Traitorous Heart

Part 3

Diclaimer: Don't own 'em, don't sue. You wouldn't get nothin' outta this otaku but a couple pennies and some well-loved novels. 'Sides I'll have 'em back fairly unharmed.

Warning: Shounen ai, AU, OOC Quatre, might have lime in latter chapters.

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Trowa paced back and forth across his room, trying to get some of the frustration out of his system. His father had refused to have Quatre released. Apparently having an elf around was too much of a novelty. Right after the meeting Triton had had Quatre locked into a room near the servant's quarters. The poor boy wasn't even allowed out and when Trowa had gone to at least take him for a walk, he'd been all but dragged to his room.

The young prince had thought more of his father, but this was fast causing him to open his eyes to the things around him. Things weren't always just and innocents were often hurt because of it, but he'd never thought his father privy to any of these things. King Triton had always seemed like a good, righteous ruler. Now it seemed like he was only going along with whatever the rest of court wanted, like Quatre wasn't didn't have feelings or couldn't make decisions for himself. Just because he wasn't human he was being held captive in order to amuse some stuck up courtiers.

There was a scuffle noise from the other side of the room and Trowa turned to see the servant's door open and Duo stumble into the room followed by Wufei and Heero.

"Hey Tro." Duo flopped out onto the prince's huge bed four-poster bed. "I take it from the look on your face things didn't go all too well."

Trowa crossed his arms and leaned up against the wine coloured wall with a sigh. "That would be an understatement. They have him locked up, Duo, like some thief. He may not be in the dungeons but he's still being kept against his will. I told him I'd get him out and I always keep my word."

"Well, why don't we break him out? I mean, with you, Wufei, Heero and I it should be an easy task."

Heero snorted and sat down next to his lover. "It isn't so simple. We have guards and witnesses to contend with. None of us could afford to get caught trying to help Quatre escape. Wufei and I have our jobs to think about and the only reason you're allowed to stay here at all is because of Trowa. If King Triton discovers he was part of this then all of us will be sent away. Separately."

All of the blood just about drained from Duo's face as Heero uttered the last word. Heero was the only one Duo would ever love and they all knew it. If they were to get caught and separated both would most likely either go as far as to kill someone to be reunited or slowly waste away. No, it was better not to do anything that could lead to this outcome.

"Another idea, then," Wufei spoke up softly. "Why don't we contact someone of Quatre's clan and have them some and rescue him. Elves are very magical creatures, not doubt quite capable of breaking one of their own out of a locked room. If it wasn't for the magic barrier I was forced to put on the damn place, I'm sure he'd have gotten out by now."

There was a pause as everyone took time to think this over. "One this, though," Trowa said. "If we let a bunch of elves in, aren't they going to be a little mad about Quatre being captured in the first place? If they have as much power as you say couldn't they destroy the palace and everyone in it out of revenge."

"Elves are very passive by nature," Wufei explained. "They only fight in self-defense and most are very forgiving. Quatre seems to be the exception to that."

"If you'd been bashed over the head and thrown into a cage wouldn't you be a little angry?" Duo asked sarcastically.

Wufei just glared at the boy. "I believe you've done that to me before."

Violet eyes lit up and Duo started to giggle. "Man! I almost forgot about that! The look on your face when you woke up was just hilarious. It was so worth all the bruises you gave me afterwards!"

The mage's eyes darkened more and he turned to look at Trowa. "If I can get to see him I can contact his clan. Without his help it would be impossible. I'm not a rogue made, Trowa, most of my magic deals with fire or at least heat. Contacting a person in an unfamiliar place is next to impossible."

Trowa nodded at the other teen. "I can't promise anything, but I can try. They'll either let us in or bring him out eventually."

The severance door opened again, the sound of rustling fabric drowning out the thoughtful silence as Catherine toppled through the door in a pile of silken skirts. She climbed to her feet and dusted carelessly at her dress.

She turned to grin at him as she took a seat next to Heero and Duo on the bed, completely ignoring the look Heero was giving her for sitting between he and his lover. "You've really gotten into this time, little brother, the entire castles talking about it. Fathers in a rage; you'd do well to keep away from him for the time being."

He scowled at her, finding the older girls amusement annoying under the circumstances.

"Like I have much choice in the matter? I'm not allowed in to see him for quite some time. He won't even let me in to see Quatre. Something about this is wrong. Father never treats a prisoner like this, not even those who deserve to be imprisoned."

Catherine nodded, bright auburn curls bobbing slightly. "It does seem rather out of character for him. Quatre may not be human, but father won't even put a bear on display, no matter how hard the court wants it and an elf is closer to a human than a bear. It just doesn't make a lot of sense even of father is prone to outbursts of his temper."

The room sunk again into silence as all five youths tried to figure out the problem they now found themselves in. They could always go with Wufei's plan, but it would be a last resort. They did not want to involve the other elves if they could help. It would turn out a lot better if they could have Quatre willingly released.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens for now," Trowa told everyone. "We can't do much right now, not until we get in to see either father or Quatre."

"I guess you're right," Duo sighed. "I still kinda wanna break the poor guy out, but I guess the punishment if we got caught is not a situation I look forward to."

With that, the "meeting" seemed to end and, slowly, everyone began to leave the prince's suite. First Wufei, then Duo and Heero and finally Catherine.

His sister stopped as she was about to leave out the door she'd come by. "I hope you realize what you've gotten yourself into. Not just with father, but with the elf."

She continued on her way, leaving Trowa to wonder at the same thing. What exactly had he gotten himself in?

TBC…

Shade: I skipped the part with King Triton 'cause I didn't feel like developing his character (yes, I am a very lazy teenager) and I wanted to get on with the story. I have this whole part written up, but it won't come for a couple chapters yet. I'll try to have the next part up either after Christmas or New Years, but my internet's on the fritz. This holiday is gonna be GREAT! No school for two weeks! Heaven….