Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne

Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne. But then you knew that already.

Introduction

The sun is setting on the planet of Gaea. Deep in the crimson sky flies a large airship, just a spot of gray on the darkening horizon. The ship's motors, roaring miles above Gaea's endless hills, are the only sounds on this midsummer evening. It is the only disarray in this seemingly perfect world. The Crusade.

Upon the ship, things are much less peaceful. The ship's captain, Allen Shaezar, is having a rather heated dispute with Van Fanel, ruler of the ill-fated country of Fanelia.

"Chivalry, chivalry, chivalry, That's all ANYTHING'S about to your, Shaezar! Stop being so Goddamn noble and save your country! I can protect myself!"

Allen shook his head. "Van, Van, come now. Zaibach is powerful! We must stand together against them! And it is my duty as a knight..."

"Screw your duty, Allen! Don't be a fool! Just mind your own business!"

Hitomi Kanzaki, a fifteen year old girl from the mystic moon, Got up from where she had been sitting, at the small table in the middle of the room.

"Please, don't fight with each other!" she cried, torn between the two handsome men. Van and Allen turned away from each other sulkily.

"Fine, Van, You win for now, but this conversation is far from over!" Allen remarked angrily. Just then, a voice rang out from one of the many doors leading into the ship's meeting room.

"Indeed, Shaezar, it is not." The three people in the room turned to see Folken Lacour de Fanel, alias Folken Strategos, Van's older brother and a former Zaibach leader, standing in the door way. Folken strolled slowly into the room, His black robes trailing on the floor. "While I hate to agree with you, Allen, I have to admit that you are right." Van's jaw dropped. Folken held up one of the long, metal fingers of his prosthetic hand. "Zaibach IS powerful, very powerful. But that is no reason to put yourself and your country at risk. Van is capable of protecting himself." Van's eyebrows shot up with surprise, but Allen frowned angrily.

"You will do well to stay out of this, Folken! Keep in mind that this is MY ship, and I can get rid of you at any time." he hissed. "Oh, and by the way," he added pensively, "It's funny that you, of all people, should talk about putting your homeland at risk. We all know what a magnificent job you did 'protecting' Fanelia." Folken's eyes clouded over angrily as he glared at Allen, prosthetic fist clenched. Just then, there was a loud grinding sound from below the ship's floor, and the sound of the engines began to grind to a halt. Suddenly, a small creature, half cat, half girl, bounded from one of the rooms and straight into Van.

"Wha... what was that, Lord Van?" she stuttered. Van looked at Allen, confused.

"I don't know, Merle," He told her, still looking at Allen. "Well, Shaezar?"

Allen's eyes darted frantically around the room. "I-I think the engine's failed!"

"Oh, fantastic!" muttered Van. Merle the cat girl clung frantically to him, much to Hitomi's annoyance. Allen was still choking on his words.

"Th- this has never happened to me before... The Crusade has always been the best ship in Asturia! But don't worry, the levastones should..." He stopped as the engine ground to a halt. Everything seemed to move at half it's normal pace as the ship began to plummet to the ground...

Chapter 1: A New Land

Samson Reyes walked through the dense forests of his native land, Tierania. He kicked the dirt up with his large black boots, complete with Teirania's military crest. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and gave a low, long whistle at the sight before him. There sat a large, tangled mass of metal, obviously an airship which must have crashed only a short time ago.

"Coeburn, Farnett, Gyre, Pawkyns, Smythe, Tagaki, Zypher ... get over here!" Almost immediately, seven young men, all in the same style of uniform, appeared in front of Samson. There was a general exclamation of shock at the size of the airship, and then one of the smaller men, Alastyr Zypher, whispered "Are there... people in there?" Samson shook his head.

"I'm not sure, Zypher, but if there are, they must be brought to the queen immediately. Coeburn, Gyre, Check the ship. If they're in there, we'll find them."

*****

Taeami Saerian paced worriedly about the throne room. Her troupes had been gone for a hour investigating the strange explosion that the villagers had heard and still there was no word from Samson. She bit her lower lip anxiously. The faithful leader of the Tieranian military was never late and always kept in touch with her. She sat down, then stood up again. What was taking him so long?

The doors burst open. "Your majesty," breathed a winded Samson, "We have returned." Taeami breathed a sigh of relief.

"And? Did you find anything?" Samson nodded vehemently.

"Yes, your majesty. Bring in the Foreigners!" He yelled over his shoulder, and moments later his troupes appeared with the unconscious crew of the Crusade. "We found them in the wreckage of an airship; The Crusade. Shall we take them to the dungeon?"

"No!" Cried the young queen, rushing towards them, "Can't you see they're hurt? We have to help them." She examined Allen's gentle face. "They are not Zaibach," she said firmly. "Hey, this one looks just like you, Samson."

"But your majesty, the treaty..." Samson began.

"Damn the treaty, Samson, I'll do what I think is right, weather Zaibach likes it or not!" Her expression softened. "Samson, please... trust my judgment?" He nodded.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Let's take them to a room, then."

*****

Hitomi Kanzaki woke up with a start. Where was she? A bed, a strange room... the crash. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach as she cried out.

"Allen!! Van!!" Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see a young girl, about her own age, with long brown hair and an enchanting smile.

"Hello," the stranger said quietly, sitting down in a chair beside Hitomi's bed. "You're finally up!"

"Wha... What is this place?"

The stranger laughed. "You're in Tierania."

Hitomi looked confused. "WHERE?! Who are you? Where am I?! "

"Tierania. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Taeami Saerian, Queen of this country, and this is my castle. Is that better?"

"Where are my friends?"

"Don't worry, they're safe. You're the first to wake. It's lucky my men found you when they did. You were all pretty banged up." Hitomi looked down at the white gauze bandage wrapped around her wrist.

"Oh... thank you... But I just want to see my friends now," she said quietly. Taeami nodded.

"I understand. I shall take you to them."

*****

The two young women entered a large room. there, in front of them, sat three beds, and in the beds were three bodies. Hitomi flew to one of the beds.

"Allen," she whispered, brushing a strand of golden hair away from his face. Taeami raised her eyebrows in interest.

"So that's his name. I was wondering. Oh, by the way, you haven't told me your name yet."

"It's Hitomi, Hitomi Kanzaki." Suddenly, Hitomi gasped. "Where's Merle??" Taeami looked confused, then a light of recognition shone in her eyes.

"Ah, you mean the cat-girl? She's fine. We kept her in another room." Hitomi looked relieved and disappointed at the same time. "Who are the others?" asked a curious Queen Taeami.

"Van Fanel, King of Fanelia, and Folken Fanel, his older brother," she replied, gesturing. Taeami walked timidly over to the two beds, looking first into Van's sleeping face, and then into Folken's.

"Folken Fanel," she whispered, hovering over him. "The name is familiar, and yet I KNOW I've never seen him before. His face is full of such remorse, such penitent sadness... It's intriguing..." Folken shifted slightly, and then his eyes flew open. He looked around, startled, and then his eyes rested on Taeami's face.

"What's going on here? Where are we?"

"This is Tierania," she replied quietly. "Queen Taeami Saerian de Tieran, at your service." Folken examined her. Feature by feature, she was not very remarkable, but there was something intriguing about her.

"Where is my brother?" He asked, suddenly very alert. Taeami stepped out of Folken's line of view so that he could see his younger sibling.

"Don't worry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "Your entire crew survived the crash. Miss Kanzaki has told me there were five of you on board?" he nodded. "Excellent. You were lucky, Lord Folken, you got away with barely a scratch. Your friend Allen, however, had multiple injuries." She saw Hitomi's worried expression and hurriedly consoled her. "Don't worry, we've tended to his wounds. He's fine now. You've all been out for a couple days, I'm afraid."

Folken nodded, unsmiling. "Thank you for your kindness, Your majesty." She shrugged.

"It's nothing, really. I'm all alone here most of the time anyway, so I'm thankful for the company. You are free to roam the grounds or the village if you like, I'll alert the guards. If it's Zaibach you're avoiding, then you'll be safe here. The Emperor won't come near this country. We have an agreement." Folken nodded as if he already knew this. By this time, Van and Allen were beginning to stir.

*****

Once the whole group had been reunited and introduced to their hostess and had eaten dinner, Taeami showed them to separate rooms and they all parted ways. After this, Taeami retired to the throne room. After a few minutes, there was knock on the door, and Samson entered the room.

"Our guests are all awake?" Taeami nodded. Samson strode over to her and sat down in the large, empty throne beside her smaller one. "You are upset, Taea-chan. Why?"

She cast her eyes in his direction. "I'm too young, Samson, I'm not even seventeen years old! I can't run this country on my own! I try to be strong for my people, but... I don't know how I'm going to manage. I don't see why I had to be born into the royal family! I'm not ready to rule a country!"

Samson got up and took her into his arms. "Ah, little one," He sighed, rubbing her back, which was heaving with gentle sobs, "We never get to choose our destiny. I don't know how to comfort you. I don't know what path your life will take. But I do know that since the first day I met you I've known there was something special about you. You may not know the first thing about ruling a country, but you have courage and honor. Those are the makings of a true ruler, Taea, and those are the things that make us loyal to you until the end. I lead those troupes, and I see everyday how devoted they are to you, their queen. Those men would gladly die for you. That's what counts."

She pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Thank you, Samson, thank you for everything."

"You are still unhappy."

She closed her eyes and sighed quietly. "What makes you say that?"

"I have been your friend and protector now for eleven years. No one knows you better than I do. It is our guests, isn't it? Is it the King of Fanelia? Or is it, perhaps, his brother?" Taeami looked at the floor.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Samson laughed. "You're brilliant, Taeami, but you should know by now that you can't fool me. Now, what is it about Folken Fanel that's troubling you?"

Taeami bit her lower lip. "Well... there's something about him, something... I don't know! He's so quiet, and yet his silence seems to speak volumes. And he's always watching, observing. It's unnerving and exciting at the same time."

Samson nodded. "You like him, don't you?" Taeami shook her head and looked away.

"I hardly know him, Samson."

"Yes but you still like him."

She sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway. He's from Fanelia, and that's miles from here. Besides, my heart belongs to my country, not to some would-be king." And with that, she got up and stormed out of the throne room.

From his bedroom window, Folken Fanel watched as Taeami climbed the moonlit hill outside the castle, and, sobbing, buried her head in her hands.

*****

Morning came quietly, creeping up over the dark horizon, waking Tierania from it's dreamless sleep. Inside the castle, Queen Taeami wandered the halls aimlessly. She wore a long dress made of layers of gray chiffon, and her long dark hair was twisted into an elaborate, braided design. Deep in thought, she did not notice Folken in front of her until the two of them had collided.

"I'm sorry!" She cried, and looked up. "Oh! Folken! Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"As well as one could expect, I suppose," he replied seriously. Then: "Is everything all right?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Yes, of course! Why?"

"I couldn't help but notice you on the hill last night... You seemed upset."

She laughed nervously. "I'm fine, really. I was just thinking, that's all." He nodded.

"I see. Well, I don't usually suggest this, but if you ever feel the need to think aloud with another person..."

She cocked her head. "You mean talk?"

"Yeah, talk." Taeami laughed.

"I might just take you up on that." They were interrupted suddenly by a door beside them being flung open. Allen Shaezar strode purposefully into the hallway. He bowed before Taeami, kissing her hand and declaring, "Your majesty looks most radiant this morning." Taeami shook her head.

"Please, just Taeami. After all, I'm not YOUR queen." Allen straightened himself up.

"Well then, good morning, Taeami." He paused. "Folken."

"Allen."

Taeami raised her eyebrows. "Okaay, well then, if neither of you need me, I be..." But Allen interrupted her.

"No, no, as a matter of fact, I DO need to talk to you. I had a wonderful idea last night. I think you might be able to help us with a little problem that we're having."

She cocked her head. "Really? Well, I'd be happy to help, but what can I possibly do?"

"A great deal, your majesty!" Taeami winced, and Allen corrected himself, "I mean, Taeami. You see, my country, Astoria, is in trouble. The Zaibach want to take us over. Our king has decided to collaborate with them, and I can't convince him not to. The only person who has had any influence on him so far has been Van," he paused angrily here, "So I was thinking that if we had another ruler come with us to Astoria, we might just be able to convince him. What do you say?"

Taeami's eyes widened. "You want ME to come with you to ASTORIA? Is this a joke?" Allen shook his head.

"No, unfortunately, we're very serious."

She looked at him, shocked. "I've never been to Astoria before! I've only ever been to a few countries other than Tierania, and..."

Allen waved his hand dismissively. "Please, don't worry! You'll be fine! I'm quite sure you'll be able to charm the king into seeing our side of things. After all, who could resist someone as lovely as you?" Taeami raised her eyebrows.

"Um... yeah. Well, I guess I might as well. I don't see what harm it would do..."

"Excellent!" shouted Allen. "We can leave tomorrow! I trust your men are done repairing my ship by now?" Taeami nodded. "Marvelous! I'll go tell the others!" And with that, Allen walked away. Taeami sighed, bemused.

"What's his problem anyway? Does he think he can get women to do whatever he wants them to just by turning on the charm?" Folken shrugged.

"It seemed to work with you."

Taeami tossed her hair haughtily. "I take offense to that, Folken Fanel! To think that I could be tricked into something like this just because some handsome knight from Astoria decides to turn on the charm... honestly!!"

Folken rolled his eyes. "So now he's 'Handsome'! No, you weren't fooled at all!"

"I-I... That came out wrong..."

Folken raised one eyebrow. "all right then, if you're so adamant about it, then why DID you agree to this, exactly?"

Taeami shrugged. "Because CHIVALRY demands it," she said mockingly before tossing her head and walking away in a falsely flamboyant manner. And for the first time in weeks, Folken smiled.

*****

"Samson, I don't believe it! They want ME to go to Astoria to talk to the KING! ME!!"

Samson laughed. "Well, you ARE a queen now. It's to be expected!"

Taeami shook her head. "I didn't expect it! I thought for a minute Allen was going to ask me to help braid his hair!!" Samson nearly spat his drink all over the throne room. "No, but really, I never saw this coming!" She got up from her throne and grabbed Samson's hands, pulling him across the room excitedly. "You have to come with me! We'll have such a good time..."

He shook his head. "You know I can't. I have to stay here. Who'll guide the troupes with me gone?"

She frowned. "We're not at war, Samson, they don't need you with them. But I do. Please, please say you'll come!"

He closed his eyes, knowing that if he looked at her he'd have to say yes. "No, Taea, I can't. My place is in Tierania." He let go of her hands and walked to the other side of the room. Taeami bit her lower lip.

"Are you mad at me? Samson, what did I do?" She walked over to him and lay her hand on his arm. He pushed her away.

"Please... don't. You didn't do anything. I would just rather stay here." She cast her eyes towards the floor.

"All right. I can't make you come with me. Maybe someday you'll tell me what's wrong." And with that, she left the room, leaving Samson alone to long for what could never be his.

*****

Taeami knocked tentatively on the solid oak door. After a few excruciating seconds she heard his quiet "come in", and gingerly stepped inside the room.

"Hi," she whispered nervously, "Can I talk to you?"

Folken Fanel nodded from his chair in the corner. "I had a feeling you'd come." She sat down on the bed.

" I didn't know who else to turn to. I just need to talk to somebody."

"What's the matter?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. I'm just so confused! I'm sixteen years old and ruling a kingdom when I don't even know the first thing about being queen, I'm supposed to go to Astoria tomorrow to talk to a King about problems I can't possibly comprehend, and the only person I've ever been able to talk to refuses to talk to me."

Folken narrowed his eyes. "Are you unhappy?"

"Yes! I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing..."

"No, I mean with being queen. Is this really what you want?"

She paused. "Well, yes... I've looked forward to becoming queen since I was just a little girl. But somehow... I don't know... It's just not as glamourous as I imagined."

"If you're happy, and your people are happy, then you're obviously doing something right." She cocked her head.

"I suppose."

"And as for Astoria, don't worry about it. You'll do fine. As much as it kills me to say this, Allen was right. The King has a weakness for pretty things. A few second with you and he'll be eating out of the palm of your hand. Don't lose any sleep over it." She laughed.

"I doubt the king will fall for such a cheap trick!"

"You'd be surprised. Now, as for your friend not talking to you, I can offer very little there."

She nodded. "I didn't think you could." she sighed. "He was acting so strange today! He refused to come to Astoria with me, and then when I tried to touch him he practically hit me away." Folken raised his eyebrows.

"What is your relationship?"

She shrugged. "We're friends. He's looked after me since I was five years old, when he first came to serve for my father. He's my best friend, we've always been able to talk about everything..."

Folken nodded. "I see. I would tell you what I think, but I'd say that it's best that I don't, for your sake. Rest assured, he still cares about you."

She closed her eyes. "There's something else... I'm worried about leaving for Astoria. I feel... wary... like something is going to happen if I do."

Folken furrowed his brow. "Hmm. I see. Well, there are two reasons I think you should come with us." He got up from his chair and sat down beside her. "First of all, we need your help. I'm not saying that your coming will accomplish anything, but as long as there's a chance, we have to try."

She nodded. "And the second thing?"

"Well, I think that leaving you behind might turn into one of the biggest mistakes I could ever make." She looked at him, utterly confused.

"What do you..." But she never got a chance to finish, because at that moment, he kissed her. It was a soft, gentle kiss, which lingered on her lips even after she pulled away.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered, fighting back tears. He closed his eyes and turned away from her.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "That wasn't supposed to happen."

"No, it really wasn't." she stared at the back of his head, a pained expression on her face. Folken breathed deeply.

"I'm sorry," he said again, "I'll leave now if you want." and with that he got up off the bed and started towards the door.

"No, wait!" She said quietly, jumping up after him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face her. "Don't leave."

"Why not?"

"Because," she said, drawing in an unsteady breath, "I want you to stay." And with that, she kissed him again. He held her against him, felt her heart beating, felt her resolve melting away. She touched the cold metal of his prosthetic arm and looked up at him with painful sympathy. She did not cringe when the metal claw touched her skin, only let him hold her to him as tears of joy, sadness and confusion coursed down her face. She looked up at him, her fingers caressing his pale face, and traced the purple teardrop permanently tattooed on his right cheek.

"Eternal penitence... why such remorse?"

He closed his eyes. She could almost feel his pain. "I've done things... terrible things... You need to know, before you get involved."

Taeami shook her head. "Don't tell me. I don't care what you've done. It's what you do now that matters." He kissed the top of her head as she buried her face in his black robes. "Why me?" she asked, more to herself than anyone else.

"You made me smile," he replied. She gave a joyfully little laugh through her tears as he said this. "They'll be wondering where you are." She nodded.

"I know. I should go." She walked to the door, opened it, glanced back at him with a sort of painful happiness in her eyes, and left him alone in the empty room.

*****

Taeami stood over her bed, on which was spread several items of clothing. She folded her clothing and shoved it into a small bag bearing the Tieranian crest. She was leaving the next day for Astoria. Leaving with Allen, Hitomi, Merle, Van and Folken. Her heart leapt at the last name. Ever since earlier that afternoon, she'd been walking on air. Even Merle the cat girl had noticed. Samson had, of course, questioned her on it, and she'd told him that she was just excited about going to Astoria. Taeami stopped folding for a moment. Why hadn't she told him the truth? she had the chance to, but she didn't. She had no idea why, she just... couldn't. There was a knock on her door, startling her out of reverie. Back to the door, she shouted for the person behind it to enter, and next thing she knew, Folken was standing behind her, his arms around her shoulders. She leaned back to see his face.

"Hi. How are you doing?" He spun her around effortlessly so that she was facing him.

"I'm all right. How are you?" She grinned.

"I'm great! Just packing to go." She gestured to the bag and the clothes on the bed. He kissed her and then sat down.

"So you decided to come then?"

"Well, yeah."

"Why?"

She looked at him with an odd little half smile on her face. "Two reasons. One, You need my help."

He raised an eyebrow. "And two?"

She grinned. "Letting you go just might be the biggest mistake of my life." Folken smiled.

"Hmm... Deja Vu. I see her majesty hasn't lost her sense of humor." She laughed.

"Never!" she resumed folding clothes. "I'm so excited about this trip! I never thought I'd see Astoria. It just never crossed my mind!"

"You know, sometimes you seem so... young."

She cocked her head. "I AM young, Folken!" she laughed. "Sometimes YOU seem so OLD!" He cracked a half smile at this.

"Point taken. Hey, how old ARE you, anyway?"

"Sixteen. Red, 15th moon," she replied.

"Your birthday's in two days? How do your people feel about you being away?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess they'll have to live with it. I'm going. There, all packed! It's almost time for supper, I'd better get ready." Folken walked over to the door. He had one foot in the hall already when she pulled him back and kissed him fleetingly. Then she shoved him out the door, muttering something about seeing him soon.

In the hall, Folken smiled to himself. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice Van until they had almost run into each other.

"Van!" exclaimed a surprised Folken. Van raised an eyebrow.

"Brother." Folken looked at him quizzically,

"Is something wrong?"

Van gave a sarcastic little laugh. "No, nothing. If you don't mind..." He went to step around Folken, and then stopped abruptly, turning on his heel to face his brother again. "Wait a minute... Did you just come from the queen's bedroom?"

Folken's eyes darted nervously around the hall. "I don't know what you're... I mean... You SAW that?"Van's eyes widened.

"What's going on here?! Brother!"

Folken squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm not really sure myself."

Van ran a hand through his hair. "I hope you don't mean what I think you mean!" Folken shrugged.

"Well, I don't know what you think I... Hey, why not!?" Van threw his hands in the air.

"Are you kidding me? The queen of this country with a former Zaimmmphhhmh!!!" Folken had thrown his hands over Van's mouth.

"Shh, quiet!" Van pulled away from his older brother's grasp.

"Don't touch me!" he said, more disgusted than angry. "Are you telling me she doesn't know about you?" Folken shook his head.

"She doesn't want to."

Van shook his head. "Well, you have to tell her! She deserves to know!"

Folken sighed. "I know, I know, but I..."

"You what?" demanded a rather angry Van.

"I don't want to lose her."

Van looked stunned. He looked Folken incredulously. "You're really serious about this, aren't you, brother?"

Folken nodded. "There's something about this girl. She sees so much... do you understand?"

Van thought of Hitomi, the way she always seemed to be inside his head. "Yes, brother, I know what you mean." Then Van reminded himself of his grudge against Folken and went rigid. "I have to go now. Goodbye, brother." And he walked off angrily. Folken shook his head.

"Someday, Van," He whispered to himself, "Someday you will see."

*****

The five foreigners gathered in the dining hall with the members of the Tieranian court (a small group consisting mainly of higher ranking military officials). The five were seated in a place of honor, near the queen's chair at the head of the table. The two guards at the door rapped their staffs on the ground loudly to silence the crowd, and then one of the cleared his throat.

"Her majesty the Queen of Tierania, Taeami Saerian." The double doors were flung open and Taeami entered. She wore a gauzy blue dress with a many layered skirt and a low cut top which fit her slender form like it had been sewn on her body. She had taken her hair down, and it now hung about her shoulders in soft, dark waves. Her eyes flitted across the court, which was standing for her entry, and she sighed irritably.

"Oh, sit down!" she muttered, sliding into her seat. The court sat. Several servants brought in plates full of food and set them down in front of those seated at the table. Hitomi stared down at the table, which was about half empty. Taeami saw the confused expression on her face.

"If you're wondering where the court went, this is it." Hitomi raised her eyebrows. "Yes," laughed Taeami, "It's small. The palace was built hundreds of years ago under the impression that Teirania's population would expand. My ancestors were... optimists, shall we say. Well, shall we eat?"

The meal went on in silence for a while, and then Taeami tapped her glass with her fork.

"As most of you know," she began, "I will be leaving for Astoria tomorrow with our guests," she gestured to Van, Merle, Hitomi, Folken and Allen. "I do not know how long I will be gone. Until my return, I will be leaving Commander Reyes in charge of my affairs. He has my authority to decide on all matters concerning this country, no matter how large or small. All decisions will be made through him. Is that understood?" The court mumbled several variations of 'yes, your majesty'. Taeami nodded. "All right, good." she sat down again, and the whole court began to talk and eat again. "That's all right with you, isn't it?" Taeami asked Samson. He nodded, and she hugged him tightly. "I'll miss you. Take care of everyone while I'm away."

He nodded again, breathing in the smell of her hair. "I'll miss you too," he whispered, his throat tight with emotion. The only woman he'd ever loved was leaving. She let go of him with an unknowing smile and continued eating. Samson put his fork to the side, suddenly not hungry. He watched as she slid her hand into Folken's beneath the table, anger and sadness welling up inside him.

After dinner, she told him that she would not be in the throne room that night, that she wanted to go over some stuff with their guests. He told her that was fine before she pecked him on the cheek and said goodnight. As she walked away from him (Dangerously close to that Folken Fanel, thought Samson), he noticed that she seemed happier than she'd ever been before. He bowed his head in despair. As you wish, Your majesty.