AN: I'm back with another chapter! I'm so sorry I took so long. I'm just really busy...I've just finished reading Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix(sp?). That book was great! Anyone else who loved it and would like to talk to me about it (I like hearing people's opinions on things...), e-mail me at: miss_c22@hotmail.com with the subject as 'Harry Potter'. Anyways, this chapter may disappoint some of you. You'll see why. -_-!

Thanks Avelyn Lauren for all your help.

Winged Love Chapter 8

Refresh your mind:

"Hit Hitomi?" Van shouts. I turn around to face him and my face brightens up.

"Van!" I hug him tightly and begin to cry. "He brought me here to marry him but. but." He rubs my back calming me down somewhat.

"It's okay. You don't have to go though with this."

"Yes I do. The King and Queen are forcing me to. It's already been arranged. I have to marry him."

"I. I." he stumbles on the words. "Hitomi, I love you."

Disclaimer: If I had any money, I'd buy Escaflowne. Unfortunately I don't.

New Plans

Van's words echoed in my mind. I stare blankly ahead and then suddenly a searing pain forms in my head. I squint my eyes shut and when I open them I am no longer standing in front of Van. Instead I am sitting on my bed. It was a dream.

Today is my wedding day and he isn't here. A tear falls down my cheek staining my night gown. I'm afraid of marrying Allen. I want to see Van. I close my eyes slowly and then hear a knock at the door. I know it's time for me to get ready. I decide I'm going to run away. I can't love Allen, not after what he did. I get into a simple dress and pack some things that I'm going to need. I quietly walk into the hall hoping that no one would see me. I sigh when I finally arrive outside the castle. Then I remember one last important detail. Where will I go?

-Van-

I reach the castle and see the crowds of people waiting for the ceremony to begin. I was about to fly towards the area in which everyone was gathered, but felt Hitomi's presence on the opposite side of the castle. I followed her aura to see her sitting underneath a tree in the garden. She's crying. It takes all of my strength to keep me from running up to her and hugging her.

A low rumble is heard as the ground shakes. I turn around looking for the source. Even though I see no one around, I know that Hitomi is in danger. I know that I need to get Hitomi someplace safe.

"Hitomi!" I shout out hoping to get her attention. She moves from her spot under the tree. She stands there and looks around. A guymelef suddenly comes into view and I see it lunge for Hitomi. "NO!" I scream as I fly towards her and carry her off to safety.

"Van? What's going on?" Pure fear is seen in her eyes. I want to comfort her, but there's no time. We had to leave. I pick her up and fly away from the guymelef. Something was really wrong. Why was the guymelef still following us?

-Hitomi-

I try to protest as Van flies me to who knows where but he resists. I feel safe in his arms and slowly calm down. I fall asleep holding his arms tightly.

Later I wake up to the sound of a fire crackling. I look up to see a topless Van with his wings spread out. I stare in awe at the beautiful white feathers and then he catches my eyes.

"You're awake." He smiles slightly and he moves closer to me. A slight blush reaches my cheek. Why am I feeling this way? I know I love him but. My uncertainty makes me shiver. "Are you all right? Are you cold?" I stare into Van's eyes and slowly shake my head.

"No it's nothing. It's just..I'm thinking." I finally say. I slide closer to the fire. I look up at Van and blush again. "Your wings are beautiful." Why did you say that? Why can't you keep your mouth shut? My face is completely red with embarrassment.

"Th. Thanks." He stutters. I laugh and slowly he joins in. Once the laughter dies down, he pulls his wings back and sits next to me. (I mean his wings are no longer visible.) "You okay? Did you want me to take you back to Allen?" His smile fades at the mention of Allen's name.

Is he jealous? No. he couldn't be but.

"Actually I don't want to go back. I was planning on running away." I stated matter-of-factly. Van looked at me surprised. "I'm not in love with him anymore. At least I don't think that I am." Van nodded in understanding.

"Where do you want to go?" I stare at him with uncertainty. I want to go back to Fanelia, but what if he doesn't want me there? I shake my head to clear my thoughts.

"I. I was thinking that maybe I could. If you didn't mind. Come back with you to Fanelia? I really miss Merle and can't wait to see her again." I answer slowly. He nods and stands up.

"Then Fanelia it is." He smiles down at me. Suddenly I remember the guymelef.

"Van, who was that person? Why was he after us?" I ask somewhat afraid of the answer.

"I'm not sure to tell you the truth." He sighs and helps me up. "The guymelef was definitely from Zaibach, but why would they be after us? We have an alliance with them." He trails off and looks at his feet. "Well they could be the same people that attacked Fanelia before but that does not matter now. Let's just leave, shall we?" I nod my head with a smile on my lips. He sprouts his wings and puts his arms around me. I blush a deep shade of red and hold on tightly as we fly towards Fanelia.

-Allen-

I wait for the arrival of my Hitomi. Van hasn't shown up yet, which is clearly a good sign. I hope that Dilandau stopped him from entering the castle. I just hope that no one else saw him. It's a good thing that his guymelef is invisible. I look over at Millerna and smile. She looks at me with pure hate. I laugh slightly as I turn to see one of my men run towards me.

"What is it Gaddess?" I ask only half interested. "This is my wedding day; I cannot be bothered with trivial things. Only speak if it is important." Gaddess stares at me with the same look that Millerna just gave me. Reminder for later. Make sure that none of my crew speaks to the princess. She will only turn them against me.

"Yes commander." Gaddess says with a smirk on his face. He holds his hand to my ear and whispers into it. "It seems that Dilandau."

"That's Lord Dilandau to you." I whispered back.

"It seems that Lord Dilandau has chased not only King Van out of Austuria, but Princess Hitomi as well." He laughs at this and walks away. I become furious and leave the chapel to find Dilandau. I chance a look at Princess Millerna and see her trying to control her laughter. Gaddess must have told her his plan. He'll pay.

I'm stopping there! I'm soooo sorry it took me forever to write this (and it's not even that long!). I've just been really busy and I had a little trouble trying to think of stuff for this chapter. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter and please review!

Thanks:

Avelyn Lauren - Hehe, I like your ideas! The note will come back to haunt Allen, I assure you. Don't you like my little twist at the beginning? ^_^

Sakura-Angel-04 - I'm glad you like it! And I did take long to update, I'm soooo sorry! I hate school...

Aya_chan - He said it, but he didn't...how interesting, no?

spirit element - I added Dilandau's name this chapter, next chapter he is actually introduced, in a sense...

some one - It's so true, Allen is a jerk! I've never liked him...-_-!

SabineballZ - lol, cry me a river. I like that song...somewhat...Anyways, it wasn't that great of an ending now that you've read this chapter, was it? And King Aston will be doing some 'chasing' in the next chapter. Imagine King Aston running, lol. Well, I gave a bit too much away there, didn't I? ^_~

Star Mage1 - They've gone away with eachother. See, your wish came true!