Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.
Note: MUST READ! This is the rewrite of my "Forgotten by Destiny" fic. I've written it due to my own displeasure at the old version. This story will be more comprehensive to the feelings of every character, and have much more detail. The other one was written with more "shock value" in mind. I would like that readers read each story, and tell me what they like or dislike about each version compared to the other. So let me start with our tragic tale.
Pallium Fatum
By Ryoko Porter
Chapter One Stringo Prosapia
'Fate does not jest and events are not a matter of chance – there is no existence out of nothing.'Gamal Abdel Nasser
In the cool shade of the forest, there stood a beautiful creature of heaven. A woman with wind dancing shiny black hair, and deep blue eyes. She breathed in the wonderful scent of life, the smell of wood and moss. And she watched the two happy children in her care.
Varie had taken her son and his little playmate to the forest to escape the burning heat of the city. The two children were inseparable, ever since that day two years before when Balgus had brought the little kitten to the palace. At first with the beast-girl being so young, her son often stayed in one room with her. But soon the young prince had become quite adventurous, and the girl followed faithfully. So now there was rarely a time when Merle wasn't by Van's side. Today they played a game inspired by her older son's up coming adventure, "slay the dragon". And Varie couldn't help but smile as poor Merle was slain very dramatically.
When the little girl was done dying, she popped up and ran over to the queen. After a small curtsy, she spoke in her cute voice. 'You're so pretty; I wish I was pretty like you.'
'But little one, you are pretty,' Varie assured. Merle only looked down at her bare feet. 'Why do you want to be pretty Merle?' the gentle woman asked.
'Because Lord Van likes the pretty ladies that visit Lord Folkin,' the girl's innocent voice replied with a hint of jealousy. 'Plus I don't wanna be the dragon no more!' she growled with annoyance.
Varie smiled. The little girl tried so hard to gain the attentions of her son. Of course Van did see her as they played together all of the time, she was his best friend. But even at such a young age, Merle wanted him to see her as a lady.
The queen was about to assure the girl once more, when Van interrupted. Her son had picked a single violet flower, and ran over to them. Then reaching up, he offered it to his mother adorably. 'Thank you Van, but why don't you give one to Merle?' Vari suggested as she saw the slight disappointment in Merle's eyes.
'Because she isn't pretty,' Van answered very simply. He did not see his friend's ears droop or tail twitch with sadness.
'Told you I'm not pretty,' Merle mumbled.
'But I think that Merle is very pretty,' Varie said hoping that her young son might take the hint. He stopped and looked at his friend, as Merle tried to look as nice as she could.
'She's not pretty,' Van reiterated as Merle's ears dropped once more. 'But she is cute.' Merle's ears perked up again.
'You think I'm cute?' Merle asked hopefully.
'Of course you are, everybody knows that!' Van stated honestly.
Varie couldn't hold back the chuckle in her throat as her son was suddenly smothered in Merle's embrace and affectionate licks. The two children had fallen to the ground at the force of the girl's happiness, and Varie could see the embarrassment on Van's face. He looked as though he couldn't decide if he liked the attention or not, but still let the girl lavish him with her love.
♦♦♦♦♦
It was another beautiful day in Fanalia, with the cool autumn sun over the city. But even with the fresh rejuvenation of the air, the city's people were tense with worry. Prince Folkin would be leaving for his trial today, off to slay a dragon. The late season would weaken the dragons enough for the young man to kill; an impossible task if the animal was at it's best. And it was expected that Folkin would only be gone for a few weeks. Never the less, the people of the country worried for the future.
The palace was full of rush as the servants prepared for the Prince's departure. Woman stored the dried foods they had made for him, as the men readied his weapons. He would leave with two horses, one to ride, and the other to carry supplies. Tools for every imaginable problem were packed, even herbs for healing.
The children of the palace were largely ignored as the people hastily worked. Merle was able to steal some dried meat for the two to taste, though neither liked the salty taste very much. Then they went to the stables where they knew that Folkin would be "hiding" in.
Folkin was admittedly nervous about going to kill a dragon. He knew that his father had done it, and his father before, but that did not settle his nerves. It was such a cruel act to both he and the unfortunate creature that he would slay. He worried about his own abilities both physically and mentally. Would he when it came down to it, be able to kill the innocent creature? Honestly, Folkin had his doubts about his readiness to murder anything, even a dragon for his sacred duty to his country.
Being interrupted from his morbid thoughts, Folkin smiled as the two children came over to him. He would dearly miss the two while he was gone, with the constant joy that they brought him. His little brother was so much like his father, while he'd taken more after mother. And the little kitten that was so precious in her unending loyalty.
'Do you really have to eat this stuff while you're gone?' Van asked as he chewed a bit of the dried meat they'd stolen. It was hard and tasted mostly of salt, a flavor that was indeed unpleasant.
'Well you usually put it in soup first,' Folkin laughed. 'But I agree, it isn't too good.' Then he gave a few carrots to the little girl and instructed her to feed the horses, giving him some private time with his brother. 'Van, I want you to promise me something while I'm gone,' he paused for a response, but only got a curious look. 'I want you to look out for mom for me, can you do that?'
'I guess,' Van said hesitantly. Folkin knew that Van loved their mother very much, but didn't understand her enough to really do what he was asking.
'And take care of Merle also,' Folkin smiled, knowing this would put his brother into the right "can do" spirit. The two were really perfect for each other, bringing out the best of both their personalities. Though it did sometimes worry Folkin that they had no other contact with others of their age, which might make them a bit drawn from others in the future.
'Can I be her knight, like you are for the country?' Van asked excitedly. He so wanted to be like his brother and be a hero, even if it was only for Merle.
'I think that she would like that,' Folkin smiled again.
Then as if being announced, Merle returned from feeding the horses. And with her was Vari, who told the children to wait outside. The queen wanted to say goodbye to her son in private.
♦♦♦♦♦
The disappearance of Folkin had left the entire country of Fanalia shaken. People were uncertain of what the future would bring, and how the royal family would react. They were worried about the new apparent king, who wasn't even a decade old. There was also worry about the queen, and her reaction to this new tragic loss. But that was only among the commoners, for within the castle there was a great more anxiety.
The war generals were nearly in a riot over what should be done. Some wanted to go and search for the prince, others thought that they should take over throne. But all agreed that they should step up the security, ready if any neighboring countries try to take advantage of their weakness.
What was left of the royal family wasn't at all taking the disappearance well. Van was barely eating and sleeping away most of the days. At eight, he was old enough to understand that his brother wasn't coming back. This confused and frightened him, making him withdrawn from everyone but Merle. The queen was in a state of shock, and entered a state of morning. Without her family, Varie had nothing in this world. She was only queen by marriage, giving her little political power. And her youngest son seemed to be afraid of being close to her.
It was almost two months after Folkin had not returned when things seemed to take a drastic decline for the family. One of the lords of the land had threatened to take the thrown, and throw out the 'troublesome Draconians'. The overwhelming opposition only saved them from other lords and ladies. And at that time, Varie had enough authoritative support to take the lord's title and lands.
But later that night, the queen was not so strong. She couldn't accept that her oldest son was gone, though none of the search parties had brought anything more than his supplies back. Something from within told her that he was alive somewhere, lost in mind and body. So she readied to leave, packing some dried food and other essentials.
It was far past one in the morning, meaning the castle would be asleep, including her youngest son. Making her way to Van's room, she intended to say 'goodbye' without him knowing. However when she finally entered the room, she found that while he was at rest, his companion was not. Merle usually did not share a room with him, but with the current events, she'd been allowed to stay with him whenever he wanted. Varie observed the gentle scene of the little girl sitting in Van's bed, with his head cradled in her lap. It was so peaceful and loving that Varie felt humbled. She could see that the two were as destined to be together as she and his father had been.
Quietly Varie came close to the two children, the girl bowing as much as she could without disturbing her charge. She could see apprehension in little Merle's eyes, and wondered if the kitten had any idea of what she was going to do. She kneeled next to the bed, lightly placing her hand on Van's shoulder. She didn't want to wake him.
'Merle, will you take care of Van for me?' she whispered to the girl, still looking at her son. 'Will you love him for me?'
'I already do,' Merle whispered back. Varie then looked at her, and saw that she did.
'I know, and he will need you. I want you to promise me that you'll always be his,' Varie wasn't entirely sure why she asked, but she felt it was right.
'I promise I'll always be his, forever and ever.'
'I thank you little one, and I wish you both happiness,' Varie smiled. The two females looked at each other for another moment, a bond of understanding being created. Then Varie kissed her son's head softly, telling him of her love.
Leaving, Varie never looked back, she didn't think that she could. Going to the roof, she looked at her home for the last time. Then with little ceremony, she released her wings and left. Never again to be seen.
'Goodbye lady,' Merle whispered as she saw an angel fly away from the window.
To Be Continued.
The title means "Stolen Fate" and the chapter title, "Diminishing Family".
