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Pain surged up her leg and radiated from the wound in her side. How long had she been running? Sweat dripped down her brow from exertion as she fought her way through the forest underbrush. She had to get away; to make her way back somehow and inform her brother of the treachery! If only she had listened to him and stayed home!
"Milliard, I'm going for my morning ride." Her brother looked up from his paperwork and frowned.
"I would rather you not, Relena. Relations with Northmanshire have worsened as of late."
"I know, brother, but I have not left the castle for days! I need some fresh air!"
"We have gardens for a reason."
"Milliard, please?" She walked to his desk and knelt down, taking his hand in hers. "I know you want to protect me, but I won't go far and I won't be long. Please brother?"
"I think she should go, Zechs." Her sister-in-law spoke up, using his nickname from his military training days.
"Noin, don't encourage her."
"I will take whatever protection you deem necessary with me, if only you'd say yes." After a long moment, her brother sighed.
"Very well. But be sure to take Marie with you. Alex and Mueller will be your guards."
"Thank you, Milli!" She nearly jumped in excitement, hugged him, and all but ran from the room.
If any of them had known the true allegiance of her guards, others would have certainly been chosen and Alex and Mueller rotting in the dungeon. Relena cursed her foolishness.
Another sharp pain, this time from the wound in her side, caused her vision to blur. Relena shook herself and kept moving in spite of her leg's continuous protest. Her beloved horse had been an unfortunate casualty of the betrayal, an arrow finding it home in the proud animal's neck. He fell, throwing her clean off the saddle. She had no way of knowing what had happened to Marie, but she feared the worst. Alex and Mueller were not likely to leave a witness alive. Another sharp pain shot up her leg, and this time, the pain was too much to bear. She all but fell into a small clearing where she pressed herself desperately against a tree for support. Her hand clutched over her heart as she gasped for breath. She knew she hadn't run far enough. It would not take long for Alex and Mueller to find her and then…
The sound of the leaves rustling nearby drew her attention. A small creature rustled around in the foliage.
"A fox!" She noted, surprised. He was a fox the likes of which she had never seen. He stared up at her, deep blue eyes telling her to keep her distance. His fur was the typical coppery red except for atop his head where it was dark brown and tousled. He looked as wild and untameable as the forest itself.
'I wonder why he has not run away.' She looked more carefully than before and found that the unfortunate creature had been caught in a hunter's snare. She frowned.
"You poor thing. It seems as though our fortunes have been nearly the same. We both await those who hunt us to finish their handiwork." She had to help him get away. Careful not to put more pressure on her ankle than necessary, she began to lower herself down to him. "I'm so sorry this happened." He recoiled as she reached out her hand, snarling at her.
"It's alright, little one. I mean you no harm." She reached out again. "Let me free you from this snare." Almost as if he understood her, he seemed to relax. As her fingers made contact with the coarse fur, he shivered. She made quick work of the simple knot. "There you go." As his leg freed, he jumped back and licked the area. She smiled before another shot of pain coursed through her. She hissed in plain and leaned back against the tree. Freeing him had taken what little strength she had left. She closed her eyes, tears threatening to spill.
'At least I did not make it easy on them' she looked down at the fox who had, surprisingly, not run away.
"What's wrong?" She tried to stifle a soft groan. "You should go." She knew there was no hope of her getting out alive, but he still could.
"Please, little fox… Go." He continued to stare at her. "At least one of us can survive this night." She saw his ears prick up and he looked around. He could hear them.
"They'll be here soon." In Spite of her pain, she smiled. "The day started out so beautifully. I went out riding; my brother hates it when I do, but it just makes me feel so… free." She looked down at him. "I know you probably don't understand a word I say but it makes me feel better to think that you can." He suddenly took the hem of her skirt in his mouth and began to tug.
“What is it?" He tugged, let go and motioned with his head. "You… want me to try and run?” She could have sworn he nodded before he yipped at her. Almost as if... “You do understand me!" He nodded again and she wondered, briefly, if the pain had made her delirious. Despite his encouragement, she could not do as he bade.
“I can't, little one. I’m sorry.” She closed her eyes and leaned back. “I tried to outrun them. I tried to escape, but I’m so tired… I don’t think I even have the strength to stand…” The voices were too close. It was too late. She looked at him and offered a smile to try and fool him.
"I'm sorry, little fox. Please, leave. Leave and live a long life." He growled low and then gave what seemed like a whimper.
"Princess! Come out, come out wherever you are!" Alex called out his taunt. The fox turned in the direction of the voice and growled.
"Go!" Relena called softly, but the fox did not move. The bushes in front of her parted and Alex and Mueller stared down at her, satisfied smirks on their faces.
"Well, well, look what we found, Mueller."
"Looks like a royal pain to me."
"You mean a royal in pain." Alex answered. "And look! She's got a little friend!" The fox snarled.
"Leave him alone!" She warned them. Alex laughed.
"Relax, we don't care about him." He smirked. "I suppose the kind thing to do would be to finish what we started and put her out of her misery." Relena continued to stare up at them, her head held as high as she could.
"If you cowards are going to kill me, then do it. Listening to your stupidity hurts more than my injuries."
"Such harsh words, your highness." Alex spat. "But you're right. We should kill you quickly. The sooner we take your body back to King Zechs, the sooner we can start this war!" Relena gasped.
"War?" She shifted, trying to get to her feet only to be stopped by the pain.
"Yeah. We were paid by the king of Hallandria to kill you to start a war. We're going to frame Northmanshire for it so Sanq will declare war."
"I don't understand." Relena's head swam. It made no sense. "Why war?"
"We weren't paid to ask questions." Mueller grinned. "But we were paid to kill you. So, you know…" he grabbed out a hunting knife and reached down for her. Before his hand could near her, however, her brave little fox jumped up and latched his jaws around Mueller's wrist.
"Damn animal!" Mueller withdrew his hand, the fox removing his jaws. As her friend landed on the ground, however, Alex lashed out, kicked him in the side and sent him tumbling behind the bushes.
"No!" Relena prayed her fox was alright; that he would survive whatever wound he received.
"Good riddance." Mueller babied his hand. Her Fox's teeth did a lot of damage. She smiled in spite of everything. "Now. Back to business."
"Any last words, princess?" Before she could answer, the bushes parted and a tall, shadowed figure appeared between he and her assailants. She could not see his face, but she could tell by his cloak and armor that he was a warrior.
"I'll give you one chance." Growled her protector, deep voice low and threatening. "Leave."
"Where did you come from?" Alex asked, taking a step back.
"I won't tell you again." Her protector spoke once more.
"We're not going anywhere. We have a job to do, so mind your own business and stand aside."
Her protector's hand went to his sword. True to his word, there was no further warning before the stranger lashed out and cut them both down. She watched their lifeless bodies fall to the ground. Her unknown protector sheathed his sword and turned toward her. She looked up at him and gasped.
He was breathtaking. His angular face had a pointed chin, proud, thin nose and thin lips. His eyes were what truly stunned her. Partially hidden under a mop of unruly dark brown hair, those familiar, deep blue eyes stared at her.
"It's you…" she breathed, barely believing it. Her fox...was human. Or something similar. He nodded and reached down to her. She took his hand and he effortlessly pulled her to her feet. She winced and his brow creased, lips turning down.
"Hold still."
He knelt down before her and lifted up the hem of her skirt. She blushed furiously as his hands touched her ankle. He whispered something in a language most likely unknown to human ears and she felt her skin heat and then cool as her pain vanished. He lowered her skirt, stood up and touched the spot on her side where an arrow left a deep gash. Again, he whispered the words, and the same hot and cold sensations took away her pain.
"How did you… do that?" He raised a brow. "How are you human?" She just couldn't understand…
"I'm not human." His answer was short but answered both of her questions.
"Then... you really were the fox." He nodded again. "Why did you stay… protect me?"
"You saved my life. My king demands our debts be paid." Her heart sank. He saved her out of duty. She thought, for just a moment, that maybe he… "Do you have the energy to travel?" She shook her head.
"I'm sorry. I fear that if you released me I would fall." He frowned again.
"I will take you home to your castle." In spite of his curt tone, his eyes were gentle and betrayed his concern.
"But how will you-" he stepped back, making sure she was steady before he let her go. In a flash of brilliant light, the knight disappeared and in his place was a gorgeous stallion, all white, save for the dark brown mane. She gasped as he knelt down motioning with his head for her to climb on his back. She did as he indicated and mounted him, fisting her hands in his mane. He rocked back and forth before he rose to his feet. He gave no warning before he bolted out of the clearing.
The wind whipped through her hair as he galloped out of the woods and across the fields. She had not realized how far she'd strayed from the castle but she had been running for her life. When they reached the castle walls, he slowed his pace to a halt and bent down once more to allow her to dismount before he stood and returned to the form of the knight.
"I do not know how to thank you." She uttered. He raised a brow.
"Do not thank me at all." His voice was just as curt as before but his eyes betrayed him. Something swirled in those dark blue depths; warm, inviting. "I am a fae. To thank me is to forever be in my debt."
"Truly?" He nodded. Feeling strangely bold, she stepped toward him. "And, what would that sort of debt entail?" All pretense seemed to drop as his lips curved onto a charming smirk.
"You would have to do anything I ask of you for eternity."
"Anything?" He nodded and took a step closer. "And I suppose that would mean you could come to me whenever you wish to make that request?"
"I would have to." She smiled and suddenly realized how close they now stood.
"Then I, Relena Peacecraft, Princess of the Sanq Kingdom, formally thank you, kind sir, for all of your assistance." His eyes widened as she gave a low curtsy.
"I, Heero Yuy, accept your thanks, princess." He stated. She smiled and stood, but was taken aback when he knelt and took her hand in his. His lips grazed her knuckles and it sent a thrill up her arm and down her spine.
"Sir Heero-" he stood.
"I will return when I have need of you." His lips curved into that small smirk again before he shifted back into the form of a fox. She watched him run off into the night and disappear into the underbrush.
Following that day, people noticed a new guard with unruly brown hair that rotated in and out of her guard detail. Others at the castle often noticed their princess in the garden with a fox laying in her lap or walking with her. Some swore they saw that same fox coming and going from her room at all hours of the night, but then again, people often talk about the most peculiar things.