Quatre tucked the scroll that announced the marriage between himself and the Saian under his arm as the newlyweds headed back towards the castle. They'd led Wufei through the forest to the neutral zone, close to where the two had been caught. Quatre hung back, allowing them some privacy to say goodbye to each other, not wanting to intrude any more than he already had.
"When are you going to come back, or are you coming back?"
"I don't know." Heero glanced back at Quatre, then turned to his friend, his expression almost guilty.
Wufei threw up his hands, exasperated. "What am I going to tell everyone? Duo's going to kill me!"
"Duo will understand. It might be after he kills you, but he'll understand."
"Har har, Yuy. I liked you better when you had no sense of humor."
Heero placed a hand on Wufei's shoulder. "I don't know what's going to happen when we get back to the castle. I'm sure I will come back at some point, even if I don't stay. I don't really know how any of this is going to go. But, I'll try to send a messenger out to you to let you know how I'm doing."
Wufei shook his head. "This has been the strangest week I've ever had."
Heero chuckled. "I'm in full agreement with you."
Wufei's eyes glittered in the moonlight, but they were undoubtedly sober. "You watch your back now. Don't forget, Prince status, or not, you are a Saian among Ghalians. They will stab you in the back given the chance."
"I'll be careful. Give Duo and everyone my love and hopefully I'll see you soon."
"I'm going to hold you to that." Wufei pulled his friend into his arms and hugged him. He whispered against his ear, a mournful hitch in his breath, "Don't forget where you came from. Don't forget about us."
Heero embraced him, said fiercely, "Never. Once a Saian, always a Saian." He kissed Wufei's cheek and stepped away, watching as his friend turned towards the meadow and began wading through the tall grass towards their village. Wufei glanced back only once, his eyes landing on Quatre.
"If anything happens to him, I'll be the first one to seek Ghalian blood."
Quatre dipped his chin, a show of respect. "I wouldn't expect any less."
Wufei looked at Heero one last time and turned back around, disappearing into the trees. Quatre and Heero headed in the opposite direction. The sky was lightening up a bit, indicating dawn wasn't too far away. They walked in silence for some time before Heero asked the burning question.
"How exactly are you going to explain this to your father?" He glanced over at Quatre, his husband, and how strange was that? He was married now. To Ghalian royalty, no less. When had his life taken such a peculiar turn? A week ago he'd set out to hunt the Silver Ducks with Wufei and now he was neck deep in a marriage contract.
Quatre huffed, the sound somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. "I'm just going to tell him the truth. You're my husband now. It's the way it is."
"What about the General?"
He blew out a breath and was quiet for a few minutes. "He's going to be furious."
"With me."
"Probably more with me. I'm the one that initiated all of this. Took what he'd been working so hard to gain away from him. I should tell you now, I'm likely going to be punished for this."
"Punished?"
Quatre nodded. "Don't be surprised if I'm limping for a while."
"But...you're the Prince! Why would they punish you?"
"Well, for starters, I broke you and your friend out of the dungeons, then I married you, a Saian." He shook his head, seemingly as blown away by that fact as Heero was. "I defied my father's wishes and ruined the aspirations he had for Ghali."
Heero was beginning to realize that having privilege didn't necessarily mean you had a good life. "Then they'll probably punish me, too."
To his surprise, Quatre shook his head. "No, I don't think so. All you did was agree to the arrangement. They won't like you, but it's me they're going to be furious with."
Heero voiced the other concern that was on his mind. "Are we expected to..." he trailed off, blushing. He wasn't generally opposed to the idea. Quatre was certainly attractive, beautiful even. The thought had occurred to him and he wasn't repulsed by it. But he refused to be forced into it. There was also the fact that he'd never even been with anyone before. He had no idea how to go about it.
Thankfully, Quatre picked up on his trepidation. "Oh, no! No. We don't have to do that."
"But, don't we have to consummate the marriage, or something?"
"It's preferred, but it's not required. You are not obligated in any way to bed me. I don't expect it from you, so don't worry."
Heero's shoulders sagged in relief and he studiously ignored the twinge of disappointment. He had entered into an agreement and he was going to see it through to the best of his ability, so long as Quatre didn't stab him in the back. He had the distinct impression that the Prince was not like that. That he was nothing like the Ghalians he'd seen, or heard about. He only hoped his instincts were right. He reluctantly admitted that he'd already begun to like the boy. He did free them and he really hadn't forced Heero into this arrangement. He just prayed it wasn't a decision he would come to regret.
They reached the castle and both froze obediently when the guards hollered down at them, holding their hands up to show they weren't armed. Quatre lifted his head, showing his face. "Let us in."
"Your Highness!"
"Open the doors."
The doors opened and several guards rushed out, intent on seizing Heero, apparently under the impression that their Prince was a hostage. Quatre quickly stepped in front of him and held his arms out.
"Stand down!"
"Your Highness -"
"He is no longer a prisoner, or a convict. He is my husband. You will treat him as such."
The guards were rooted to the ground, shock evident on their faces.
"Your Highness?"
Quatre pulled the scroll out of his tunica and waved it in front of their faces. "Signed and sealed by an Imam. We are wed. Lower your weapons and let us through. Now."
The guards glanced at each other, eyes wide, and reluctantly stepped to the side. Quatre turned to Heero. "Let's go."
A little gobsmacked, Heero stepped inside the castle amidst a ripple of shocked whispers and murmurs. He couldn't help the rush of smug satisfaction. That's right, you bastards. Ghali has a new Prince and he's a Saian peasant. I hope you choke on your tongues. He kept his chin high and his eyes forward as he walked beside his husband and tried to pretend he had more confidence than he actually did. Quatre spoke as they walked up the grand three-story staircase.
"I must speak to my father."
"I figured."
"You will come in with me."
Heero sputtered. "But -"
"You are equal to me in rank now. You have not had your coronation yet, but you are still a Prince. What's mine is yours."
Heero still hadn't wrapped his head around that yet. He supposed it would take a while to get used to the idea. "I'm going to have a coronation?"
Quatre gave him an incredulous look. "Of course you are!"
Heero stared ahead, deep in thought. Well, that was something he didn't expect. Was he going to get one of those fancy robes? A crown? He turned to Quatre and caught the blond smirking at him knowingly. He quirked a brow. "What?"
"You're wondering what your coronation will be like, aren't you?"
"Well...yes."
Quatre chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough."
Heero followed him through several hallways and stopped in front of numerous double doors, watching in amazement when they were all opened without question and with a respectful bow. This was unreal! So this was how the other half lived. His eyes drank in the sight of gold trim, crystal chandeliers, marble floors, Thirty foot ceilings. Opulence unlike anything he'd ever seen before. He was awestruck. He glanced at Quatre and gave him a once-over. The Prince's clothing was made from high quality silks and muslin, draped elegantly around his body like it was made for him. Heero assumed it probably was. His eyes caught sight of the gold and silver bands that wound around his slender upper arms, the shining gold of his belt, the jewels that draped his neck and the delicate circlet that adorned his head, also jeweled. Would he dress like that from now on? He was surprised to actually find himself a little excited by the prospect.
They stopped in front of another set of doors, made of rich cedar wood, trimmed in gold, and intricately carved by a loving hand in elegant scrolls. Quatre reached down and pulled the brass handle, swinging the door open and stepping inside. Heero hesitated when he realized this was obviously someone's personal chambers, even more hesitant when he realized it was the personal chambers of the King of Ghali. Quatre may have said he should follow him in, but he was still reticent. Even if he was welcomed with open arms, which he doubted, it would still be painfully awkward and he really didn't wish to make his first impression with his father-in-law by barging into his bedroom.
He lingered in the doorway, listening to the sound of Quatre's voice rising in anger and the answering angry voice of an older man. Heero scratched his head and wondered what to do with himself, glancing around desperately for something to do. He decided the vase of flowers on a nearby pedestal needed an adjustment and wandered over. He fiddled with the bouquet, rearranging stalks of lilies and eucalyptus, glad to have some meager task to keep his trembling hands busy. He heard the tell-tale sound of footsteps behind him and turned, coming face to face with General Treize himself. The two stared at each other with wide eyes before Treize's face contorted into an expression of outrage.
"What in the seven Hells are you doing up here?" He roared and Heero could have sworn a gust of wind blew past his head from the force of the outburst. He glanced around frantically when he heard the shiiink of a sword being removed from its sheath, looking for something to defend himself with. He ducked quickly as the blade flew over his head, slicing the tips of his hair off. There was an indignant shout and a moment later, Quatre came flying out of the King's chambers, the King close on his heels.
"Stop, Treize! Stop!" He leaped up and grabbed the man's arm. Treize easily shook him off and took another swing, the blade just grazing the shell of Heero's ear. Quatre shoved the General, not hard enough to disarm him, but enough to make him lose his footing for a second. Enough time to allow Heero to lunge for the sword. The two wrestled with it before Heero delivered a sharp kick to the vulnerable spot on the outside of the General's thigh. Treize shouted as his knee bent inwards and he stumbled, his hand loosening on the hilt just enough for Heero to wrench it out of his grip. He leaned back as Treize reached for his neck, his hands outstretched, murder written all over his face. Heero swung his arm around and leveled the sword against his neck, his eyes making clear that he would use it if the General saw fit to make the wrong move.
Treize was smart enough to freeze in place as the blade rested against his jugular. In his peripheral vision, Heero could see Quatre looking at him in shock, but didn't dare take his eyes off the General. Quatre straightened up and turned to Treize, his voice lowering with authority.
"Don't you ever make a move like that against my husband again."
Treize's eyes slid from Heero to his betrothed, nearly bugging out of his head. "Excuse me?"
Quatre held up the scroll. "You heard me. We are wed. He is now my husband. He is no longer a prisoner and you will treat him as such."
Heero watched as the General's face went from flushed to beet red, his eyes watering as his expression went from astonishment to pure rage. He shifted, very slowly, towards the Prince, his eyes narrowing dangerously, his voice deceptively quiet. "What?"
Quatre smiled at him, his eyes uncharacteristically vicious. "Our engagement is over."
Treize glanced up at the King, eyes huge, uncomprehending. The King stared back with equal anger, but he nodded his head. He couldn't deny it. His son and the peasant were legally married, sanctioned by a holy man. "It's true. They are married."
Treize looked between the three of them, beyond words. His body shook, minute tremors that emanated from his body in waves of fury. He turned on Quatre, hand raising as his finger trembled in front of the Prince's face. He sputtered, "You - you whore!"
"Hey," Heero said in a low voice. It was quiet, but tinged with the threat of violence. "You will not speak to the Prince that way."
Treize sneered at him. "Oh, I see. You think you're top dog around here now that you've married our Prince?" His hands curled into fists, teeth clenching. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear. You are a peasant. You will always be a peasant. No marriage, no coronation will ever change that. You will always be nothing. A cur. A lowly, savage, infidel -"
"Enough!" Quatre shouted, loud enough to pause the General's tirade. He stepped up to Treize, looking up at him while somehow still looking down at him. He was so tiny, but so full of authority. "You have no standing here. You can do nothing to us."
"Don't be so sure about that," Treize growled.
"The only thing you have left to do is break the law and if you break the law, my father has no choice but to take you into custody. Don't you, Father?" He turned to look at the King, challenge in his gaze. The King glared down at his son, twitching in anger. Quatre raised a brow.
"You are obligated to follow the law, are you not?"
The King stared back, silent. Heero could have sworn steam was billowing from his ears. His eyes were icy as he regarded his son. "You will be punished for going behind my back," he spat.
Quatre lifted his chin. "So be it. I'll take my punishment as it's my duty. As long as you perform your duties."
The King spoke through clenched teeth. "Sixteen lashes. One for every year you have made my life miserable. In the town square. At dawn. Given by General Treize." He spun on his heel and stormed back into his chambers, slamming the doors closed behind him.
Quatre turned to Treize. The General smirked down at him, now with an air of superiority. "You heard him." He leaned in until his face was an inch from Quatre's. The Prince didn't move, or flinch as the General hissed, "I'm going to make it hurt. I'm going to make you scream."
Quatre stared back, heart pounding, but refusing to let his trepidation show. He curled his lip. "I would expect nothing less from a snake like you," he said.
Treize straightened back up, shooting Heero one last glare. Heero flipped the sword around, clutching the blade, the hilt pointed in Treize's face. He snarled and grabbed it, shoving it back in its sheath and turned, walking down the corridor, disappearing around the corner. The young newlyweds looked at each other and Quatre made a helpless gesture, momentarily speechless. Heero's face was uneasy, reflecting his concern for what would happen at dawn. Quatre gave him as reassuring a smile as he could, though Heero could see the anxiety in his eyes.
Quatre chuckled bitterly. "Welcome to the family."