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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13359 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing/AC, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed

Chapter 32

Dawn was creeping across the horizon and slivers of light began to penetrate through the drapes at the window to fall across the sleeping face of Duo as he lay with his master. The light increased and began to permeate through closed eyelids until Duo could ignore it no longer. Violet eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light.

A soft yawn along with the blinking of eyes brought Duo fully awake but he was reluctant to move for the moment. The bed was warm, strong arms were wrapped around his waist and a hard body pressed against his back. Soft exhalations of air against his shoulder told him his master was still sleeping.

As he lay, Duo mulled over the day ahead in his mind. His master hadn't left any direct orders for him this morning so he could afford to lie abed for a little while and contemplate the coming day.

They still had roughly six farms to visit that day before they would be done and return to the castle. In one way Duo would be glad to return, his backside and legs were still a little sore from the time spent in the unfamiliar saddle. On the other hand he wished he could stay here forever with just his master. The thought of returning to the princess and her sadistic maid was not at all appealing.

The breathing behind him began to change indicating the prince was waking up. Duo wriggled a little and managed to turn himself around. “Good morn, master.”

Sleepy blue eyes focused on the slave in his arms and a small smile crossed the prince's face. “Good morn, Duo.” Heero reached forward and claimed a kiss.

A soft moan escaped Duo's throat with the kiss and once his lips were released, he spoke. “Would you like for me to fetch your breakfast, master?”

“Not just yet, Duo. Go to my brother's room first and see if he is awake. I would prefer to eat in his company.”

“Yes, master.” Duo slowly slipped from the bed and reached for his clothes, his legs ached and he was still a little sore.

Noticing the wince, Heero observed his slave further as he dressed. “Are you still sore?”

“A little, master. Not as bad as last eve though. That ointment that healer Sally packed has helped a lot.”

“Good. I will apply some more of the ointment then before we leave.”

“Thank you, master.” The warmth spread through Duo with his master's words. He quickly finished dressing and went to Prince Trowa's rooms.

* * *

“I have sent word for the horses to be saddled and ready for us to leave once we have finished our breakfast,” Trowa informed his brother as they sat in Heero's room and partook of their morning meal. Beside the two princes, both slaves knelt, each being fed by their respective master.

“Thank you, brother. The sooner we can get going, the sooner we will be finished and can ride home to the castle,” Heero replied and passed his slave a piece of bread. Duo took the bread and nibbled on it. It was warm and fresh, crusty too. Across from him Quatre smiled at the look of delight on the long haired slave's face.

“I anticipate we should return home somewhere around sunset,” Trowa stated.

“I'll have Duo ask the innkeeper to pack some food for us for the journey ahead.”

“As you wish, brother. I'll have Quatre help him to stow it in the packs.” The two princes continued to discuss their day ahead, having planned out the shortest route to take them around those farms they had yet to visit.

Once breakfast was finished, Trowa took his leave, Quatre went with him to pack their belongings up. Duo began to place the dishes back on the tray to return to the kitchens when his master stopped him.

“Duo, come here for a moment.”

Placing the dishes he had in his hands onto the tray, Duo walked across the room to where his master was standing beside the bed. His eyes glanced curiously from his master to the bed and back again.

“Remove your pants and lie on the bed on your stomach,” Heero ordered. Noting the slightly confused expression on his slave's face as Duo obeyed, Heero showed him the jar of salve he had. “I said I would put some more of the ointment on you before we leave.”

Understanding flashed through those violet eyes. Duo lay down on the bed and felt warmed by his master’s concern and obvious care for him

The salve was applied, Duo quickly dressing and continuing with his clean up of the dishes. Before he returned the dishes he quickly packed up their belongings, Heero letting him know that he would deal with those while the slave took the tray back and assisted Quatre with the food they had requested from the innkeeper.

* * *

“Everything is packed and ready, master,” Quatre informed Prince Trowa.

“Thank you.” Trowa turned to his brother. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” Heero replied and mounted his horse.

Trowa swung himself into his saddle, the guard accompanying them already mounted and ready to leave. Once their masters were mounted up, Quatre gave Duo a hand to get into his saddle before mounting his own horse and standing next to his fellow slave.

“Let us continue,” Heero announced and with a touch to his horse's sides, the stallion moved off at a brisk trot, the rest of the entourage following along behind.

*

The princes' visited another three farms before calling a halt and stopping to partake of their lunch. The day was warming up and the lunch of bread, cheese, fruit and nuts was most welcome, as were the skins of wine and water the innkeeper had thought to include. As they ate, the princes' discussed the farms they had yet to visit, confirming their intended route with the palace guard.

Quatre and Duo sat beside their masters once they had set the food out and listened in on the conversation whilst being fed by their respective master. Although the salve Heero had applied the previous evening and that morn had done quite a lot to ease Duo's sore muscles, the salve had now worn off and he was finding the aches returning with a vengeance. He'd even discovered muscles he didn't know he had!

Spotting the slight look of discomfort on his fellow slave's features, Quatre could sympathize, knowing from past experience how sore one could get when one wasn't used to riding all day in a saddle. Soon enough the lunch was finished and the princes' decided it was time to move on otherwise they wouldn't make it back to the castle before dark.

The remainder of the food was packed away, the skins replaced on the pack horses and the entourage mounted up once more. Duo couldn't help the wince as his sore backside met with the hard leather of the saddle. He would be more than happy to return to the castle and get off the beast.

*

The remainder of the afternoon and farm visits passed by in a blur of discomfort and short reprieves from the saddle for Duo. Finally they were leaving the last of the farm holdings and starting their journey back to the castle. Both princes' were tired and wished to return home as quickly as possible, urging their horses forward and setting a swift pace.

The palace guard pushed forth and matched the speed of the princes' mounts. Duo swore that the horses all knew they were going home too as they appeared to find that extra bit of energy – and in the case of his mount – bounciness too.

Looking across to Quatre who was riding beside him, Duo couldn't help the flash of envy that passed through him. Quatre looked perfectly at home and comfortable on Rocky, the gelding covering the ground with easy strides and a soft, rocking motion.

In contrast, it felt to Duo that Lily was deliberately trying to push him out of the saddle with each stride she took. He held the reins loosely in one hand, the other having the pommel of the saddle in a death grip.

Noting the white knuckles and gritted teeth of his fellow slave, Quatre pushed his mount a little closer to the pair. “Try to relax and sit into the motion.”

“Easy for you to say,” Duo managed to get out between his clenched teeth.

“Try to think of it as sitting in a large rocking chair, just let your body rock in time with the horse and it will feel a lot more comfortable.”

Duo did his best to follow Quatre's advice, relaxing his body as much as he dared and easing his grip a bit on the saddle. He did find, much to his surprise, that as he started to relax and let his body go with the natural swing of the horse, it did become a little easier.

“See, nothing to it,” Quatre encouraged and added a beaming smile.

“I can't see why these things don't come with a padded saddle,” Duo stated. “It would make riding them a lot easier.”

Quatre laughed. “Don't worry, Duo. Prince Heero has asked me to give you some riding lessons when we return.”

“I think it will have to wait for a couple of weeks, Quatre. Right now my backside feels black and blue,” Duo replied with a grimace.

“Don't worry, I won't start teaching you until you're fully recovered,” Quatre reassured.

*

The sun was starting to slip lower in the sky when the group finally sighted the castle ahead. For Duo, whose backside was beginning to feel like it would be permanently bruised, the sight of the castle was a more than welcome vision. He could even put up with the princess and her snooty maid if it meant he could get off the horse and not have to ride one again for some time.

Soon enough the group clattered into the courtyard where stable boys came rushing forth to take the horses from the tired travelers. Managing to slide from his saddle, Duo's legs almost gave out on him when he set his weight upon them. It only took him a moment to recover though and despite walking very stiffly, he made his way to his master's side.

Handing his horse over to the stable lad, Heero turned and noted the stiff gait of his slave and the pained expression in those violet eyes.

“Shall I fetch the bags, master?' Duo asked as he dropped to his knees.

“No, Duo. I'll have one of the other slaves bring the bags to my room.” Noting the confused look on his slave's face, Heero continued to speak. “You may prepare a bath for me. I think it would be best if I were to bathe before greeting my wife.”

“As you wish, master.” Duo was a little relieved that he wouldn't have to carry the bags back to his master's chambers. Aside from feeling totally exhausted, Duo really didn't want to face the princess until absolutely necessary.

The entourage split up, the guards returning to the barracks for a well earned meal and rest, the princes' and their slaves entered the castle where they were met by the king.

“My son's, you have returned,” King Treize greeted and gave each of the princes a quick hug.

“Father,” both princes replied.

“No doubt you are tired and hungry. Go bathe and dress for dinner, your mother and I will have you dine with us tonight and regale us of your trip.”

“Yes, father,” both replied in unison.

“Then go, we will expect you in the dining chamber in two candle marks.” The king smiled and turned on his heel, leaving the two princes and their slaves to bathe and prepare for dinner.

* * *

Duo hurried to the bathing chamber and prepared the bath for his master. No sooner had he filled the tub than the prince arrived. Making short work of his master's clothing, Duo soon stripped himself and joined his master in the large tub. The warm water was soothing on his sore skin and aching muscles.

Heero lay back in the water, relaxing as his slave tended to him. The day's work and ride had tired him and it felt good to have the dust, sweat and dirt of the journey removed from his body. Once he was clean, Heero remained soaking in the water whilst his slave washed himself. He watched Duo carefully, noting the slight wince from time to time and also how his slave appeared a little less graceful in his movements than usual. Once Duo was clean, Heero raised himself up slightly. “Come here, Duo,” he ordered.

The slave moved across to pause before his master, head bowed in supplication.

“How sore are you?”

“I will be fine, master,” Duo replied, unwilling to let his master know just how sore and bruised he really was. He didn't need to give his master a reason to get rid of him.

“I know you will be fine, Duo and that is not what I asked. Come, dry me.” Heero stepped out of the tub, his slave following and fetching the drying cloths. Once dry, Heero turned to his slave who was still naked and kneeling at his feet. “Stand up.”

Duo obeyed, head bowed and hands clasped in front of him.

“Turn around and bend over."

Unsure of what his master's intentions were, Duo did as asked.

Once his slave was bent over, Heero moved forward and began an inspection of Duo's skin. He noted the inflamed state of those creamy thighs and buttocks – fortunately there wasn't any skin broken that he could detect, but he knew Duo had to be very sore.

“I'm sorry,” Heero murmured as he ran a gentle hand over Duo's cheeks, the heat radiating off them letting the prince know just how painful his slave's backside had to be. “I will have Sally attend to you immediately after dinner.”

“It's okay, master, the healer need not trouble herself on my account,” Duo began, only to be cut off by the prince.

“Duo, you are injured and in pain. You are my responsibility and I will not have my slave in pain. The healer will attend to you after dinner; understand?” Heero's voice, whilst not angry, did hold a certain edge to it.

“Yes, master.”

“Good. Let us hurry up and get dressed, my father will be expecting us shortly and it is not done to keep the king waiting. There is also the small matter of my wife too.”

Doing his best not to cringe at the thought of the princess, Duo obediently followed his master from the bathing chamber.

* * *

The dinner with the King and Queen went surprisingly well, the main topic of conversation relating to the farm holdings the princes' had visited. The king was more than happy with the reports his sons gave him regarding the crop yields and overall production of the many holdings. Once the 'business' had finished being discussed, the queen brought the men up to speed with how the arrangements for the festival were coming along.

It had been decided to have the festival in the grounds surrounding the castle and word was currently being sent out to all the villages in the kingdom. All the kingdom's subjects had been invited to attend and celebrate and any that wished to set up stalls to sell their wares were more than welcome to do so. The queen had taken Relena under her wing and between the pair of them they had formed a committee and delegated many of the tasks to smaller groups to arrange and oversee.

At this point, aside from the stalls selling produce and wares, the committee had also suggested minstrels, entertainment and even some competitions, a small 'fair' which dealt with games and prizes had also been suggested and the committee members were now all busy arranging their various sections of the festival.

“Competitions?” Heero had questioned.

“Yes, Heero,” Relena replied, dabbing her lips with her napkin and placing it on the table. “The queen and I thought it might be nice to have some competitions, things like swordmanship, archery, horsemanship, those types of things.”

Duo couldn't help the shudder that passed through his frame at the mention of horsemanship. He shifted slightly on the thick cushion his thoughtful master had placed for him to sit upon.

“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Heero replied and received a beaming smile from his wife.

“I'm glad you agree, my prince as I was hoping that you and Prince Trowa would help with the arranging of them.” Relena turned the smile up a notch.

“Aa...”

“We would be delighted to assist with the arrangements of the competitions,” Trowa stated and gave his brother a look.

“Good. I will arrange a meeting with you both over the course of the next couple of days.”

Trowa nodded in reply, Heero scowled at his brother.

With Trowa having agreed for them both that they would assist in the arranging of the competitions, the remainder of the dinner passed quickly with further talk of the festival and the plans for it.

*

Heero paused in the long hallway and turned to his wife. “I will be along to our chambers shortly,” he informed her.

Relena frowned. “Where are you going?” she asked, clearly annoyed.

“I need to stop by the healer with Duo. It won't take long,” Heero replied.

“Why can't he go by himself? Is he sick or something? Oh no, he'd better not be sick, I don't need to be catching anything from him of all creatures in my condition...” Relena began to rant.

Heero sighed. “No, he is not sick, he suffered some bruising and muscle damage during our trip away.”

Relena's eyes narrowed. “How?” she asked, a dangerous edge to her voice.

“I wasn't aware that Duo does not know how to ride a horse. As a consequence, he suffered some damage and I intend for Sally to take a look at him and treat him.” Heero gritted the words out. Why his wife insisted on knowing all the details was beyond him. Why couldn't she simply accept that Duo needed to see the healer and leave it at that?

“That's exactly the sort of thing I would expect from a creature such as him,” Relena spat.

“Relena, that is quite enough,” Heero growled. “Continue to our chambers, I will join you shortly.” Turning on his heel, Heero motioned for Duo to follow him and set off for the healer's rooms.

Relena watched her husband and that gutter snipe leave, her jaw clenched in anger. Once Heero had disappeared from sight, she turned to her maid. “He hasn't even asked me how I am or the baby and yet he can find the time to seek assistance for that – that piece of trash,” she seethed.

“It's okay, mistress,” Dorothy soothed, “Don't go upsetting yourself in your condition. We will just have to come up with another way to get rid of that excuse for a slave.”

“I guess you're right, Dorothy,” Relena sighed and began to move towards the chambers. “But right now I'm too tired and annoyed to think.”

“I know, don't worry, we have time to come up with something.”

~ * ~

tbc...
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Bound, Bonded and Betrayed