The Circle's End
Sherlgirl@mindspring.com
http://www.mindspring.com/~sherline/animania/esca
===================================================================================
"I will never love again."
A man and woman stood in the dim light of a royal chamber. They regarded each other with a familiarity that defied their status.
He - Allen Schezar - was a knight.
She - Eries Aria Aston - was a princess.
She looked at him briefly with eyes full of emotion at his declaration, then at the small figure lying on the bed behind him. First Marlene, Millerna, and Hitomi - this girl from another place?
She choked back bitter tears. "Liar!" she spat. Barely able to contain her misery, she fled the room.
-------
Allen Schezar, the golden knight of Asturia, had waltzed into the life of Eries Aria Aston six years ago now. Only 16 then, he was already a master swordsman and among the youngest admitted among the Knights Caeli, having been trained by Balgus, samurai of Fanelia and one of the undisputed legends of Gaea.
His stunning good looks, his confidence and courteous air -- had set him apart from the other knights. He became a sought after companion for the ladies, particularly for the youthful princesses. She had seen him quite often in the employ around the court, but never marked him any special attention. Nor should she have, as princess and successor to the throne.
It was a very simple thing that first made her take notice of him. Millerna and the children had been playing in one of the many gardens around the palace, and poor Millerna had impetuously climbed a tree, only to become too afraid to climb back down. The children and one of the maids had come to her, asking for her help. Although Millerna might have preferred her livelier elder sister Marlene to come to her aid, Marlene was away much more, touring the kingdom with her father.
Eries stared up at the large tree though and wondered what use she could be. "Millerna," she finally sighed, "I wish you'd stop climbing and then deciding that you were scared of heights."
She motioned over to one of the maidservants, who had brought over a large cloth. "Nana and I will hold out a cloth , and you must jump towards it, so we can catch your fall."
"No!!" Millerna began crying and screaming simultaneously, "I'll break my neck!"
"Millerna," Eries pleaded, "Please trust me. We won't let you fall."
"Noonononono!" Millerna was red with rage.
"The princess is an excellent screamer," a bemused voice came from behind her.
Eries turned around, "Ever since mother..." Her voice faded in surprise as she looked up and lost herself in the deep blue eyes of Allen Schezar. She composed herself quickly, hoping he didn't see that momentary lapse in attention. "Ever since mother passed away, Millerna has been difficult to deal with." She looked down, "She misses her the most, and I make a poor substitute."
"Well, then," he cocked his head and smiled down at Eries. "I'm glad I happened to walk by. Knights always avail themselves to rescue damsels in distress, especially if they happen to be a princess."
"But how?" Eries looked up at the tree and then back at him. She knitted her brow as he began stripping off his cloak and outer garments.
"If the princess will not come down, then we must go to the princess." Allen took a rope from one of the servants. "Princess," he called up to the trembling little girl, " I am going to throw this over the branch you're on. Don't move when it comes by you -- just simply let it drop."
Millerna nodded, with wide open eyes as the rope sailed past her and back down to the other side. Allen had launched the rope such that it lay over the branch and its two ends were back on the ground.
He had motioned over to several people to hold both ends of the rope. Then with a slight jump, he grabbed the rope within his hands and began to climb. Within a few minutes, he was up in the tree , next to Millerna. "Come," he motioned to her as he sat on the branch. "Hang on to my neck, and close your eyes."
Instinctively, Millerna obeyed without complaint. She clung on tightly, eyes squeezed shut, as Allen more slowly climbed down the rope and handed the girl to her elder sister.
"Millerna," Eries folded the little girl into her arms and closed her eyes. "Please don't ever do that again, alright? Knights aren't always around to pull little princesses out of trees."
Millerna answered with a shake of her head and turned around to look again at Allen, "I like knights."
"I do too, Millerna," Eries finally let her go, "Now go with Nanny . You need to rest and wash up for dinner."
With a big happy "Okay" Millerna skipped away without a look back.
"I'm sorry," Eries finally remembered that Allen was observing them, "thank you for your assistance. Millerna would have thanked you properly but she is apt to forget."
Allen said lightly, "Your thanks are more than sufficient, Princess."
"I do not think that fair." Eries colored as she bowed slightly, "Any favor you ask, I am inclined to give."
"Princess--" he looked at her gently, "you should guard your promises as if I were not held to a code of honor, I might claim my favor." He saw her blush further, indicating her complete innocence on the affairs of men and women. "But, I will ask simply that you let me accompany you on your trek tomorrow to the orphanages and churches."
"Really?" Eries almost asked why - but the serious manner in which he asked her made her decide to hold the next question for another time. "Alright," she smiled, "come join us at the east stables at the midmorning hour."
"Thank you," Allen bowed, a sudden pleased look quickly passed over his face, transforming it into a dazzling sight. "Until then, Princess..."
"Until then," Eries whispered in reply as she watched him return to the castle.
--
It was only after dozens of visits to the orphanages and churches that
Eries eventually learned the reason behind Allen's desire to continue coming. The knight's lonely past was known amongst some circles. Everyone in his family had died or disappeared, including his young sister Celena - who had gone off to play, never to return
She observed him while he played and alternately disciplined the children who would come to them --discipline and love that perhaps he would have given his lost sister.
"Do you miss her, Allen?" Eries had finally ventured the courage to ask.
He had gotten a faraway pained look in his eyes as he explained this to her. "These children, they are too young to be Celena's age now. But I still look for her everywhere." He paused thoughtfully and after a few minutes of mutual contemplation, turned to her. "What brings you out here almost every day?"
"Memories as well." She smiled painfully, and looked away. "Mother always used to bring me out here while she was supervising various efforts to help the people of Asturia. When she passed away, I decided to continue her work. It helps me feel less alone."
Eries looked up again in time to see him nod. They felt a brief moment of kinship in their mutual loneliness.
Eries treasured these moments. She rarely had any sense of connection to anyone at court. Since her mother had passed away, her father could not fill the void she had left. Her father was rather distant and always busy. Marlene rarely spent time with either her or Millerna, as she was too busy. Eries, the sister who in comparison, paled in accomplishment and beauty, could only be overlooked by the rest of the court.
Soon, Eries could not help experiencing strange feelings in her heart every time she would find him waiting for her outside the stables, or he would carefully place a child into her arms.
She couldn't stop laughing with the children, as they attempted to keep pace with the Knight's long strides. "Allen! Allen!" they would all call out as they tried to catch up with the knight.
By this time, Eries knew she was in love with Allen.
She wished she could go to him as openly and freely as they did, to reach up and show him he joy he gave her inside. But she also knew the terrible danger a confession would pose to both him and to her. She dared not tell him or even show him the slightest favor, fearing her father would depose this young upstart, ruining his reputation.
Fortunately for her weakening resolve, she saw him less and less. The increase in visitors from neighboring lands meant Allen no longer had time to accompany her on her visits to the children. He was often called to join the other Knights in various ceremonies and patrols. She was glad to have this temptation removed, but also found her heart heavy.
Her father mistook her heartache as boredom . "Eries," he spoke to her one day while dining, "Your elder sister will return in a few days time. All will change, once Marlene returns." He smiled , convinced that Marlene alone could rouse the palace out of its current malaise.
"Yes father," Eries nodded dutifully, not knowing how prophetic his words would be.
Sherlgirl@mindspring.com
http://www.mindspring.com/~sherline/animania/esca
===================================================================================
"I will never love again."
A man and woman stood in the dim light of a royal chamber. They regarded each other with a familiarity that defied their status.
He - Allen Schezar - was a knight.
She - Eries Aria Aston - was a princess.
She looked at him briefly with eyes full of emotion at his declaration, then at the small figure lying on the bed behind him. First Marlene, Millerna, and Hitomi - this girl from another place?
She choked back bitter tears. "Liar!" she spat. Barely able to contain her misery, she fled the room.
-------
Allen Schezar, the golden knight of Asturia, had waltzed into the life of Eries Aria Aston six years ago now. Only 16 then, he was already a master swordsman and among the youngest admitted among the Knights Caeli, having been trained by Balgus, samurai of Fanelia and one of the undisputed legends of Gaea.
His stunning good looks, his confidence and courteous air -- had set him apart from the other knights. He became a sought after companion for the ladies, particularly for the youthful princesses. She had seen him quite often in the employ around the court, but never marked him any special attention. Nor should she have, as princess and successor to the throne.
It was a very simple thing that first made her take notice of him. Millerna and the children had been playing in one of the many gardens around the palace, and poor Millerna had impetuously climbed a tree, only to become too afraid to climb back down. The children and one of the maids had come to her, asking for her help. Although Millerna might have preferred her livelier elder sister Marlene to come to her aid, Marlene was away much more, touring the kingdom with her father.
Eries stared up at the large tree though and wondered what use she could be. "Millerna," she finally sighed, "I wish you'd stop climbing and then deciding that you were scared of heights."
She motioned over to one of the maidservants, who had brought over a large cloth. "Nana and I will hold out a cloth , and you must jump towards it, so we can catch your fall."
"No!!" Millerna began crying and screaming simultaneously, "I'll break my neck!"
"Millerna," Eries pleaded, "Please trust me. We won't let you fall."
"Noonononono!" Millerna was red with rage.
"The princess is an excellent screamer," a bemused voice came from behind her.
Eries turned around, "Ever since mother..." Her voice faded in surprise as she looked up and lost herself in the deep blue eyes of Allen Schezar. She composed herself quickly, hoping he didn't see that momentary lapse in attention. "Ever since mother passed away, Millerna has been difficult to deal with." She looked down, "She misses her the most, and I make a poor substitute."
"Well, then," he cocked his head and smiled down at Eries. "I'm glad I happened to walk by. Knights always avail themselves to rescue damsels in distress, especially if they happen to be a princess."
"But how?" Eries looked up at the tree and then back at him. She knitted her brow as he began stripping off his cloak and outer garments.
"If the princess will not come down, then we must go to the princess." Allen took a rope from one of the servants. "Princess," he called up to the trembling little girl, " I am going to throw this over the branch you're on. Don't move when it comes by you -- just simply let it drop."
Millerna nodded, with wide open eyes as the rope sailed past her and back down to the other side. Allen had launched the rope such that it lay over the branch and its two ends were back on the ground.
He had motioned over to several people to hold both ends of the rope. Then with a slight jump, he grabbed the rope within his hands and began to climb. Within a few minutes, he was up in the tree , next to Millerna. "Come," he motioned to her as he sat on the branch. "Hang on to my neck, and close your eyes."
Instinctively, Millerna obeyed without complaint. She clung on tightly, eyes squeezed shut, as Allen more slowly climbed down the rope and handed the girl to her elder sister.
"Millerna," Eries folded the little girl into her arms and closed her eyes. "Please don't ever do that again, alright? Knights aren't always around to pull little princesses out of trees."
Millerna answered with a shake of her head and turned around to look again at Allen, "I like knights."
"I do too, Millerna," Eries finally let her go, "Now go with Nanny . You need to rest and wash up for dinner."
With a big happy "Okay" Millerna skipped away without a look back.
"I'm sorry," Eries finally remembered that Allen was observing them, "thank you for your assistance. Millerna would have thanked you properly but she is apt to forget."
Allen said lightly, "Your thanks are more than sufficient, Princess."
"I do not think that fair." Eries colored as she bowed slightly, "Any favor you ask, I am inclined to give."
"Princess--" he looked at her gently, "you should guard your promises as if I were not held to a code of honor, I might claim my favor." He saw her blush further, indicating her complete innocence on the affairs of men and women. "But, I will ask simply that you let me accompany you on your trek tomorrow to the orphanages and churches."
"Really?" Eries almost asked why - but the serious manner in which he asked her made her decide to hold the next question for another time. "Alright," she smiled, "come join us at the east stables at the midmorning hour."
"Thank you," Allen bowed, a sudden pleased look quickly passed over his face, transforming it into a dazzling sight. "Until then, Princess..."
"Until then," Eries whispered in reply as she watched him return to the castle.
--
It was only after dozens of visits to the orphanages and churches that
Eries eventually learned the reason behind Allen's desire to continue coming. The knight's lonely past was known amongst some circles. Everyone in his family had died or disappeared, including his young sister Celena - who had gone off to play, never to return
She observed him while he played and alternately disciplined the children who would come to them --discipline and love that perhaps he would have given his lost sister.
"Do you miss her, Allen?" Eries had finally ventured the courage to ask.
He had gotten a faraway pained look in his eyes as he explained this to her. "These children, they are too young to be Celena's age now. But I still look for her everywhere." He paused thoughtfully and after a few minutes of mutual contemplation, turned to her. "What brings you out here almost every day?"
"Memories as well." She smiled painfully, and looked away. "Mother always used to bring me out here while she was supervising various efforts to help the people of Asturia. When she passed away, I decided to continue her work. It helps me feel less alone."
Eries looked up again in time to see him nod. They felt a brief moment of kinship in their mutual loneliness.
Eries treasured these moments. She rarely had any sense of connection to anyone at court. Since her mother had passed away, her father could not fill the void she had left. Her father was rather distant and always busy. Marlene rarely spent time with either her or Millerna, as she was too busy. Eries, the sister who in comparison, paled in accomplishment and beauty, could only be overlooked by the rest of the court.
Soon, Eries could not help experiencing strange feelings in her heart every time she would find him waiting for her outside the stables, or he would carefully place a child into her arms.
She couldn't stop laughing with the children, as they attempted to keep pace with the Knight's long strides. "Allen! Allen!" they would all call out as they tried to catch up with the knight.
By this time, Eries knew she was in love with Allen.
She wished she could go to him as openly and freely as they did, to reach up and show him he joy he gave her inside. But she also knew the terrible danger a confession would pose to both him and to her. She dared not tell him or even show him the slightest favor, fearing her father would depose this young upstart, ruining his reputation.
Fortunately for her weakening resolve, she saw him less and less. The increase in visitors from neighboring lands meant Allen no longer had time to accompany her on her visits to the children. He was often called to join the other Knights in various ceremonies and patrols. She was glad to have this temptation removed, but also found her heart heavy.
Her father mistook her heartache as boredom . "Eries," he spoke to her one day while dining, "Your elder sister will return in a few days time. All will change, once Marlene returns." He smiled , convinced that Marlene alone could rouse the palace out of its current malaise.
"Yes father," Eries nodded dutifully, not knowing how prophetic his words would be.