Rose Thorns

Chapter One: Shift in the Wind

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne but I own the original characters that I have created.

It started off with a dream; a strange dream. I have always understood my dreams but this one brought out confusion. I am standing in a field somewhere and I see dragons. Then one by one they begin to disappear into thin air. I see a dragon that looks like Alden but I know it isn't him; it is his heir Arndis. I had given him my pendant to save his life. I try to walk towards him but it seems like I can never reach him. Suddenly I feel faint, I am on my hands and knees and I can't breathe.

Call for a doctor, her breathing is shallow

Who is she? Where did she come from?

Have you ever seen her before?

There is a crest on her ring.

Voices were all I could hear. I could not see or feel anything; all I heard were voices. I don't know how long I was unmoved but when I could see the crack of light surfacing from my eyes I did not recognize anything. I blinked a couple of times to stop the coloured spots I was seeing. I rubbed my eyes slowly in circles until I could see a hazy image around me. Very slowly inch by inch I pushed myself onto the elbows and was proceeding to pull my upper body forward when I was forcefully pushed down again.

"Don't try and get up," the oddly dressed female said.

"Too late,"

"Doctor Kanzaki won't be pleased with me if he sees you out of bed,"

"Where is he?" I demanded upon hearing that name.

"He had to step out for a moment but he'll be right back"

"Tell him I want to see him immediately,"

"Yes, yes now lie still," I obeyed wishing her to leave me alone. She fussed for a bit over the bedding and then she finally left the room.

"Mama,"

I opened my eyes to see my four year old son Zephyr standing beside my bed holding his twin sister Abira in one hand.

"What's wrong, darlings?" I asked sitting up on my knees shaking off the ominous feeling of my recent dream.

"Can we stay with you tonight? The storm is frightening."

"Oh yes the lightning is loud isn't it?" I said pulling the covers out for them to climb into.

As I held my arms around them, listening to their breathing, I had a feeling of foreboding that was beyond my control. I sensed it in the air; there was a definite change in the wind.

I slowly got up to a sitting position taking several minutes to catch my breath as even a small movement took away so much energy. Pushing the blanket aside, I gripped the metal bars on each side of the bed to push my body off the bed. I wobbled as I set my feet tentatively on the cool floor. I scanned the room for my clothes as I was wearing a distasteful green gown. Spotting them fold neatly on the corner chair, I attempted to move but found my arm was caught. A tube attached to my wrist through a beeping machine. I studied my arm and painfully pulled out the tub. A couple more steps to pick up my clothes and sit down again left me panting for breath. I slowly pulled on my original clothes noticing that there was a cup of some material which contained water. I drank the cool liquid feeling it danced around my throat and flow through my body. I felt refreshed and proceeded to walk slowly towards the door. I stepped out of the room to see the hallway empty. Hushed voices could be heard up ahead as I turned in the opposite direction. My head was spinning as there were so many doors, some locked and others open with people lying on the bed. Was I in an infirmary? There were so many things that were out of place and the sudden realization of not being in Fanelia hit me. I leaned against the wall using my hands to prevent my slip. I deduced that I had been found somewhere else since someone had changed my clothing. Continually to look for an exit, I travelled further down the hall. At last, there was assign marked Exit. Pushing out the door, bright lights blinded me while my feet came in contact with the rough ground. There were trees lined along a wide road. I walked to the paving and turned to see where I had come from. It was a fairly large house, that it almost blotched the sun.

How do I find what I am looking for?

Follow your instincts

Hiro Kanzaki

"What do you mean she's not there!" I yelled.

"I told her to stay still and then I went to find you," the nurse said back.

"She could be anywhere," Hiro swore under his breath and made a quick dash to the patient's room. The gown was discarded on the chair and her other strange clothing was missing. I started to pace around the room when a flicker of something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

Shayndel

After I turned the children to bed, I found myself unable to fall asleep. In middle of the night, I found myself wondering the gardens. I was grateful for the robe that I had thrown over my nightgown as I treaded through the dewy grass barefoot. The moon was full and glowing in all its glory and the stars winked throughout the sky. Entranced by the sight, time passed by me unbeknownst. At last, I took my gaze off the sky and proceeded back to bed. I was turning a corner, not aware of my surroundings when a long dark shadow fell over me. I halted and forced my eyes to seek the half shadowed figure standing before me. I didn't' need to see the face to realize who it was. His tall lanky form and broad shoulders was something I longed to hold onto and these several months found me speechless to muster a word. Following the desire of my heart, I took a step forward.

"Are you real or just a dream?
"I could not be real if I wasn't standing in front of you,"

"Show me,"

Without a second word from me, He pulled me into his arms and took off. His wings opened so fast, I barely registered that I was flying high up in the air. The speed and wind exhilarated me. After a whirlwind above, we finally landed where now the ground seemed very unstable. I grabbed a fist of his tunic to prevent me from falling.

"Are you convinced?" he asked slipping his arms around my waist.

"I think…even in a dream you would still be real to me,"

He pulled me closer and captured my mouth into a kiss that left me feeling breathless and weak in my knees. Good thing he was holing me up. Silence was logically followed for we both knew what was in our hearts. He has returned to me.

Hiro

Where was she going?

I kept my distance from her as she walked like she knew where she was going. From the look of her appearance, it was obvious she wasn't from here yet she was leading me to a place that struck a familiar chord with me. We were at the race track where my sister would come and practice running. Her figure dwarfed compared to the size of the stadium. The sun was just beginning to set and the colours of the horizon shone on her hair.

"Why are you here?" she asked, her back still facing me.

"You left the hospital. If I didn't catch you out from the window, who knows what could happen to you!"

"That's not the only reason or else I would be facing that nurse of yours," she replied turning to face me.

When she was brought into the clinic, I didn't get a chance to look at her properly. She wore a green medieval-looking dress that matched her green eyes. Her long willow hair was braided back from her face. She wore no jewellery except for the emerald ring on her finger.

"I admit I came out here alone because you remind me of someone"

"What is your name, sir?"

"Hiro, Hiro Kanzaki,"

"You are Hitomi's younger brother?"

"How do you know Hitomi? You mean that "place" she disappeared off to was where you came from?"

"No, I never meet Hitomi. I have only heard of her name."

"From who,"

"Alethea." That name chased my heart to nearly stop.

It was a grim day. The world seemed to be grieving for the loss of Hitomi as our family was. I stood between my parents as we looked on the grave of my departed sister. I knew she was annoyed with me most of time for bugging her but I missed her selflessness in taking care of me. Standing apart from the crowd was a girl that looked about Hitomi's age. I couldn't help being curious about her. I watched all throughout the service and then sought her after during the reception.

"Were you friends with my sister?"

"Yes, she could have been my other half and I grieve that she couldn't be here with me…us,"

"My name is Hiro,"

"I am named Alethea."

Shayndel

I watched the various emotions play over the gentleman's face. He looked like Hitomi from the drawing that Alethea showed me. His hair was cut in a similar fashion and his eyes were the same colour.

"How do you know of her?" he asked after moments of silence.

"She is my sister through my husband's brother." I explained as discretely as I could.

"You aren't obviously from here," he concluded quite abruptly.

"Obviously you know more than you wish to reveal. Where do you believe I am from?" I asked looking straight into his eyes.

"Gaia," he said after a split second.

"Your sister was transported there when she was fifteen…"

"...and she met a King from a country called Fanelia. She used to tell me stories about Gaia and when I asked her if any of it was true, she just smiled at me with a sad look in her eyes," He laughed bitterly

"Did you believe?"

"I wanted to believe but how could I believe in a place I have never been to," he spoke frustrated.

"You can believe in it now and take me back," I asked.

"You can't, you are sick," he said.

"You are doctor?" I asked seeing the confirmation. "What is wrong with me?"

"It's nothing I have seen but it looks like some kind of cancer. Your body is weakening because your ability to fight diseases and sickness is diminishing."

"You can't save me but if I don't go back, I may be too late,"

"Late for what?"

"The land is dying; dragons bound to the earth are being slaughter. I have to stop them."

"But going back could kill you, you almost didn't make when we found you!"

"I have to take my chances. Your medicine can't help me but you are a doctor, will you help me?"

I felt him tense as he stood between two crossroads of his life. I knew the code that doctors followed to not pass judgement and serve those in need of care.

"I will come but at least let me get my tools,"

I shook my head empathically.

"We don't have time. Every minute we spend here will shorten the time in Gaia to save the dragons. You have to rely on your knowledge and your heart,"

"Alright, let's go," I agreed knowing that this would be my ultimate test as a doctor.

Nestled in a cocoon of warmth, I was suddenly jolted from my sleep when two "things" jumped on top of me.

"Mama!"

I sprang up from bed and tried to contain the jumping creatures. Blurs of flaxen hair danced around my face and giggling surrounded my ears as the jumping continued.

"How did we use to have this much energy?" I mumbled shrugging to get up on the shaky mattress.

"We didn't."

"Papa!" Squeals of laughter erupted as the twins rushed off the bed towards their father and latched onto his arms as he appeared from the adjoining study. Abira

"Did you take care of your mother while I was away?" Folken asked them.

"We did," they said looking over at me for assurance.

I nodded and opened my arms for their hugs.

"Mama, can we go riding today?"

"As long it's alright with your father," I said looking over their heads as Folken sat on the edge of the bed.

He nodded in confirmation. Another round of squeals and bouncing on the bed left me exasperated as I tugged them off to get them dressed and ready. That afternoon the four of us rode along the plains in high spirits that having a care for the world. It would be one of the last days of our happiness.

Author's Note: It's been so long that I have been into writing so I thank my friend pixieglimmer for inspiring again.