Betaed by Skippyscatt

Authors note: After reading all my reviews. (I cherish every one even if I don't have time to
respond to you all) I realized that most of you don't understand exactly why Heero punished
Duo, so here I go. Lecture mode: On. Duo committed a crime by pulling Heero's hair. Heero is a
king and Duo attacked him. The crime is called Les Majeste (to lessen the king) it is treason, and
the historical punishments range from mummification alive to hanging, drawing, and quartering.
And even if the King would grant amnesty exile was mandatory. Lecture Mode: off.

~ * ~

Duo contained his sulks, it wouldn't do to get a real beating on top of his other punishment. He
helped Heero get ready for bed, then settled down to put all his new words into his dictionary.
He knew it wasn't organized as well as it could be but he did the best he could with what he had.

Eventually Heero told him to blow out the candle and go to bed. Duo carefully shut his book and
blew out the candle. He groped his way to his bed and crawled between the sheets. As he
snuggled down to sleep he suddenly realized that Heero hadn't asked him for anything more than
help with washing his hair. Perhaps his master was sorry he'd punished him for nothing. He'd
have to think about it, but he was still angry.

Heero lay in his cold lonely bed and sulked a little himself. Duo didn't realize how close he'd
come to getting himself executed. Les Majeste was treason. Heero realized he was going to have
to speak to Duo again, to make sure he realized exactly what he'd been punished for. Heero
rolled over and tried to sleep.

The next morning was unhappy for both of them. Duo over slept and so did Heero, one from
exhaustion, the other from lack of sleep. Heero poked Duo in the shoulder.

"Hey! Wake up! I'm going to be late for breakfast. I have to eat with my seconds this morning."

Duo scrambled out of bed and knelt at Heero's feet. He'd over slept which was sure to put Heero
in a temper.

But instead of being angry at Duo Heero just snapped. "Get up. I don't have time to waste. How
can I expect something of people if I don't do it myself? Hurry. And make sure my laces don't
come undone."

So Duo hurried. He scrambled to get Heero into his undershirt, arming coat or gambeson, breeks,
socks and boots. He laced, tied, and smoothed. Then he lifted the mail shirt and eased it over
Heero's head. It wasn't very heavy as mail went, the rings were tiny and riveted. The steel, as
Duo was well aware, was highest quality. Duo wasn't that careful of wrinkles.

After tying the last of the laces, in double knots, Duo bowed low to signify that he was done.

Heero sighed. "I need to have a talk with you, but I don't have time now. Go to the kitchen and
have your breakfast. I'm going to have a word with the housekeeper on my way down. They
don't treat you right."

Duo gave Heero a sad look. He didn't have trouble with most of the servants. A few snubbed
him, but all the kitchen staff liked him. The upper servants knew better than to attract Heero's ire
by being less than exactly proper. Some of the middle servants, such as maids and footmen,
didn't seem to know exactly what to make of him, but he didn't have much contact with them.
He'd never been to the stables so he didn't know about them or the gardeners, but he intended to
carefully make friends if he could.

"Don't worry, I won't put their backs up. But I don't want you working in the kitchen. You're
my servant, not kitchen help."

Duo worried his ball a bit then shook his head. Then he smiled slightly. He went to Heero's desk
while his master fidgeted impatiently. He returned to him with a piece of the cheap paper he'd
been using for practice, and a piece of hard charcoal.

He wrote: "no work like fun. Please not trouble."

Heero eyed the few words for a moment then said, "It's not work? You like to do it?" Duo
nodded. "And you don't want me to start any trouble. I see. Well, just don't let them take
advantage."

Duo nodded, smiled and reached for the paper. Heero shook his head, took the paper to his desk
and carefully rolled it up and put it in a storage tube. Duo blinked slowly, once.

"I better get going. Don't let them over work you, don't forget to do your chores. And your lines.
Wufei will be here just before noon to give you new ones."

With that Heero strode out of the room.

~ * ~

Duo slipped in the kitchen door and tapped the cook on one shoulder, then when the cook turned
he ducked to the other side. She laughed and whirled around, catching Duo by the shirt.

"You little devil. Here, eggs, bacon, and oatmeal . . . oh, no you don't. You'll eat every bite of
that before you have a pie."

The cook handed Duo a plate and slapped his hand as he tried to snitch a fruit pie off the table in
front of her. He made a face but settled down to eat.

When he was done with his food the cook gave him one of the hand pies, smiling as he bit into it
with a soft hum of delight.

"After you're done with that pie, you could shell these peas for me. That stupid girl burned her
hand this morning and can't do it. I told her that pot was hot. But does she listen . . . oh . . .
nnnnneeeewwww. Not her. Thinks she's too smart to listen to her mother, she does."

The cook wiped floury hands on her apron and walked across the room to a door. She stuck her
head through it and spoke to someone in the room beyond. Turning back she sighed.

"Doris is going to be useless for at lest the rest of the day. Can you stay a while? I don't want
you to get into trouble with the master but I'll need help."

Duo frowned doubtfully. Then he shrugged, made a pinching motion with thumb and finger,
then started quickly shelling peas.

"You can stay a little while?" Duo grinned at her and nodded. "You still haven't cleaned
Master's rooms, have you?" Duo shook his head. "You better leave as soon as you shell the peas
and peel me some potatoes. I'll give you your lunch early. Then you got to get your work done.
And I heard that master punished you last night. That's a shame. What did you do? That nasty
head footman . . . that's funny how can he be both a head and a foot?" Duo made a snickering
sound. "Well, what did you do?"

Duo frowned for a second then reached up and pulled his hair. The cook gave him a horrified
look.

"Oh, goddess. You didn't . . ." Duo shrugged and nodded. "You pulled his hair?" Duo gave her a
sharp look. "But . . . he's the King. Most of the naturals around here don't understand that. And .
. . little one?"

Duo had turned pale. He'd never been told, that he remembered, that his master was the King.
Les Majeste was high treason, his punishment had been nothing compared to what he could have
suffered. He clamped his hand over his mouth and headed for the jakes.

When he got back, Cook gave him a spoonful of honey to take the taste out of his mouth.

Duo picked up the bowl of peas again and quickly finished shelling them, whistling cheerfully
while he did so. The rest of the kitchen staff sang or hummed along. Cook liked a cheerful
kitchen and was a kindly woman, so she happily sang along too.

Two of the kitchen girls started to dance in the wide central isle and Cook laughed but warned
them that they should be careful of hot pots. She told them to take it outside.

"Those two. They're so in love it's ridiculous. Helen, get Rachel a drink of cool water. She's
looking over heated."

Cook motioned to one of the girls, who left her bread dough to take water to another girl. Poor
Rachel was spit girl for the day. So she was crouched by the roaring fire place turning the
roasting joints of meat and basting them. It was a coveted place in winter but it was now late
spring and the job wasn't so pleasant.

Duo noted that even though Cook didn't seem to be paying any attention to what was going on in
the room she was well aware of everything. Noticing that the spit girl needed a drink of water
and making sure she got it solidified his already high regard for the motherly woman.

"Here, Markus, bring us that big bowl and a half sack of potatoes. We'll peel them here at the
table. Scoot."

The bowl, potatoes and two knives were dutifully brought by Markus.

"I'd like to know what that nasty look was for?"

"He's a slave. Slave's han't 'posed to have kniveses."

Cook shook her head. "Slaves aren't supposed to have knives. Boy, you've skipped granny
school too much. Go wash your mouth out with soap. Now!"

The boy gave Cook a hate full look but went to the sink and picked up a clean pot rag, wet it,
rubbed it across a bar of soap and did as he was told.

"And don't be giving me that look. You know you're supposed to learn to read and write. Master
won't have ignorant people around. Not even a pot boy."

Cook sighed and picked up a knife, she handed Duo the other despite his doubtful look.

"It's ok. The little fool has ambitions above his station. Not that that's a bad thing, but his brains
aren't up to it either. Same with his sister. She's a house maid, but she's just sure that she's
going to impress someone and bed them and better herself that way. The housekeeper is in
despair of her." Cook shook her head. "Well, if she gets a big belly she'll be sent home in
disgrace . . . as long as it isn't a rape. But as the old saying goes you can't rape the willing."

Duo dropped the potato peeling on the table and shuddered. He carefully examined the potato for
eye spots and cut it into pieces, tossing them into the bowl of water.

Any mention of rape and his skin crawled and his nerves jumped.

He watched as Cook showed her skills with a knife and peeled the next potato so neatly that the
peel was paper thin and all in one spiraling piece. Duo gave her a cheeky grin and followed her
example.

~ * ~

Cook cut the last potato up and tossed it into the bowl. Duo was carefully piling the peelings in
another ready to be taken to the compost pile.

Duo started to go out himself then paused. He looked at Cook who told one of the cleaning girls
to take it out. She smiled at Duo and took the bowl, walking out the door without complaint.

"Not supposed to go outside, are you?"

Duo frowned then shrugged, he wasn't sure if the kitchen yard was on the proscribed list or not.
Better to be safe than sorry, especially the temper Heero was in just now.

Cook sighed and worried. The young King was in a tight spot all right. He wasn't even supposed
to be king. He was the younger son of a younger son. Trained to be a general from a young age.
He was supposed to be one of the generals in the kingdom's army.

But there'd been a plague. The old king had died early on and his youngest brother had gone
from this domain to the capital. He had accepted help from one of his oldest and dearest friends.
The richest man in the kingdom. Old Captain Winner had never been a captain except of gold.
He was very much in command of that and had helped the new king set the kingdom on the road
to riches. They'd died together comrades in death as in life. Leaving Heero to carry on as the
youngest king in the kingdoms history.

Heero had proved to be shrewd as they come. He'd put his mind to delegating parts of his royal
duties to others more capable of handling them. Thus, his best friend and the son of his father's
best friend, Quatre Winner was Holder of the Privy Purse and responsible for trade with other
nations and banking, taxes and so forth. His lover, Trowa Barton, was also his aide.

Anything to do with religion he left to the various high priests. His only ruling was that there
was to be no fighting amongst the various temples. He stayed away from religion, afraid that
showing any preference would cause problems.

He also took advice on politics from various advisers. But anyone who thought Heero indecisive
was soon shown other wise. One man, foolish enough to get truly rude with Heero, lost his
tongue. Heero wouldn't stand for back talk.

All in all he was under a great deal of stress and this war was adding to it. So he was in a very
bad mood most of the time. Training a bunch of 'dung toes' was difficult to say the least. He
really needed help. At least his new slave made him happy, most of the time.

"Well, that's that. You better get to your cleaning. It wouldn't do to have the Master angry
again." Cook gave Duo a gentle look. "Sweetie, don't be too angry with him. He's impatient,
tired, and worried. He needs to be here and at the capital. He needs trained troops he hasn't got.
The plague killed nearly half the population of the kingdom. We didn't suffer that much because
we're so isolated. But all we have here is a bunch of farmers. Strong backs and not trained in
fighting. So . . ." Cook flapped her hand at Duo and fished in her pocket for her hanky. Duo
scurried out the door after giving her a quick hug.

~* ~

Duo knew that Heero was going to be in the audience chamber until after lunch so he quickly
cleaned the rooms and made sure the towels and bath salts were ready in the bathing chamber.
Deciding he needed to get out in the fresh air, he went to Wufei to get his new lines.

Wufei sat him down at a large podium desk and had him copy out each line, then read it to him
so he could translate it into his 'chicken scratches' as Wufei called them. It didn't take them very
long to do it and Duo decided to stay there to do his lines so Wufei could see them as soon as he
was done.

As he worked Duo whistled softly, until Wufei asked him to stop as he found it distracting. Duo
stopped, sighed, and dipped his pen in the ink, well only to find it empty.

When Duo took the well to Wufei, he grumbled slightly. He was almost out of ink and he didn't
what to have to brew more just yet.

Duo bit at his lip, he didn't want to be any trouble to the golden skinned man. He had been kind
to Duo. So Duo just put the well down on the table and wrote on the table with a piece of
charcoal.

"More in room. Go there. Finish. Bring back." Duo tapped the table and nodded to Wufei. He
waited while Wufei read what he'd written.

"Very well. That's a good idea. You need to learn to make longer sentences. But that'll come on
it's own as you learn more words. I'll try to come up with more useful conjunctions and make
you a list. And I think I'll start on simple sentences. You've got enough words now. And that'll
help us both figure out what words you need to learn next. Is that agreeable?" Wufei didn't stop
what he was doing, if he let the salve scorch it would be useless.

Duo nodded. Then he patted himself on the chest and made walking motions with his fingers.
Pointing to the garden behind the converted stables, he raised his eyebrows in inquiry.

Wufei considered for a moment. His garden was enclosed by a high wall to keep trespassers
from picking the medicinal herbs so he knew it was safe for Duo but Heero had his own ideas.

"I think not. I'll ask Heero if it is all right. If he says it is, then I don't mind. I don't want him
angry at either one of us. I'm sorry."

Duo smiled at Wufei and shrugged. He tapped his forehead and then sighed.

"You know how he is, don't you? Don't give up. He's really very kind, when he wants to be. He
was made king way too young. He can be cruel when he loses his temper. But he tries very hard
not to do that. Go on. You better get back and finish your lines . . . oh . . . remember that Heero
holds justice as dear as I do."

Wufei returned to his salve and Duo returned to his chores.

~ * ~

Heero sat without squirming, he made others squirm instead.

The man next to him was the Steward, Heero didn't like him much. He was efficient, honest,
kept perfect books, and a dead bore. He was self righteous and pedantic. Just now he was
lecturing Heero on crop rotation.

Heero glared at him, stopping him in mid word. "That is quite enough. I know more about crops
than I ever wanted to. I'm a simple warrior, not a farm holder. Eat your lunch then go up to the
high pastures and bring down all the herds. You'll have to send up men to mow the grasses and
make hay."

When the man started to argue about the mowing, Heero simply explained to him exactly why
this had to be done. This was one of the reasons most of his people respected Heero so much. He
explained when there was time, if there wasn't they could expect explanations when there was.
The fool continued to argue, condescendingly explaining that they didn't do things that way.

Heero stood up, slammed his hand down on the table and demanded silence. He glared until
everyone was silent and looking at him. "I have had enough! I have explained what has to be
done and why. All you have done is argue with me and present me with specious reasons why
you can't do it. There is no can't, you have to. I'll have no more argument. I have spoken. So it
will be." He pierced the two worst obstructionists with cold, blue eyes. "I am king. I will be
obeyed."

Heero picked up a slice of bread, smeared it with butter and honey, and stormed out with it in his
hand. Refusing to eat with these men was an insult. Even for Heero. He hoped that they finally
got the seriousness of the situation through their heads.

He spent half an hour in the gardens trying to calm down. When he finally did, he overheard
something that got his temper up again.

"He can't be king. The king is old. Kings are always old."

"Well the steward says he is. I believe the steward. The old fart is too stuffy to lie."

"He can't be king. He doesn't have a crown."

The younger gardener nodded as if that settled everything.

Heero ground his teeth in fury. This was just too much. One of the reasons his father had wanted
him to come up here was to get away from the pomp and foolishness of court. If all it took to get
their total cooperation was wearing a crown, a crown they would get.

He went into his office and wrote a letter to Quatre. He would have his court dress sent up.
After giving his letter to a courier he headed for his quarters. He wanted out of his mail, he
wanted a meal he didn't have t suffer through, and he wanted Duo. Not in a sexual way, he just
wanted to feel his hands running through his hair, rubbing his shoulders, easing his aggravation.

~ * ~

Heero slammed into the room and tossed his sheathed sword onto the rack. He started to call
Duo when something flashed by the corner of his eye.

A slender figure dressed in black slid across the floor and disappeared under the bed. Heero
blinked. What the hell? He walked across the room and got down on his knees. He looked under
the bed and bright amethyst eyes blinked back at him.

Duo was scooted as far back under the bed as he could get. He was crouched on his hands and
knees in the far corner, blinking in startlement.

"Come out of there, silly."

Duo shook his head and huddled up, pulling himself into a ball.

"I'm not angry at you. I'm just mad in general. These ignorant dung toes are driving me crazy.
Come out now . . ." Heero held out his hand to Duo. "Please?"

Duo shook his head again. He knew he was in trouble the minute Heero started undressing, he'd
still been angry this morning.

Heero snarled. With his mail on he was too large to fit under the bed. He got flat on his belly and
reached under as far as he could, but he still couldn't reach.

Duo watched him with wide eyes. He knew he couldn't stay there forever but he was too scared
to crawl out. He started shivering.

Heero stood up and pulled his mail shirt off over his head. It caught at his hair, which was why
he had a squire to lift it off. But he could and would undress himself if he had to. He got back
down on the floor and crawled under the bed, the arming shirt got caught but he wriggled and
managed.
When he reached Duo, he just grabbed what he could reach and pulled. Fortunately he got hold
of Duo's shirt.

Duo squirmed and wriggled but Heero pulled steadily and inched backwards until he was out
from under the bed.

"Now. What was that all about? You weren't scared of me . . . were you?"

Duo nodded, hanging his head. This was going to be so hard, Heero had no patience. Now that
Duo knew what he was up against, he felt sorry for Heero. But that still wasn't going to help
with the trouble between them. He wished fervently for his voice.

Heero settled down to figure out how to get this settled.

"Very well. First help me off with this shirt. I'm hot."

Duo whimpered. Now he was in for it.

Heero started to pull the knots out of the laces, but they tangled. He twisted around and pulled
the shirt to where he could see the knots.

"Oh, you didn't! You little sneak. You double knotted the laces and . . . and let my shirt wrinkle.
I've got a hot spot . . . oh, you're in trouble now."

Duo started shaking again, but Heero took him in his arms and cuddled him. "I'm sorry. I . . . we
start again as of now. All right?"

Duo peeked up at Heero, the gentle gleam in his eyes reassured Duo. He nodded and snuggled
against Heero. Heero stroked Duo's hair and nuzzled the top of his head. Then he gently pushed
him away.

Duo wrestled with the knots until he got them untied. He had knotted them hard and Heero's
breeks as well. After he finally got them all undone Heero settled in his chair and started talking.
He told Duo everything that was going on and how hard it was to try to get the people in this
isolated valley to cooperate with him, ending, "And they don't believe I'm really king because I
don't have a crown. I was trained as a warrior, I'm the youngest son. But my brother, the king,
died in battle and the next son was killed as well. So I'm king, when I was only trained to be a
general at best. Now." Heero clapped his hands onto his knees and stood up. "You know you
have punishment coming for knotting my laces." Duo whimpered. "Not that it's not something I
haven't done myself. And if the punishment was good enough for me it's good enough for you."

Duo shuddered, some knights would beat their squire half to death for nothing. Others would
only laugh and slap them. He came to Heero with hunched shoulders and bowed his head.

"First, you'll replace every lace you knotted. You know very well that once they have been
knotted they'll kink and knot again on their own. I'll be back in a few minutes." Heero cupped
Duo's chin in his palm. "Don't be afraid. I'm sorry I took my anger out on you. It was wrong."

Duo frowned. It seemed that this was all he was going to get. He decided to be satisfied.

Heero went to the door and spoke to the foot man then came back to Duo to watch as he wrestled
the now snarling laces out of the eye holes. Duo snarled back at them.

The footman came back with another covered tray. Heero lifted the cover and blinked. There
was another piece of already prepared hot root on it along with the things Heero had asked for.
"Why's this here? I didn't ask for it."

The footman bowed. "I just assumed that you'd want it. It helps a slave remember his place."

Heero gave the footman a filthy look "Get out. Send the housekeeper to me at once." Then Heero
changed his mind. "No, never mind. Just pack your stuff and be out by morning. First light. Go."

The footman stiffened in place, bowed and left.

"Well, that answers that. Well . . ." Heero turned to Duo. He was standing against the desk with
both hands behind him protectively. "No, I'm not going to use that. Pick it up." Duo scurried to
the tray and picked up the offending root with finger and thumb. Heero motioned to the burning
fire place "Throw it in the fire." Duo held the root at arms length like it might jump on him or
something. He tossed it in the fire, then brushed his hands together in a 'that's that' gesture, then
twinkled at Heero. Heero sighed in relief, it seemed that he was on the way back into his slave's
good graces.

"Get the chalk sticks and bring them here."

Duo brought them over to Heero who was now kneeling on the floor. "This floor is slate. It takes
a chalk mark very well. "Heero took the writing chalk and wrote some words on the floor, he
read them to Duo as he did so.

"I will not tie master's laces in hard knots again." Duo sighed, took the chalk and started writing.

"Did you finish your lines?" Heero settled himself in his favorite chair as he spoke.

Duo shook his head. "Why not? Damn." Duo stood up and brought the papers to Heero. It was
plain to see that he'd run out of ink. "Well, that's not your fault. But I thought I had plenty of
ink." Heero shot Duo a sharp look. Duo nodded, then pointed in the direction of Wufei's
quarters. "Ah, you went there and he was out?" Duo nodded, knelt and finished writing the
sentence. He started to get up, but Heero stopped him with a hand gesture.

"No. Now you will write it ninety-nine more times. And finish your lines."

Duo goggled at him for a moment, then stuck out his tongue. Heero gave him an amused look.
"You might like to write. 'I will not stick my tongue out at master', too. Yes?" Duo shook his
head, making his ragged hair fly. "Didn't think so. Oh, and after I check, and count. You'll have
to scrub the floor. I don't want that chalk tracked all over." Duo went back to his writing,
grumbling to himself.

Heero watched Duo write, his slender black clad figure hunched over his task. Heero shook his
head. Duo was quite forgiving, when he understood the why's and wherefores of something. He
wished he could say the same for his tenants.

He turned to run his own bath and realized that he really missed Duo's attentions. All his
attentions. He hissed softly as he found the hot spot on his shoulder, it might even blister.

Cool hands touched his sore spot. He turned his head to look into sad eyes that made apologies.

"I should be angry. But I can't bring myself to be. Don't be afraid of me . . . please?" Heero
turned to Duo who just cuddled into his arms and nuzzled his chest. "You're not done, you can't
be." Duo shook his head. Then he did a curious thing, he made a clucking noise with his tongue.

Heero jumped, he'd heard such things before, mostly for the same reason Duo had made it. He
waited while Duo got a small pot of cream and applied a dab to his shoulder and another to his
back where another wrinkle had blistered him. Heero sighed in relief.

"Thank you." He turned and stood Duo in front of him. "That noise you made. Can you make it
again?" Duo clucked. Then tipped his head at Heero.

"I'm tired of guessing what you mean. I was trained in interrogation. I'm very good at asking
questions. It's just that you can't answer. Or maybe you can. If you can make that sound on
purpose, it's part of the answer to our problem."

Duo clucked a few times to prove that he could do it when he wanted.

"Good. Excellent. Once for no, twice for yes." Duo grinned happily. "And I assure you that I'm
very good at getting to the truth. Now. I'm going to take a bath and you're going to finish your
lines."

Duo went back and started writing again. By the time he was done his knees were sore, his back
ached and his hands were covered with dirt and chalk. Heero was sitting in his chair watching.

Duo wearily got to his feet and went to the door. He turned to look at Heero but Heero just
flicked his fingers in a go on gesture. Duo obeyed.

He went to the well down three flights of stairs, got two buckets and brought them back up. He
found brushes and rags. Then he knelt down and started scrubbing off his lines. He knew Heero
had counted them while he was getting the water.

Heero watched for a moment, then did the same thing his old master had done. He got a brush,
knelt down, and started to scrub too.

~ * ~

After cleaning the floor and disposing of the dirty water, they were both tired. Heero was sweaty
again, as he'd only wiped himself down with a wet rag, forgoing his bath until now.

Duo was nearly staggering by the time they were done and Heero wrapped his arm around Duo's
shoulders. They both stripped down and slid into the now cold water. Heero pulled the plug and
let out about half the water, he got back out, went to the fire place and used the cans of water
warming there to refill the tub.

The tub was big enough that there was plenty of room for both of them to be comfortable.

Duo carefully washed Heero and put more cream on his hot spots. Then Heero returned the
favor.

He had Duo stand up in the tub so that he could wash him. He was careful not to touch him in
any frightening way.

"Here, sit on my lap. I'll wash you. Don't be afraid."

Duo settled himself on Heero's lap draping his legs over his at the knee. Leaving himself open to
Heero's touch.

Heero carefully washed Duo's chest, rubbing his rough warriors hands over sensitive nipples. He
washed then rinsed Duo's chest while Duo sighed softly. He thought it was nice of Heero to be
so gentle, never realizing Heero's intention to teach him that his touch didn't hurt.

After rinsing Duo's chest and stomach Heero went lower, carefully and slowly washing between
Duo's legs. Duo snatched at Heero's wrist, gripping tightly. Heero just waited for a moment then
continued what he'd been doing, letting Duo hold his wrist.

He soaped Duo's cock and balls with careful strokes, doing nothing to make the skittish man
take off.

"There. That's done. See I didn't hurt you. Relax. I really don't want to fish you out from under
the bed again. Now I want to touch you . . . there."

Duo stiffened for a moment but relaxed again as Heero just soaped his hand and began to wash
Duo from behind. He started at the shoulders, pushing Duo to lean forward so he could work. He
carefully stroked his hands over the whip scars, soaping them; forcing his hands not to pause,
forcing himself not to notice. Duo sighed in surrender and relaxed completely.

Heero continued to wash Duo, sliding his hands lower and lower until, "Lean back again. I can't
get to you in this position."

Duo leaned back against Heero's chest and wriggled to get comfortable again. He was open,
relaxed, and drowsy. Heero gently reached over Duo's genitals and washed his anus. Duo
flinched and started to grab again, then he just settled back with another sigh.

"That's right. Just relax. I'm not going to do anything to hurt you. If it does hurt, you have to let
me know." Duo made an irritable face. "I know. We have to think of something . . . stand up. I
need you to kneel between . . . no, sit in the tub, so I can wash your hair. Why do you always
want to stand up? That's silly. You'd have to dip water up to wet it."

Duo frowned, but more in thought than in anything else. He obediently sat in the bottom of the
tub and waited to see what Heero would do.

Heero got out of the tub, stopping to swish his hand around to check the temperature. Deciding
that the water was too cold and too dirty, he let most of it out. He allowed Duo to dry him off
while they waited for the tub to empty and refill.

When Duo tried to get Heero to dress, he refused, simply wrapping a large towel around his
waist. He explained that there was no use in dressing then getting wet again.

When the tub was full again and Heero's hot spots had been kissed, salved and apologized over.
Heero helped Duo get back into the tub.

"Now, I want you to take hold of my shoulders. I'm not going to drop you, but I want you to feel
safe. I'm going to dunk you to wet your hair. Hold tight."

Duo gripped Heero's shoulders tightly. Heero pinched Duo's nose closed with one hand and
curled the other arm around his shoulders, holding him up. Duo leaned back, watching Heero
with open eyes as he dunked Duo under. Heero's biceps bulged as he held Duo up. When he
pulled Duo from under the water Duo smiled at him, eyes glowing.

"There's that look. Your pretty eyes are sparkling again. I don't ever want to see that sad look
again. I just wish you had done your lines. We wouldn't be in this mess. And remember that I
punished you for losing your temper, not for pulling my hair. Understand?"

Duo nodded splattering water everywhere. Heero snickered. "Now. See why I didn't want to get
dressed? I'm all wet again."

Duo peeked at Heero for a second, then scooped up a hand full of water and slopped it on Heero.

"Oh, no you don't." Heero gently caught Duo's hands. "I don't fancy you spending half the
evening mopping up water. We need to work on more signals. And I want to ask you some
questions. I'll be careful to keep them to yes and no. If you can't answer, just shrug and I'll try to
rephrase."

Heero poured shampoo into Duo's hair and started to massage it in. He checked Duo's head
carefully to see how his sores were healing. He was glad to see that they had healed without
damaging his scalp. He rinsed Duo by the same method as he wet him. This time Duo kept his
eyes closed to keep the stinging soap suds out. Heero started to pull Duo up before he was
finished washing out the soap but Duo seemed in no distress so he let Duo stay until he signaled
he needed up by pulling on his shoulders. Heero immediately helped him sit upright.

"You doing all right? I let you give me the signal that you wanted up. Was I wrong?"
Duo shook his head. He bit at his lip for a second, then decided a small offering was in order. He
submerged again and settled on the bottom of the tub. Heero watched him, puzzled, until he
realized that Duo was showing him how long he could hold his breath.

Heero watched, and watched, and waited but Duo didn't come up. Heero looked at his peaceful
face wavering slightly as the ripples made by his slight movements disturbed the surface of the
water.

Duo let a small amount of air out of his lungs and Heero panicked. He reached into the water and
yanked Duo up. He shook him sharply, a cure for drowning. Duo gave him a startled look then
put his arms around Heero.

"Don't do that. You scared the life out of me. How long can you hold your breath any way?"

Duo shrugged, thought then held up two fingers.

"Twice that long?" Duo nodded with a smirk. "Well don't. You get out now and dry off. Dress
in that warm dressing gown. It's still chilly in the evening."

Duo frowned, then made a cradling sort of motion, then shook his finger at Heero.

"I . . ." Heero shrugged. "Very well. No, you're not a baby. But put on the robe anyway."

Duo let his shoulders slump dramatically, shook his head, then went with dragging feet and
twinkling eyes to get the robe. He shrugged into it and brought Heero's own soft woolen gown
back to him. He held it out and waited while Heero stood still so Duo could toss it over his head
and pull it down to his feet.

~ * ~

After an evening spent in scribbling on a slate, gesturing emphatically, sharing a tray of broken
meats, cheese and bread, a lot of laughter, and a few tears, they had hammered out a few more
signals for Duo. Heero had gotten answers to some of his questions. And they'd had a great deal
of fun.

Heero sighed, stretched and got up. He pulled Duo up beside him and shook him gently.

"Wake up enough to get into bed. And no hard knots tomorrow. Right?"

Duo flushed then nodded. He helped Heero slip off his robe and get into bed. Then he banked the
fire for the night, adding a few bits of some herbal mix in a jar by the wood box. Wufei said it
would make sweet dreams.

The proof that it didn't came about moon rise. Heero woke to hear a soft sobbing. He got up at
once and went to Duo.

Duo was curled into a small, hard ball in the middle of the bed, all the covers over his head. He
was sobbing harshly and whimpering. That was what had woken Heero.

Heero crawled into the bed with Duo and pulled him into his arms. He cuddled him and stroked
his back in soothing circles.

"Duo. Pretty eyes. Come, come. Wake up. It's all over. They can't hurt you."

Heero talked to Duo and called him until he woke up.

Duo threw himself into Heero's chest and clung to him with a bruising grip. Heero held tighter
and rocked him, gently patting his back.

When Duo got control of himself, he started to pull the covers up over his shoulders again, but
Heero stopped him. He picked him up and carried him to the big four poster bed. He slipped him
under the covers and then crawled in himself.

"You're staying right there with me. And I don't want any pouting or anything. If you wake up
again, I don't intend to shock my system by putting bare feet on that cold floor. Lay down."

Duo obeyed and cuddled up to Heero rooting until he had his head on Heero's shoulder.

Heero decided he liked that very much.

~ * ~

The next morning Duo woke up stiff and grumpy but he offered Heero a gentle kiss on the cheek
in greeting.

Heero grumbled but kissed back, then he woke up completely and took advantage of Duo in a
most pleasant way. He rolled Duo over and pinned him on the bed, then he took his time kissing
Duo. Duo didn't seem to mind.

In fact he kissed back. Carefully at first as if he was afraid that kissing would lead to something
more. But when Heero didn't grab him he cooperated happily.

After a while Heero reluctantly broke it off, pushed himself up and slid off the bed.

"I have to get going. I'm going to have breakfast with several of the estate personnel. There's
much to be accomplished, but they will have their orders today. Then I'll be in the training yard.
If you like you can go to the stables. The head stable man assured me that there will be no funny
business. I trust him. He's a good man. Excellent with horses, and boys."

Duo sighed happily. He got Heero into his clothing. This time Heero was wearing a shirt, tabard,
breeks, boots, and a house gown. It was still very chilly early in the morning and he needed the
extra layer of the gown in the public rooms of the keep.

Duo walked with Heero out the door and down the first flight of stairs. They separated at the
second flight, with Duo headed for the kitchen and Heero for the small dining room. On the way
Heero decided that he was going to have the housekeeper get Duo some more clothing. He
looked lost in the baggy pants and cast off tunic he was wearing now. The black set had been
nice, so Heero decided to have her get him more, and make sure they fitted better.

Duo flitted through the kitchen and grinned at Cook. She handed him a plate and shook her
finger at Duo.

"Just because Master is eating in the dinning room just now, don't you go getting cocky on me.
You'll be carrying heavy trays up and down stairs soon enough."

Duo just grinned at her. "And I'd like to know what you did to get that nasty man put on the
highway. He wasn't worth spit, you know. Just . . . he had that haughty attitude that common
people hate and nobles seem to like."

Duo frowned, how to explain what had happened. Cook took the conversation off on a tangent,
rambling on about attitude so Duo relaxed and just listened.

Cook watched Duo out of the corner of her eye. He looked thin still, but stronger. He also
seemed a lot happier than yesterday. She decided not to ask too many questions.

Duo made a face. He'd intended to try to ask Heero for permission to go out into Wufei's garden
and to the stables as well. But in all the fuss last night he'd forgotten. He bit at his lip trying to
decide what to do. Then he remembered that Heero had told him it would be all right for him to
go to the stables.

He hopped up happily and headed for them at a trot, he wanted to get there quickly. As he went
he considered what he needed to do today. He had no cleaning to do, the bed was made and the
bath already set up. He would have lines but he could go to Wufei and get them just before
lunch. He smiled happily, this meant that he would have time to go to his secret place and work
out. He always felt so much better if he had time for the 'dance' and some thinking time.

~ * ~

The stable master looked up as Duo trotted in the door. He smiled at Duo and walked over.

"You're the Master's serving boy?" Duo nodded. "He said you're mute, so . . . but you make
signs and whatnot?" Duo nodded again. He pointed to his eye then the horses.

The stable master nodded himself. "You came to see the horses? Well, I'll be happy to show you
around. We got some nice mares, just dropped foals and the war horses. Come along. But you do
what I say. I don't want a flogging because you got hurt from not listening."
Duo followed obediently.

He stayed by the man and admired the new foals with soft coos of pleasure. The stable master
eyed him oddly, but didn't say anything, instead he led him to see the older riding mares.

"Do you ride?"

Duo bit his lip then shrugged. "You don't know? How can you not know?"

Duo made a fist, then lightly hit himself on the head. "Ahh, a blow to your head?" Duo nodded.
"Amnesia. That's nasty. Well, let's put you on Fancy, she's a good steady mare. If you knew
how to ride, it might come back to you. What do you think?"

Duo nodded eagerly. He wanted to try at least. So two of the stable boys saddled the horse and
helped Duo into the saddle. Duo had been afraid that the boys would resent waiting on a slave
but they were good natured and just laughed at him gently when he hung back. They urged him
to try and pulled him to the mare with encouraging pats on the back and a leg up.

After some fiddling which included checking the cinch and shortening the stirrups one of the
stable boys led the mare in a slow circle under the watchful eye of the stable master. Duo relaxed
almost immediately, this felt good. He decided he'd known how to ride Before as every
movement came easily. He seemed to know what to do without thinking about it.

He was led around several more times, then the stable master told the boy to let Duo go around a
few times by himself. Duo let the mare have her head and just concentrated on his form.

Finally the stable master caught the mare by the bridle. "Good, good. I think that's enough.
You'll be sore. You're not used to riding so you have to take it really easy. I don't want you
walking bow legged. Master probably wouldn't be very pleased." Duo climbed down and bent
his legs, walking comically bow legged, he made the stable crew laugh. He so wished he could
join them.

After sending the mare to be brushed and put back in her stall the master asked Duo if he'd like
to see the war horses. Duo was eager to do so and nodded vigorously.

"Well, I'll show you Masters horse first. He's a good horse. Has a good nature, easy to work
with. He's not like some war horses. He don't bite or kick unless you startle him. Then there's
no blame to him. If you want to be stupid around horses you don't belong in my stable. And
Master won't have a vicious horse. After . . . you snicker and I'll smack you . . . Snowball." Duo
rolled his eyes at the stable master who just shook his head. "He was named before master got
him . . . I'll show you the two reserve horses. Who don't have names. And I'm sorry to say we
got one in really bad shape . . . Master brought him in a couple of days ago. Stupid farmers had
caught him out in the high valleys. He's a Tomosram, probably came up from the low lands after
that last raid. So anyway. They starved him and then hitched him to a plow." The stable master
shook his head in disgust. "Didn't work very well. Lucky for the horse Master showed up when
he did. He threw a fit. Don't know what he did to the peasants, but he came back with that black
monster. He told me to fix him up and see to his training." The man sighed sadly. "It's going to
take some fixing, I'll tell you. He's just a rack of bones right now. He probably wasn't in very
good shape when those idiots caught him. If they'd brought him in, Master would probably have
given them a good plow horse as a reward. As it is . . . who knows what he did."

Duo sighed, he was sure Heero had punished them. How he wasn't sure. He just hoped it hadn't
been too bad.

The stable master turned their attention to Snowball, who was aptly named. The stallion was as
white a horse as Duo could remember seeing. He was also very mild natured. The idea that a war
horse would attack anything anytime was a fallacy. Most were fairly easily handled. Who would
want a horse that attacked the stable hands and was hard to handle. If you had to get into the
saddle quickly, a misbehaving horse was a liability.

Duo smiled happily as Snowball snuffled the chunk of carrot the stable master had given him,
then lipped it up and crunched it down. He spent some time acquainting himself with the horse
petting him and letting him smell his hands. He wanted to be sure the horse would recognize
him, in case he had to saddle him for Heero.

After he made friends with Snowball, he was shown the two remounts. They weren't anywhere
as high quality as the white stallion but they were excellent mounts. They were well setup and
well cared for. He petted them for a while then turned to the stable master and made a motion
that he wanted to go on.

"Now we'll take a look at our starved warrior. You'll be sick to see him. Come along."

Duo wanted to scream when he saw the poor horse. He really was just a rack of bones. So weak
that he was leaning against the wall. The hay net was full and the feed bucket was full of grain.
He had water and the stall was heavily strawed.

Duo clenched his fists at his sides and started to tremble. The stable master took this as a good
sign.

"Now . . . Now. Don't throw a fit. I already endured one from the master. He swore like an
Anchorite. I thought he was going to bust something. Horse is eating good. We just put up his
feed. He'll take a while to decide it's all right to eat it. We think he's been trained not to eat
without a signal but he's so hungry that he just can't hold out."

Duo considered for a moment then gave a soft whistle, the horse threw up his head and
whickered softly. Then he staggered straight to the feed and began to eat.

"Well, well. Where did you learn that? I'll be dipped in . . . ahem. Never mind. Will you take one
of the boys out back and teach him that?"

Duo nodded. He'd be glad to teach one of the boys the whistle, the horse would pick up weight
much faster if he ate everything he was offered. He would never get better if he was forcing
himself to hold off his feed for lack of permission to eat.

It didn't take long to teach the boy, who was now assigned to the horse as its groom. He was
delighted and thanked Duo, shaking his hand and offering his name.

~ * ~

Duo looked at the sun and sighed, he was going to be late. He'd spent enough time in the stables
that he would have to run to catch Wufei before he made the trek to the keep and found that Duo
wasn't there.

He made it just as Wufei was going out the door. He leaned over to catch his breath. He was
panting for air. Wufei gave him time to recover then asked him where he'd come from. Duo
pointed in the direction of the stables and Wufei raised his eye brow.

"All the way from the stables?" Duo nodded still gulping for air. "Did you run all the way?" Duo
nodded again. "Well, I think we could go ahead with your operation very soon then. That's quite
a way to run."

Duo shrugged, he could barely remember, but he thought he'd been able to run very far at some
time.

"Well, come in. I'll give you your lines, and a note to Heero. I want to operate on you soon."
Wufei gave Duo a sharp look. "You do want the operation, don't you? If you really don't, I'll
intercede with Heero for you. But he might not listen to you. I thought I could . . . well never
mind that. I had thought something but I found out that I was wrong. What do you want?"

Duo gave Wufei an exasperated look.

Wufei shook his head. "Do you want the operation?"

Duo nodded and smiled at Wufei.

"Well, that answers that. I'll write the note. We'll do the operation. Day after tomorrow."

~ * ~

Naturals is an obsolete slang expression meaning approximately the same thing as red-neck, or
bumpkin.

Jakes is another obsolete word for outhouse.