Title: Do You Believe in Fairies? Pt. 3/?

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: They aren’t mine, though I am having sooooooo much fun writing them!

Warnings: same as before blah blah blah

Pairings: yeup, those haven’t changed either! ~_^

Rating: and it’s PG-13 again!!

Note: AH, everyone is like, so enthusiastic about this! Thank you so much! (I’d list all the reviewers’ names, buuuuuut I think we should get to the story, ne?) It’s so hard remembering all of the mythical creatures…*whines*

Feedback: MUCH LOVED!

‘thoughts’

Duo sighed softly as he looked up at the sky. After having dealt with the satyrs (and that was a loose term, seeing as they constantly had wanted to drink and make merry), they had finally traveled into the land of the Sprites and Brownies, close relatives of Duo and his people.  Looking around at the land he had only visited twice, Duo smirked. ‘Wonder if any of my cousins will show up for some trickery.’

“Duo?” Quatre’s soft voice broke through the longhaired man’s thoughts.

Turning to the blond, Duo smiled. “Yes, Quatre?” he asked softly.

Quatre looked down and murmured, “Back in the Valley of the Gryphons….he said you were…” He trailed off and bit his lip as they walked along.

Duo smiled softly. “That I’m a…prince? Is that what you are trying to ask about?” he asked gently and Quatre nodded quickly, a slight blush on his cheeks.  Duo sighed softly. “Yes…it’s true. I am a prince of the fairy kingdom,” he confirmed, looking ahead as they walked past a flowing stream.

Quatre wrung his hands slightly as he asked, “Why are you on this mission, Duo?”

Duo’s eyes saddened as his jaw clenched. “Do you really wish to know, Quatre?” he asked quietly, his violet gaze turning and locking with the upturned aquamarine gaze of the blond.  Quatre nodded silently, a pleading look in his eyes for the truth.  Duo looked away again as he began, “Very well. Yes, I am Prince Duo of the Fairy Kingdom, second to the King, my brother Heero.  A few weeks ago, the land of the Warlocks started its invasion of my home. They had allied themselves with the Goblins, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ghouls and Gremlins also joined that side. My brother, whom I love most dearly, sent me on this quest to find our one hope for salvation.”

Quatre’s eyes widened as he listened then whispered softly, “What is it?”

Duo bit his lip. “I am to find the Dragon Wizard and ask him to tell me where I may find the Unicorn Child,” he revealed, then looked down. He sometimes felt like losing hope…his goal seemed so far away….

Quatre said nothing for a minute, and then asked, “Who is this…Unicorn Child?”

Duo laughed softly. “If I knew who he or she was, then I’d not have to go on this forsaken trip!” he said almost bitterly. He glanced over at Quatre and smiled softly as he saw the serious, yet kind look on his companion’s face. “It is said that the Child is an innocent being that was born of Unicorns, yet is humanoid. It is also said that the Child holds great power and will grant aid to those who are pure of heart and soul. My brother thinks I am one such and has sent me on this trip because of that faith,” he murmured softly and sighed again, looking away.

He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and looked into warm aquamarine eyes. “He is right, Duo. You are indeed a pure soul,” Quatre whispered quietly, smiling warmly.

Duo smiled doubtfully. “But…will it be enough, I wonder…” he mumbled and sighed again.  He looked away as they walked in silence, and then blinked as he felt a warm hand gently clasp his own in a warm grip. He looked down to see Quatre’s slender fingers twining with his reassuringly and smiled.  He looked ahead again, and then tilted his head, hearing soft tinkling laughter. Smirking, he looked around and laughed as twinkling lights floated towards them, mingling with the delighted laughter coming from them.

Quatre watched the lights with wide eyes, bemused. As the tiny creatures came closer to them, he could see the smiling faces and the tiny wings that fluttered almost to invisibility.  The tiny lights fluttered over to them, giggling lightly, their sounds like those of delicate windchimes.  Blinking in delight at the fragile creatures, Quatre held his hand up, holding his breath as one of the tiny sprites sat delicately on his fingers. She smiled up at him, cooing softly as they looked at each other. She stood up gracefully, her slight wings fluttering slightly to hold her balance as she walked down along his hand and up his arm. Fluttering lightly, she floated up to the delighted blond man’s shoulder and cooed again, sitting down and snuggling his cheek.

Smiling delightedly as he saw how his cousins were taking to his traveling companion, Duo returned his attention to the cooing sprites that tugged at his hair. “Hey there…you shouldn’t do that…” he chided gently, grinning as they giggled and flittered up to his shoulders, cuddling him. His cousins the sprites were always such loving and tender creatures, enjoying the simplicities of life from all around them in playful joy. They flitted up, swiftly fluttering between the two men, their tinkling laughter floating through the forest as they tried to get the two travelers to stop and play. Duo sighed softly in regret, a sad smile on his lips, as he murmured, “I’m sorry, little ones. We can’t stay for very long.” 

They cooed in disappointment, their wings wilting in sadness as they alighted on the two men’s shoulders.  Quatre smiled sadly as well as he suggested, “Maybe we could visit later?” They perked up instantly, nodding in delight as they cooed and chirped.

“Actually…the Queen wishes to see you now,” a small voice informed them from the tree next to them.

Duo visibly stiffened as they both turned to the voice. Quatre looked around in confusion, and then blinked as several little men dressed in rats’ skins walked out from the trees.  They gazed solemnly at the two travelers, bows drawn with arrows in them, yet not notched. The intricate tattoos that covered the little ones intrigued Quatre, but he said nothing as he gazed at the brownies.  Duo looked at the leader as he stepped forward. “Why does my cousin Queen Celendria wish to talk to us?” he asked warily. He got along fine with the Queen…but in this day and age, trust was not so easily won or shown.

The brownie bristled slightly. “If Queen Celendria wishes to speak with her royal cousin of the Fairies, she doesn’t need a reason,” he responded haughtily, pointing his weapon at the two. “Come with us now,” he commanded. The sprites cooed in distress, then giggled and flittered up, coaxing the two travelers to follow them.

Duo sighed and looked at Quatre. “Well…guess we really have no choice,” he stated, trying to smile.

Quatre looked at him worriedly. “Yes, I suppose not. We best hurry,” he replied and they followed their tiny guides.

Smiling in wonder at the sight that beheld them, Quatre sighed softly. “It’s so lovely!” he whispered as they came upon the crystalline castle. Duo smirked and said nothing, thinking of his own castle back home. The spires of crystal towered into the air like age-old trees, glinting with the sunlight in rainbow beauty. The trees surrounding the fragile seeming castle stood protectively around it, guarding it in nature’s way.  “I hear that there are enchantments and that anyone who enters never returns,” Quatre murmured reverently as they stared up at the monstrous gates.

Laughing softly, Duo grinned at his companion. “Nay, that’s only a tale the brownies spread to guard their borders better. If it weren’t there, then any ill wisher would be at the gateway and causing trouble. The sprites and brownies are rather protective of their privacy,” he said reassuringly as he grinned at the blond.

Grinning back, Quatre nodded at his friend, and then looked back up at the majestic walls as they entered them. “Such beauty. I know why they would wish to protect it. I’d protect it myself,” he declared softly in wonder.

“Thank you for such kind words, Quatre of the trails.” A soft melodic voice floated down to them as they walked through the courtyard and they looked up in surprise. Gliding down the stairways of the castle, a graceful woman smiled down at them. Her long auburn hair rivaled that of Duo’s, cascading down around her body in rippling waves as she watched. Delicate wings glimmered underneath her hair, shimmering with gold and silver veins as they shifted. Her pure white dress flowed around her, long silk trailing from her arms as she walked with stately grace and faced them. Her gentle face was creased in a delighted smile as her sharp green eyes took in their appearance.  “Welcome, my cousin and his companion to my kingdom,” she greeted them lyrically as she gazed at them, gesturing a welcome with her delicate hand.

Both men knelt before her, bowing their heads. “We thank you, my cousin,” Duo replied solemnly before they stood up again. He smiled slightly at her as he said, “I apologize for my lack of visiting. As well as the circumstances for which we must enter into your sacred forests and bring danger to you and your children.” His face twisted with regret and sorrow.

She smiled softly at him. “Nay, cousin. We are glad that we could help you. And do not worry yourself over the trifles of the evil that come after you. Only those pure of heart and goodness can cross these borders. No matter how powerful they are. The Huntsman and his aides will not follow you through here and will have to follow another route. That should earn you some extra time. You were indeed wise to cross through our lands,” Celendria replied kindly.

Duo smiled slightly. “Yes, hopefully. But there is still danger to you, cousin. Treize’s forces gain strength with each passing day. We dare not wait any more. I just hope the Wizard can help us,” he murmured softly, looking down at his clenched fist.

Celendria smiled sadly at her relative and his companion. “All is not lost. The Unicorn Child will indeed help us…I am sure of it,” she stated confidently, her green eyes locked upon Quatre as she said this, a secret smile on her lips.  Quatre blinked up at her, somewhat bewildered, but he didn’t get a chance to ask what she meant as she looked over at Duo. “My cousin. Mayhaps a scrying of your brother will give you hope?” she asked softly, gesturing vaguely towards the gardens.

Eyes alight with hope, Duo smiled. “That would be most longed for, my cousin. I thank you,” he replied softly, bowing his head regally.

She nodded and turned, heading down the pathway she had just pointed out, surrounded by her sprites as they fluttered around her eagerly. Quatre looked over at Duo in confusion, but only received a reassuring smile in return. Shrugging, the blond followed his companion and the Queen down the trail that was heavily covered by drooping tree branches until they came to a shadowed clearing. In the center stood several stone pillars in a circle with a smaller pillar in the center. A small basin stood on the pillar, a hidden waterfall dripping its cool contents into the basin, yet never overflowing it.  Quatre gazed in wonder at the site, noticing the serene setting as he stood back and watched Duo and Celendria walk over to the basin. “Look into the basin, my cousin…and see the kingdom you long for and your brother,” the Queen instructed softly as she looked at Duo.

Duo nodded and leaned in, gazing into the watery mirror silently.  The surface reflected his face for but a moment then shimmered as if touched. His eyes widened as he gazed at the scene shown to him. He watched as his people battled valiantly against the Warlocks, their screams of pain mercifully silent from the scrying. He saw his brother urging them to fight, casting his spells along with them. He gasped softly in pain as he saw his brother get shot with an arrow, falling to the ground in pain as he clutched the evil striker within his chest. Biting his lip as he watched, Duo saw his brother get up, the fire of anger and determination strong in his cobalt gaze. He watched as the remaining soldiers of his people were called back in retreat, and then sobbed softly as the vision faded with the image of their fleeing into the mountains to the south.

Duo sobbed softly as he sank to his knees, his bloodless fingers clutching the pillar as if for support. “Failed…my brother, I have failed…you are lost….” He sobbed softly as he saw the images over and over again. The Queen and her people watched sorrowfully as their cousin grieved.

Suddenly, Duo felt strong arms enfold him and his face was held near a strong beating heart. He looked up into the determined, yet kind face of Quatre. “No Duo…you haven’t failed. WE haven’t failed. We still have time. We won’t let your people or your brother down,” Quatre stated softly, his gaze softened with unknown emotion.

Duo stared up at the blond, both surprised and wary. “But Quatre…you don’t have to…” he started, but was then cut off by a slender pale finger to his lips.

Smiling gently, Quatre whispered, “I want to, Duo. Let me be with you, at your side. We will succeed and save your people. Then we can bring light and goodness back to the lands.”

Feeling his eyes well up with more tears, Duo could only nod and bury his face into the strong shoulder of his friend and companion. Quatre smiled gently as he held him close, rocking him gently as he sobbed softly in anguish at what he had seen.  Calming after a few minutes, Duo leaned up and smiled softly at the blond, leaning into the gentle caress that wiped his tears away. Smiling back, Quatre nodded, then stood up, and helping the fairy prince to his feet.

Celendria nodded and smiled in approval as she stepped forward. “Brave seekers….you shall indeed succeed if you believe in yourselves and each other. But, you will need some aid in this journey. My cousin, you lost your staff, did you not?” she asked softly and smiled as Duo nodded sadly. Her hand came up, glowing gently with a soft pearl glow, and a staff appeared. It was all black with white twined around it. Gold and silver flecked the black and white like starlight and a deep lapis lazuli stone crowned the top of the staff, surrounded by golden spirals. “This staff I give to you, my cousin. It holds as much if not more power than your own previous one. It is called Shinigami,” she declared solemnly.

Duo gasped in shock as he heard the name before hesitantly taking the offering. “But….I thought Shinigami was but a legend?” he exclaimed softly as he gazed at the staff.

Smiling as she shook her head, Celendria replied, “Nay, it is indeed very real…and very powerful. Use it wisely, my cousin.” Duo nodded firmly in reassurance and then she turned to Quatre. “You, who are the companion to the prince. You too shall receive a gift,” she declared smilingly, then reached around her neck. Walking forward, she brought forward a pendant that gleamed in the dim sunlight that penetrated the shadowed clearing, reflecting off of gold and emerald.  Quatre gasped softly as he gazed upon the beautiful pendant as it was hung around his neck.  The long silver and gold twined chain held a pendant that was in the shape of a sphere, the setting being held securely by what appeared to be a dragon’s claw. “This is the Dragon’s Tear. It holds within it great healing powers. Use it very carefully, for within the wrong hands it could be fatal, like any magic,” she instructed softly, then leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to the golden crown. 

Quatre smiled up at her brightly, his hand coming up to caress the green and gold swirled gem before dropping back down. “I’m honored for having this. I won’t let you down,” he stated softly, determination filling his eyes.

She smiled back at him as she stepped back. “My children will guide you out of our forests to the land of the Centaurs. You have a long journey yet ahead and many trials as of such. But if you believe in each other and yourselves, you won’t fail. Be careful though. My senses tell me that the warlock king, Treize, already has a foothold near the Dragon Valley, though I am not sure on this. Even I have not seen the great Valley nor met any of their kind. I can not tell you thusly what else to expect,” she warned them and they nodded, smiling assuredly.

“Do not fear, my cousin. We shall succeed, if only to bring light back to this world,” Duo replied softly, his hand clutching the staff in determination.  Quatre nodded in agreement, smiling as he glanced over at the longhaired man.

Celendria nodded as well, smiling gently as she came over and embraced them both. “Go carefully and may the wings of the wind be with you,” she proclaimed softly, solemnly.

Nodding, the two travelers once more began their journey towards the Hidden Valley of the Dragons, filled with both determination and trepidation of what was to come.

TBC

Anyone else recognize the little ‘Willow’ hints?? ~_^

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