic written across their face. Heero merely looked at them and ordered them out. Going to the bed, the prince dropped on it and heard paper crunching. Pulling out what he'd laid upon blue eyes traversed the letter to read it in detail. Once done he grunted, tossed it to the floor and told his friend he would deal with it after his nap.

Knowing he was dismissed and that the prince would talk to him later, Wufei left the room to talk to the two guards outside the door. He was curious as to where Maddox was. As soon and the door was sealed behind him, Galen spoke of the wayward guard.

"He felt guilty for obeying the king's orders over the prince's and went to send his own message to the king asking for forgiveness."

"Why does he need the kings forgiveness if he has been following orders?" the beta questioned with his dark eyes focused on his underlings.

"He said he was telling him he wasn't going to keep him informed any more, sir" Xerxes piped up.

"That will help his case but not lessen his punishment from the prince." Wufei said before turning and heading to the inn's lounge.

Sbsbsbsbsbbbssbsbsssbsb

At the gentle knock at the door, Quatre jumped to his feet rushing to the door. Just as he hoped, on the other side was his hearts obsession, Trowa. Seeing the tall alpha standing there about to knock again, a luminous smile broke out on the beta's face. The green eyed man smiled in return before he was suddenly surrounded by the hugging blonde. Breaking apart, the blonde pulled the taller man instead the kitchen and sat him down at the table.

"I'd offer something to eat, but we just did that not long ago, so would you like some tea?"

In reply to the gentle beta's question, the brown head nodded once, his green eyes never leaving the betas form. Quatre quickly then spun around and bustled around the kitchen to prepare the tea. Once the kettle was filled and heating and the teapot filled with leaves, he took a seat across the alpha.

"You didn't say you were visiting today at breakfast." the blonde stated. At the curious tilt of the alpha's head he amended. "Not that it's not a pleasant surprise"

"I'm not inerupting anything, am I?"

"Oh, no. What ever I'm doing you're always welcome to accompany me" was blurted as the blonde covered his mouth in shock as his blue eyes almost popped out of his head. Trowa couldn't help but chuckle alittle at the boy's reaction to his own statement.

"I'm glad" he replied with a serene smile lighting his face. The two stared at each other for a few moments before they were interrupted by the kettle's whistle.

As the beta poured the hot water into the teapot he started a conversation on what he had planned that day. He was due to visit a few families on house calls, some of whom were expecting a child soon. He went on to explan how excited he was to be their doctor and help bring new life into the world. One of those families was going to be his first expericance in midwifing. Through it all, the other man remained silent, content just listening to the beta ramble on as they enjoyed their tea together.

Once the two had their tea, they set out together to visit the patients expecting the beta. The walk to the first visit, was uneventful except for Quatre's smile showing how pleased he was, mostly because the alpha was carrying his rather heavy medical bag. After the first visit, the load of the bag was greatly lessened by ointments and elixirs the healer left behind for the old couple who still insisted on plowing their own fields. Traveling to the beta's second appointment, both of the wolfeans sported large grins.

In the same order as the first visit, the second and third past. As the pair reached a small house on the southern edge of town, the advisor noticed the blonde's smile dimmer. Concerned over the beta, Trowa studied the house trying to discern what the matter could be. It appeared a simple house, well kept with noise of children coming from inside. Unable to solve the quandary, he questioned the smaller male.

"Is something the matter, Quatre? You seem troubled."

"Oh, no nothings wrong" Then the blonde gave an immense sign and continued. "I was really looking forward to delivering Mangus' child into the world."

"Why won't you be able to?" Trowa questioned back immediately gaining a calculating blue stare.

"He is not due for another two months" Quatre replied after a few moments studying the alpha's face. As he kept watching for a reaction to his comment, he noticed that the prince's advisor had not deduced his meaning. "I don't think I'll be living here for much longer." Still at the blank look, the blonde smirked, raised his eyebrows and motioned his head towards the alpha to push his intentions. Finally a sizeable grin broke out on the green eyed man's face as the matter struck home.

"I'm sure someone of your talents would be much appreciated in the capitol to help deliver babies. Many a times I've heard the royal physician grumble because she had to go and help out in the city." After looking proud of himself he continued, "In fact, I know she would love to take on a talented assistant to help ease her burdens."

Quatre was glowing with the idea of working in the palace and that the alpha implied that he was talented. Before he had a chance to think of it and continue that discussion, the two were at the front door and he had already knocked the opening door.

"Quatre, just on time as always. Mangus is in the kitchen cooking his famous stroganoff for dinner. Oh, you brought someone with you." The talkative alpha that opened the door jumped as he took in who was with the blonde. "Your highness, or sir, umm… Please do come in, your both welcomed here."

Quatre smiled at the man as he entered and walked into the front room filled with large couches around the walls and a large dining table in the center of the room . Then he motioned to the advisor as he introduced each of the alpha's to each other. "Malcolm, I hope I'm not inconveniencing you by bringing my, friend, Trowa with me." At Malcolm's shaking head, he turned to the green eyed alpha. "Trowa, this is Malcolm Meaney the expecting sire." The two alpha's acknowledged each other with the later bowing down almost halfway to the ground.

"Please, just call me Trowa, and don't bow. That is only for his Highness Prince Heero." Trowa stated softly

"Sorry sir, I just never ever expected to meet someone from the courts, let alone have them in my home. Please make yourself at home. Quatre, would you like me to bring Mangus in here or do you prefer the kitchen? I have to run to town for some errands myself so what ever would be easier for you."

"I'll go to the kitchen and not miss eating what smells so wonderful. Trowa?" the blonde stated already making his way to the back and into the kitchen. There he found a man standing over the stove while holding a small child and two others by his side. It appeared to the blonde that the other blonde was showing the kids how to cook something, and that it smelled wonderful.

"MMMmmm, I hope you intend to share?" All at the stove jumped and spun around to take in the visitor. At the loud calls of "Quatre" the small blonde smiled and braced himself for the three sets of arms heading his way for a hug. "Mangus, I would like you to meet Trowa. Trowa this is Mangus."

"A pleasure to meet you sir. Please, have a seat and I'll dish you both up some stroganoff. I was lucky enough to catch a Fallow deer two days ago, so please eat up there is plenty more if you would like seconds. Kids go catch up to your father and make sure he gets everything on that list I gave you." The beta said as he laid two plates before his seated guests.

"Mangus, I hope I heard you incorrectly. You weren't the one to hunt the deer were you?" The healer asked with a business attitude now focused solely on his patient.

"Come now, I'm not due for over two months from now. An occasional transformation won't hurt me or the child." was said to the sink, intent on doing a chore, instead of the blonde beta. Standing and going to the other blonde beta, Quatre pulled the man from the task and dragged him to the table.

"Sit" the healer ordered. He then started to examine his patient talking about the dangers of transforming. "Mangus, this is your first child. You above all know how dangerous to transform in the later trimesters. You told me yourself that's what killed your mates first spouse with their fourth child. How can you be so reckless. The transformation is too strenuous for your body carrying a child I will not have you jeopardizing yourself or your baby." As Quatre's rant finished so did his exam. With a large smile he announced, "It appears no harm done at least. Which is a good thing other wise I would skin you alive." No one doubt the beta's threat by the steal glint in his bright blue eyes.

Soon after the three were finishing their meal. Then having already inspected his patient, Quatre led the way back to the old healers home with the spring still in his step. When the two got there, Rolf was sitting at the kitchen table sipping a hot drink with a solemn look upon his rugged face. With out a word, he pushed a letter across the table to the beta.

Taking the note and scanning it Quatre's face fell. Picking up on the change of attitude Trowa approached the blonde's back and gently placed his hands upon either shoulder. Instantly he felt the muscles relax as the beta leaned back into him. He quietly waited for the reason of the beta's distress.

"It's… it's a letter from my father. He's going to be coming here next month to take me back home. He demands that I give up my childish fantasies of becoming a healer and take over his company. I… I… I don't want to go back with him." stuttering his response, the blonde spun around and pushed his face into Trowa's broad chest seeking comfort.

As Rolf made his way quietly from the room, Trowa rubbed the beta's back in soothing circles. Wanting to cheer him up and take his mind away from the troublesome letter, the alpha thought of what he knew would cheer the blonde up. Thinking back to when they first met, an idea popped into his mind and he made his suggestion.

"Tomorrow, why don't we go for a hunt. Heero also needs some cheering up and loves to hunt. You could also invite Duo and we can make a day of it?" Bright teary eyes looked up to him as a large smile broke across the healers face at the idea.

"That would be wonderful." the blonde chirped, happy to have his mind focusing on something else. "I'll plan everything. Just have the others ready by first light in the morning and Duo and I will meet you in the lobby." Giving a quick peck to the advisors cheek, the beta then pushed him out the door ending their visit.

TBC…