Author's Note: These first few chapters are a bit of a test, I'd like to see the reaction I get to the story before I publish more. If there is someone interested I could use a beta to help catch what I can't. Thank you and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own and pretend to own any of the characters or references toMiyazaki's work.
"What do you mean? You can't leave!" She could feel the blood rushing to her face.
He stood stoically near the door, his brows knit together and his gaze rested just beyond her shoulder. He would not avert his gaze, but he would not look into her eyes.
"I feel that it is for the best. I cannot explain myself further; I only wished to bid you farewell and express my most sincere gratitude for your kindness and generosity towards the people of Pejiete." With those words he made a formal bow and turned from the room.
She would not call out for him, but only watch as he walked down the hall and out of sight.
A breeze blew thru the hair of the lone figure sitting atop the windmill building. Fifteen years ago this was refuge for a small girl seeking to runaway from the cruelty of parents, mourning the loss of a small friend. Eight years ago it had become a place of peace and reflection where a young lady could escape and ponder the world she could and could not see from her rooftop sanctuary. Four years ago it had been all but abandoned as the world had come, swiftly and violently to door of the valley.
Nausicaa mused on this point; it had been four years since she had found her way to her rooftop solace, and for a moment she felt as if the time had passed in the blink of an eye. That thought quickly faded as the reality crept back into her mind. Four years had passed since the defeat of the last Giant Warrior on the banks of the acid lake. Both the Tolmekians and the Ohmu had receded back into their rightful lands and for a year the Valley had begun to heal. With the help of Lord Yupa, Mito and Prince Asbel, the valley began to look familiar to those who knew it best and inviting to those to whom it was new. The survivors of Pejiete were few in number, and of those who accepted the invitation to stay in the Valley of the Wind soon found their new home in the valley and grew contented. For months the new, united people of the valley worked hard and were rewarded.
Though there had been whispers and speculation at first, the people of the Valley were content to lay aside the prophesy, which had come true in front of their eyes. Content, were they, to have their princess and the general consensus became that if she was to save the world that was all well and good; but the people of the Valley were content that she had saved them.
Nausicaa's brow furrowed as a sharp wind from the ocean scraped along her face. Not everyone had grown content. Yupa, she had always known, would allow himself to be blown with the winds across the earth in search of answers until he gave his final breath to the very winds that guided him. So when he became restless and spent his nights looking out towards the Toxic Jungle, she was not surprised. What had surprised her was to find Asbel becoming reclusive and stoic. In the first days after the defeat of the Warrior he had been lax to leave her side; helping her to regain her strength, being a confidant and partner in exploit. Within months a shadow began to fall over his eyes and he began to spend his time in deep conversation with Yupa or walking the fields furthest from the castle, until one day he had knocked on her door, and in a voice that she didn't not recognize, took his leave. He and Lord Yupa had left and had not returned.
Over three years had passed since that day. Nausicaa had grown; now twenty-one she had grown into a woman. Outwardly, little had changed, her hair was now long, laying in a plait down her back, and her body matured nicely into adulthood, but on her face remained the serene gaze, which those around her loved, for it could not help, but put one at peace. She had become gracious, but fair ruler and for three years the Valley had flourished as it forgot the woes of the outside world.
The days and nights had gone by, almost without notice and she long since forgotten the call of her old sanctuary until this night, when without a thought she had found herself on the roof, the wind upon her face and her thought lost. Though tonight she did not gaze out on to the water, but rather let her eyes wander into the forest that barricaded the valley from the world.
Tonight, something was wrong and the wind knew it, so she kept watch. The last time the wind felt like this, was and near destruction had been brought to the peaceful village and as she watched her stomach turned and her body tightened in alert. She squinted her eyes, there was something come through the trees of the forest.
"Mito!"
A scruffy head popped thru the roof. "Yes, princess?"
"Someone is coming through the forest. Stand ready." With that she jumped from her perch on to her glider waiting in its dock beside the house and with effortless ease she was in the air, racing toward the trees. Only hearing the faint cry from Mito, "Be careful!"
As she approached the trees Nausicaa drew her ceramic sword. It has been four years since I've had to use this. Please do not let that change. She landed the glider, dismounted and stood ready. A rustle in the trees gave away the intruders positions.
"Show yourself!" She charged to the trees. Nothing happened. "If you come in peace you have nothing to fear, but if you seak violence we are prepared to defend ourselves. I am Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and I demand that you show yourself!"
A few moments passed and the trees began to rustle again. Through the shadows appeared two figures, undefined at first, but slowly became clear. A man leading a horseclaw appeared and a voice could be heard, carrying on the wind.
"We are at you command, Princess Nausicaa," said the figure as it dropped to one knee.
"Lord Yupa!" Nausicaa cried as she dropped the ceramic blade in the grass and ran to the old sword masters side.