"Consponsata"

Trowa reluctantly agreed to help him despite his strong misgivings about what Quatre was planning on doing. He absolutely dreaded it, but he had to obey his Prince. He was worried, deeply worried about Quatre's welfare should that prisoner, that criminal agree to the proposal. The possibility that Quatre could get himself into an even worse situation than he was already in made him queasy with fear. The idea that this wedding, should it come to pass, would mean that this...Saian would someday become King of Ghali left him with a sour taste in his mouth. 

He didn't like admitting it, not even to himself, but he knew part of it was jealousy. He wanted to be the one Quatre married, though Quatre had said if it was legal, he would have. Trowa cursed the laws that made it impossible. He'd make a worthwhile husband to Quatre. He would do everything in his power to make him happy. He'd never even dream of hurting him, or forcing him to bed him. He loved and respected the Prince far more than most of the men he'd encountered. He was cursed by his servant status, but it had been the only way he could stay with Quatre. Servant, or death. And he would always choose servitude to his Prince. There was never any question. 

He fondly remembered that adorably small boy with the bouncing blond curls and the big blue eyes who'd literally jumped on top of him and clung to him like a baby monkey when the palace physicians were discussing his extermination. He'd resigned himself to his fate, knowing that if he was unable to be a warrior, he lacked purpose. His existence pointless. He was surprised that this little boy seemed to think otherwise and was deeply charmed by his adamant refusal to allow him to die.

He'd been even more shocked to discover the boy was actually the heir to the throne. He couldn't believe someone like him, so important and so obviously cherished, could care so much about a lowly foot soldier rendered useless by a heart defect. Trowa was quiet, solemn much of the time, not believing in his own worth, but Quatre never gave up on him. He constantly strove to coax him out of his shell and convince him that he was valuable. Quatre worked tirelessly and cheerfully to make sure Trowa felt special, loved.

And Trowa had fallen so deeply in love with him it hurt to even think about. To know it was never meant to be. His destiny was never to be an equal to his beloved Prince. He was forever ordained to be a dark secret, a covert lover, a scandal that should never see the light of day. And he was okay with that, as okay as he could be. As long as he could still have Quatre.

He didn't know what would happen once the Prince was wed, no matter who it was to. He was at risk of being sent away, or killed depending on what his husband's wishes were. Both of their futures were uncertain and Trowa was terrified at the possibility of being separated from Quatre. 

Still, Quatre was the Prince and Trowa had to follow his lead. He'd successfully created a diversion long enough for Quatre to swipe the key to the dungeons and waited outside while Quatre went down to speak with the prisoners. He was apparently planning on letting them go regardless of what the Saian's decision was. The boys were scheduled to be executed at dawn and Quatre was determined to not let that happen.

Trowa didn't tell him, he knew Quatre already knew, that he would be pinpointed when it was discovered the prisoners were gone. Quatre told him he would take full responsibility. Trowa was loathe for that to happen, but there was no other way. Trowa would absolutely be executed. Quatre would be punished, but he wouldn't face death. He hated to think about what would happen to his Prince when they found out.

"I'll be fine, Trowa."

"They're going to hurt you!"

"Let them. I'm doing what must be done. Those boys don't deserve this and the people of Ghali do not deserve to be dragged into war. I must do this. It's the right thing."

Trowa was to either escort the Prince and the prisoners to the Imam for the wedding, or help them escape into the dense forests that surrounded Ghali, depending on what the prisoner agreed to. He leaned against the stone wall and looked up at the stars. He prayed though he wasn't sure what he was praying for. For the prisoner to say 'yes', for the prisoner to say, 'no', for the chance that things would change for the better and he could be the one to marry Quatre, he prayed for everything he could think of, every possible good outcome, as long as it ended with the safety of his Prince.

***

Quatre tiptoed down the stairs until he reached the lower levels and crept along the wall towards the cells where the boys were kept. He peered in though the bars and crouched down, trying to wake them with an urgent whisper. They didn't have much time. Either way, they'd have to act quickly. 

The boy with the black hair and ponytail jerked his head up and stared blearily through the bars. His eyes popped wide open when he realized he was looking at the Prince and he sat up quickly, his hand nudging the sleeping boy beside him.

"Heero. Heero! Wake up!"

"Whazzit..." Heero sat up much more slowly and blinked at his friend. He followed his line of vision and jumped when he saw the Prince on the other side of the bars. Quatre pressed his face closer. 

"We don't have much time. I have to get you out of here."

The brown haired boy eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you helping us?"

"Because it's the right thing to do. My servant's waiting outside. He's going to help you escape."

"Hell yes," the black-haired boy muttered, scrambling up on his knees. "There is a God."

But the other boy was still hesitant. "What's the catch?"

Quatre paused, looking guilty, and the black-haired boy threw up his hands and slouched back against the wall. "I knew it. I knew it was too good to be true."

Quatre shot them both a sympathetic look and swallowed down his anxiety. "Look, I'm going to let you go regardless, but...I have a proposition for you."

The brown-haired boy narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"I'm in a situation that I need to get out of. A betrothal. I'm set to marry him in less than a month and I can't do it -"

"It's that General, isn't it?" Though the prisoner's voice told Quatre he already knew that.

He nodded. "Yes. And in order to get out of this marriage, I have to marry. Someone else, I mean."

The black-haired boy leaned forward, his hands on his knees. "What are you asking exactly?"

Quatre huffed. Did he really have to spell it out for them? "I need someone else to marry. Tonight."

"Why are you telling us this?"

The brown-haired boy shot his friend a look. "Because he wants to marry one of us."

"What?!"

"Keep your voice down!" Quatre hissed, glancing over his shoulder. 

"So, you're telling us you'll let us go if one of us agrees to marry you."

"No, I'll let you go either way, but -"

"Fine. The answer is 'no'. Now let us go."

"Please hear me out. I know it's a tall order -"

"No shit."

"But it's my only shot at getting out of this marriage -"

"Just call it off." 

"I can't! That's the problem." Quatre realized how vastly different their world's were. The prisoners were peasants, but they were free. The didn't have to worry about being forced into marriages they didn't want. "I don't have a choice. And you've met him. You know what he's like. Please! I beg of you. Please help me get away from him."

The black-haired boy shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm already hitched and my love would murder me."

But Quatre was looking at the other boy. He lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes at the Prince. "What do I get out of this?"

"Heero!"

"Quiet, Wufei." He focused his steady gaze on the Prince. "What do I get for my troubles?"

Quatre's heart pounded. He was considering it! "What do you want?"

Heero leaned forward, as far as he could with the chains binding him to the wall. "I want the Ghalians' promise to leave my land, my people alone."

Quatre nodded. "I'll do what I can."

"No. Promise me."

He hesitated. He wasn't sure how much he could actually promise. Even married, he was still only the heir and he did not have control over the military yet. Still, once he took the throne, he and Heero would rule side by side and Sai would most assuredly be protected. He nodded again, vowing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

"Yes. Yes, I promise."

"Fine."

"Heero, have you lost your mind? This is a Ghalian! You want to marry a Ghalian?"

"If it protects our people, then yes. I will marry a Ghalian."

"Heero -"

"Enough, Wufei. I've made my decision." He nodded at the blond. "Let's do it."

Quatre sagged in relief. Thank God! He was saved! "Oh, Thank you! Thank you! I promise you won't regret it -"

"You'd better be able to keep that promise."

Quatre gulped and nodded, fumbling with the keys. He stood up and quickly unlocked the door and ran into the cell to release the chains, stepping back when they got up and shook out their arms. 

Wufei looked between the two of them. "So what now? Where are we going?"

"There's an Imam in the southern village. He's a friend. He will marry us. We must go there right away."

Wufei sputtered. "What...now?"

"There's no time to waste. The sooner we do this, the better."

Heero looked at him intently. "What about our conviction, our execution?"

Quatre nudged his chin at Wufei. "I can't do anything about his, but he's going home anyway. Yours is automatically overturned as soon as we're married."

Heero looked dubious. "You're sure about this?"

Quatre's feathers were ruffled at the boy's doubt, though he couldn't actually blame him. "Of course! I'm the Prince. I'm well-familiar with the law."

Heero stared at him, mulling it over, obviously not willing to blindly trust the Ghalian. Whatever he saw in Quatre's eyes must have convinced him. He gestured to the open cell door. "Lead the way."

They sneaked up through the stairwell and escaped through the doors at the back of the castle and spotted Trowa hidden by the shadows that the trees cast along the castle wall from the moonlight. Quatre snapped his fingers to get his attention and gave him the signal to distract the night watchers. Trowa nodded and released the wagon that had been rigged up along a ramp. Inside the wagon sat a dummy that Trowa and Quatre had stuffed with stolen hay from the stables. The effigy was mediocre at best, but in the dark, it served its purpose. The wagon rolled off the ramp and down through the courtyard, effectively distracting the guards who were keeping watch. They hollered at the dummy as it coasted across the castle grounds. 

The wagon crashed into a group of trees and tipped onto its side. The guards descended the stairs and Quatre turned to his companions and nodded. 

"Alright, let's go." Trowa tried to follow, but Quatre stopped him.

"No. Go back up to your chambers and wait for me. I don't want you getting caught."

"Quat - Your Highness, no! I can't leave you alone with -"

"Trowa." The servant clamped his mouth shut at the authoritative tone, looking subdued, but extremely worried. Quatre rested his hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be fine. Go. I'm not going to allow you to get caught. Go up there and wait for me. You know nothing about this, alright?"

"Quat -"

Heero stepped forward. "I promise. You have my word that we will not harm him."

Trowa shot him a glare, not trusting a Saian as far as he could spit.

Quatre kissed his cheek. "Go. Now. I'll be back soon."

Trowa turned away, feeling frustrated that he couldn't accompany Quatre. He glanced back over his shoulder, heart clenching as he watched them sprint across the courtyard, through the narrow stone passageway and out the rear of the castle and into the surrounding forest. 

"Be safe, my Prince. And come back soon. If those boys hurt you, I will kill them."

***

Quatre and the prisoners moved quickly through the forest. The guards had probably figured out by now that the 'intruder' was nothing but a dummy and were likely in the process of trying to identify who had created the diversion. It was also likely that they had figured out, or were probably going to figure out very soon that the prisoners were gone. He prayed Trowa reached his chambers safely and begged whoever was listening to keep him safe. 

Wufei cursed as he tripped over tree branches and grumbled, "Can't see a damned thing. I hope you know where you're going."

"I know exactly where I'm going. The Mosque isn't far now. I need you to witness the wedding. Once it's over, we'll escort you to the neutral zone between our borders. I trust you can find your way home from there?"

"What about Heero?"

"Heero will go back to the castle with me. He'll be protected by Ghalian law once he's my husband."

"I don't like this," the Saian muttered. 

Quatre turned to him. "Wufei, is it?" The boy nodded. "I can promise you nothing will happen to your friend. He will have equal status as me once we're married."

"Doesn't seem you have much status..."

Quatre sighed. "Well, I'm technically second in rank, but I am overpowered by my father's men, most namely my betrothed."

"Then what good are the laws going to do Heero?" Wufei's voice was shrill and Quatre hissed a firm ssh in the dark. 

"I'll be fine, Fei." Heero's voice spoke up. "I can take care of myself."

"And once I - we take the throne, I will see to it that Sai's soverignity is preserved and protected."

"Yes, but what happens before then?"

"I'll do everything I can. I promise. But I can assure you, if I'm forced to marry the General, Sai will be under constant threat of invasion."

"But you'll be the King, won't you?"

"I have a strong feeling that I won't have much, if any power if I end up wedding him. There's been rumors that he will kill my father and take over the kingdom."

"As King, wouldn't you be able to do anything about that?"

"I'm outnumbered. Out powered. My best chance - Sai's and Ghali's best chance is for Heero and I to join in union. He will have equal footing as me as the co-ruler of Ghali."

"But you could just do whatever it is you think your General is going to do once you're married."

Quatre glanced at him. "I know you have no reason to trust me, to trust a Ghalian, but there's no real motivation for me to ask Heero to marry me if that was my plan."

Wufei looked dubious, but kept his mouth shut. The Prince had a point there.

"Almost there," Quatre said. He glanced to his left. Heero, is soon-to-be husband, it was hard to believe this was actually happening, was very quiet. Quatre didn't blame him. He surely had a lot on his mind. "You sure you're okay with this?"

The boy looked at him. "Do I have a choice?"

Quatre shrugged. "About as much choice as I do, I suppose."

"Tell me more about this betrothal."

Quatre sighed. "It's...complicated. Basically, my father doesn't trust me to lead Ghali to strength and prosperity. He sent out an announcement telling the whole kingdom that he needed to marry me off and that I needed to wed the strongest and most capable man." He shook his head. "They went nuts, to put it bluntly. Fighting among each other like a bunch of animals. The General was my most aggressive pursuer. He's proven himself time and again that he is the most ruthless man in all of Ghali. My father chose him, despite my opposition. He's never listened to me."

Wufei eyed him. "You said you had a strong feeling that he did not intend to rule with you."

He nodded. "That's what I believe. He hasn't said as much, at least not to me, but people talk, you know? Rumors that he would assassinate my father once he married me and take the throne for himself have been circulating through the kingdom."

"Wouldn't that deter your father?"

Quatre barked out a humorless laugh. "You would think so, but I haven't seen any indication that it concerns him, so I really don't know."

Heero was staring intently at him. "So what happens to you if what you believe will happen happens?"

"It's anyone's guess, but my inkling tells me he would keep me as a concubine of sorts. He wants me. He doesn't love me, but he's always -" He cut himself off as memories from that morning came back to him. He really had no defenses against him. Once he was married and his father was gone, he'd be helpless and he would likely lose Trowa. The only friend and ally he had. 

The two Saians glanced at each other over his head before Wufei asked, "He's always what?"

"Nothing. We're here." He walked faster, not willing to discuss his violation at the hands of the Ghalian General with a couple of Saians. They walked up the stairs of the Mosque. As Quatre reached for the door handle, Heero stopped him. "We're not Muslim."

Quatre shot him a sharp look. "You are now." He swung the door open and stepped inside. "Rashid! Are you here?" It was silent for a moment and Heero was beginning to think the place was empty when an extremely large man stepped through a curtain near the back of the room. His eyes widened as he recognized his visitor.

"Your Highness!" He murmured with a reverent bow. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" Royalty showing up at this hour was unusual. The Prince showing up with two strangers, unheard of.

"I need you to marry us." He pointed to the boy beside him who lifted his hand in an awkward wave.

Rashid cocked his head in confusion. "Your Highness - well, what is the meaning behind this?"

"Rashid, please. I need your help. This is for the good of our people. I need to marry this boy. Right now. Can you help us?"

"Your Highness with all due respect, your father -"

"My father must respect the laws of the land. Will you help us, or do I have to leave Ghali permanently?"

The man's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "This must be serious."

"I wouldn't be here asking for this if it wasn't of the utmost importance."

The Imam stared at him, then at the two boys on either side of him. "Who are they?"

"This is Heero and Wufei. Heero is going to be my husband."

"They don't look Ghalian."

"They are not. Is that going to be a problem?"

Rashid looked deeply uncomfortable. "Well...they're not members of the -"

"Oh, come on, Rashid!"

"And you're going behind your father's back. Your father, the King, I might add..."

Quatre raised a brow. Rashid sagged, giant shoulders hunching in defeat. He raised his head to the ceiling and threw his hands up. "May Allah have mercy on my soul!" He glanced down at the boys. "Alright, get over here."

***

"This feels...odd," Quatre said, sitting down on the stone ledge outside the Mosque. He took the proffered cup of mulled wine from Rashid and lifted it to his lips before he thought better of it and clinked the cup against Heero's. "Cheers." Heero gave him a strange look. Quatre smiled and took a drink. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Heero looked down at his cup, swirling the wine around. "I didn't think I'd ever get married."

Quatre looked surprised. "You didn't?"

Wufei shook his head. His lips were stained red from the wine after he downed half his cup. "Heero is immensely stubborn, not to mention finicky," he said fondly. "He's turned down so many potential candidates." He smiled. "Who knew you were holding out for a Prince."

Quatre laughed softly, but sobered up after a minute. He looked at Heero as he sat down on the ledge next to him. "I really am sorry it came to this."

Heero stared at him with an unreadable expression before he shook his head. "It was my choice."

"Only because you wish to protect your people."

"I saw an opportunity for everlasting peace and I took it. Still, I could have said no." He tipped his cup up to his lips. 

"Marriage is never easy," murmured Rashid. "You both are still young. There is no need to rush into anything. Get to know each other, become friends -"

"Become friends with a Ghalian?" Wufei whistled. "I think you're reaching for the stars there." He winked and Heero snorted, eyeing his friend. 

"Are you drunk?"

Wufei shrugged. "Maybe a little. It's a celebration. You're married, but even better, we're free from that dungeon." He glanced up at Quatre. "I want to thank you for that."

Quatre shifted, a little uncomfortably. "You don't need to thank me. It was the right thing to do. I didn't buy the General's story for a minute."

"Tell me more about him," Heero insisted.

"What's there to tell? He's a tyrant. A vicious, sadistic man who is obsessed with me and with taking the throne." He set his cup down and pulled his knees up to his chest. "He's been trying to bed me since the beginning of our betrothal, but I - I didn't want to. I knew I would have to on our wedding night, but I wanted to hold it off until then if it was possible." He looked up at Rashid and the man gave him a sympathetic look. 

Heero was pretty sure he knew where this was going. "He refused to wait, didn't he?"

Quatre squeezed his eyes shut. "He attacked me this morning. As punishment for humiliating him in front of his men. In front of you."

Wufei cursed and slammed his cup down. "And this is the man leading your army?"

Quatre nodded. "Yes. I tried to tell them that executing you would start a war with Sai. I think that's what he wants. If he married me, he'd take the throne and surely lead the two nations to war."

Wufei looked at Heero with wide eyes. "So you may have just single-handedly saved our kingdom."

Heero's brows dipped down. "The King is alive and still in power." He looked at Quatre who nodded solemnly. 

"As long as he's King, tensions will continue, I fear. But with our shared positions, we may have more standing diplomatically."

"You've taken the first step in bridging the gap," Wufei said. 

"That's what I hope to accomplish. Still, it will not be easy."

"And you're sure they're not going to hurt Heero."

"They can't. Legally."

"Technically they can't cross the border, or claim neutral zones as their own, but they're doing it."

"I know. But Heero is a Prince now. Killing royalty is abominable. It's something my father would never attempt. He respects the laws of the monarchy too much."

"But Treize doesn't."

"Treize is my father's lap dog. Once he had access to the throne, that would have changed, but for now, he follows the rules."

"I hope you're right about that." Wufei shot Heero a wry grin. "So you're a Prince."

Heero chuckled. "I don't feel any different."

"Duo is never going to believe me."