"But Father, why must I kill a dragon? What will that prove?"

Van ran his hand through his hair. This was not the first time he and Folken ,his first born, had had this same argument. He sighed. The night before the ceremony and Folken was still dead set against this.

"Folken, you are 15 years old. To be made a crown prince you must do this."

"But you're the king, you can surly undo this- this- outrage. The commoners will understand...." Folken paced back and forth with quick agitated steps. "I can't kill something...The dragons are intelligent creatures...I can't still the life of one away'

"I maybe King, but I can't undo this. Listen Folken, We've been over this, and I know how you feel. I felt the same at your age. If there was another way...." van gestured helplessly. "But you need your own energist in which to call forth Escaflowne." Folken sighed.

"I know that, Dad, it's just---" The door in the back of the sun lite room creaked open of Fanelia. Both men relaxed visibly when they saw her glowing face. Van smiled softly and went to kiss her check.

"Are you two fighting again, love?" She asked her husband.

"Not now Mom, I was just bewailing my fate....again." Folken learned down to place a kiss atop her head. Since last rotation when he grew to be taller than his mother, he had taken to doing this.

Hitomi smiled at her only son. 'He's grown into such a fine boy.' Her mothers eye took in his wild teal hair and sparkling purple eyes. He would be so handsome when he reached full maturity.

Van put his hand to Hitomi's swelling waist-line.

"How is the baby today?" He asked in concern. Folken's eyes lite up at the mention of his new sibling. Although he would be it's older brother by 15 years.

"She's fine!" Hitomi laughed off their gentle concern.

"Oh, and by the way, Ren and Family, along with Millerna's clan have arrived for the ceremony. why don't you go say hi, Folken?"

The thought of seeing the twins again pleased him. Folken hadn't seen the 18 year old twins since Dryden had expanded the business and they had gotten their own trade runs. Seeing Uncal Chid and Aunt Ren was grade too. Folken grinned 'I hope they brought Rika. I still owe her a dunk in the fountain for last time.'

Van and Hitomi watched their son run out of the brightly lite room. smiles crossing both faces.



~~~~~~~~~~


Folken rounded the corner at a high rate of speed. All he could think of was seeing his "family"!

Then -SMACK- Folken fell, dazed to his bottom while the sound of another body hitting the floor could be heard.

"Oooooh.....you could...watch...where you were going....Fly boy..." Rika sat up and rubbed her head.

"Me?! You were in my why?" Folken shot back as he slowly eased his way to standing. "Oh, I feel like I broke something...'

"Just like palace brat's" She sighed in mock distaste, "It's always someone else's fault..." Rika straightened her dark blue tunic with an air of snobbery.

"Why I ought to-" Folken made a grab for the young girl.

"Before you kill my daughter, why don't you come say hello?" Folken's face changed to happy surprise.

"Uncal Chid!! Aunt Ren!" He quickly hugged the two. 'It's been so long since I saw them, I even missed...Rika...Whoa-that's bad'

Over Chids shoulder he saw the twins and their parents alk up. Something akin to hero-worship filled the young mans eyes. They just looked so- free...so worldly in a way.

Deny pushed his shoulder length curls over his shoulder, his bright blue eyes sparkled as he took in Folken.

"Long time no see Folken! Why I think you've grown a foot!" he regarded his sister for her opinion.

"Your almost as tall as I am!" Tomi exclaimed as she hugged him. Her own mop if curls fell well past her waist. Millerna and Dryden stepped up another round of greetings were shared.

In a moment the King and Queen arrived to play host. Folken stood back and watched all the smiles and happiness going around now that old friends had gotten together. 'It's been far to long since we did this. I hope Aunt Merle gets here soon...Maybe dragonslaying isn't that bad after all.


~~~~~~~~~~


Allen watched as Chid danced with his adopted daughter. Although she didn't know him as grandfather, he tried to be as involved in her life as his duties allowed. Celeana was over in the corner talking to Ren. 'The way life goes in a circle sometimes confuses me. It seems such a short time ago that Van was doing this....'

"Reminiscing is for the aged and grey, old friend." Allen turned slightly to see the face that belonged to the voice, Although he knew quite well who it was.

"Ah, Queen Eries. I was just wondering if Folken's right of passage will yield the same results as his fathers." She nodded sagely, understanding his slight longing for younger days. Eries let her eyes linger on his features. His blond hair was even longer than their younger days, though some of it's youthful body was no longer there. It was liberally streaked with silver--which brought out the hue of his eyes.

Eries, herself, knew that the burdens of her country had aged her well. All that was there to indicate her own 43 years were the tiny lines at her eyes and mouth.

"These young people are the next generation, we must let them take the reins of Fate we ourselves have held for long years." she spoke wisely.

Allen shook his head. "Well, My Queen, there's no profit in morning of aged years. Come, let's dance, we can still teach these young ones a thing or two about grace." Eries smiled as this charming man lead her out to the dance floor.



End of chapter


A.N so another saga begins. sorry for the boring intro. Had to be done. plans for this fic is to get Folken through the dragonslaying then jump ahead a few years....I'm not saying more!! I hope you all enjoy the story of Van's son!!

Lady Hitomi Lei