Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne. My writing is purely for the enjoyment of my readers and myself.
Previously: Van and Folken had a dinner for heroes in Austuria, and Folken stumbled upon princess Eries's hidden talents. Now, everyone prepares to travel to the kingdom of Egzardia. What no one knows yet is that fate has chosen them to be its next victims.
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Everlasting Love: Chapter Ten
The night gives way to the power of the sun as it rises and scatters its rays upon the blushing sky, morning dew glistens upon all vegetation and the birds sing their songs. The harbors and villages awaken to another day, people begin bustling for their ships and open their shops. Seagulls sing high above, soaring on the winds of the sea while within the castle walls final preparations are made for today's travelers. In the courtyard, two large, royal coaches sit waiting for their passengers to arrive. Aston steps into the sunlight and kisses each of his daughters upon the forehead, wishing them safe travel and to return to him as beautiful as they are this morning. Each daughter understands his fear and kisses his hands in good-bye.
They rise from their curtseys just as their traveling companions arrive. Van and Merle pause to thank the king for his kindness and support before being led into the coaches, Van in the first and Merle in the second. Folken steps up to Aston and nods, thanking the king for everything that has been promised to Fanelia. Aston smiles and nods. He wishes Folken and Van safety in their travels. Folken is helped into the first coach where Van sits silently. Zire and Meegan are the last to thank the king and they are led to the second coach to ride with Merle and the presents to be given to Egzardia's king. Finally, Eries and Millerna take their seats within the first coach. And as the coaches begin to pass through the castle gates with soldiers riding alongside on horseback, Millerna waves good-bye to her father. Aston watches them until they are too far to see. He sighs, straightens his cape, and returns to the castle.
The first two hours of the trip are very enjoyable as everyone chats and watches the scenery change outside their windows. Princess Millerna does the most speaking in the first coach, talking about everything that comes to mind. Eries shifts uncomfortably, annoyed at how her younger sister still doesn't understand the importance of companionable silence. " I guess I was a very frustrating child." Millerna states, flashing one of her lovelier smiles at Folken who blinks at her. "You still are." Eries states. That off-handed remark elicits laughter from Van despite his effort not to do so. Folken tries and fails to hide a grin. Millerna looks at Van and joins his laughter good-naturedly, but manages to shoot Eries a warning glare. Eries feels her back stiffen. She knows that look in Millerna's eyes. It is not a good thing. " Well, maybe I should share with these fine gentlemen how you managed to anger the maidservants by filling their stockings with worms when they tried to cut your long hair, Eries." Millerna states very matter-of-factly. Eries blanches making Folken chuckle and Van laugh even harder. The laughter from inside tumbles out in waves and the soldiers, riding along side, glance at each other with smirks. They struggle to keep their faces straight as the two royal sisters wrestle with a small bout of sibling rivalry. Van and Folken simply watch and listen helplessly, doing there best to control their laughter.
As the trip continues Zire reaches out his window and snaps off a leaf from a low-hanging branch that passes by. He twirls the leaf within his fingers as Meegan and Merle watch the scenery in peaceful silence. The rhythmic rocking of the coach begins to threaten Merle's alertness as sleepiness begins to settle in. Up ahead in the first coach silence has engulfed the occupants. Everyone is now deep within their own thoughts.
The coaches pass over a large wooden bridge and through a valley of sunflowers, a sea of yellow against the deep blue of the afternoon sky. And beyond the yellow ocean are trees and mountains of deep, lush forests. The coaches fast arrive within its darkness, only a few beams of sunlight penetrating the forest's floor. The tall, strong trees stand on either side, ancient guardians to the secrets kept within this seldom traveled path. No birds sing, no animals can be heard at all, so thick is the shrubbery in this quiet place. As the coaches and soldiers make their way through the forest, the light beams play against the ground, spotting it with color wherever the shadows relent, creating a hypnotic sort of blinking when the coaches pass through the light and the shadow of the tall oak trees.
One of the soldiers cocks his head for a moment. A cold breeze suddenly brushes past and horses begin to whinny and refuse to be urged any further. The coaches come to an abrupt halt and the path is suddenly filled with rebel soldiers. The colors of deep red and black represent their affiliation and loyalty to Ziabach. " The Red Dragons!" Someone shouts in fear. The soldiers scramble to protect the coaches as arrows and spears are thrown at the unsuspecting travelers. Within the first coach Millerna gasps and Folken glances around realizing the danger they are in. Van looks at Folken for a moment, wondering what they should do. Suddenly a spear whistles past Van's face and embeds itself right beside Eries's head. " Eries!" Millerna cries out in alarm. Folken yanks Eries down to the floor of the coach while Van does the same with Millerna. Both brothers cover the princesses with their own bodies as arrows thunk into the inner and outer walls of their coach.
In the second coach Zire, Meegan, and Merle huddle, as those in the first, on the floor with the royal presents, hoping the Austurian soldiers will help them. But outside, the soldiers are greatly outnumbered and are overwhelmed by their attackers. They are mercilessly yanked off their horses and either beaten or stabbed to death, with the exception of two, who escape into the forest. " Who are the Red Dragons?" Meegan asks with wide frightened eyes. " It's a rebel group of soldiers from various countries. They believe in Ziabach and fight against anyone who opposes it. Meegan cries as fear grips her heart. " Are we going to die?" Merle asks with wide frightened eyes. Zire shakes his head resolutely and motions for them to stay put as he slowly rises to peek out the window nearest him. " What are you doing?!" Meegan asks as he suddenly leaps out of the window. Zire crouches low to the ground and rolls under the coach, hiding until he spots a moment when the rebels are distracted and crawls over to the horses, releasing two from their binds to the coach. He smacks them hard on their rears, effectively startling the horses even more than what they already are. The animals take off running, small dust clouds puffing after them and lingering in the air. Their escape grabs the attention of several nearby enemy soldiers and gives Zire enough time to leap onto the front of the coach. With one powerful " Hiya!!" He snaps the reins and the coach takes off with a wild jerk. It passes the first coach, now surrounded by the enemy, who prepare to climb inside. Something thunks and Zire looks up behind him to see that two rebel soldiers managed to climb on top of the coach. Zire ducks as one swipes at him with a dagger. The second tries to swing into the coach through one of the windows, but Merle swipes him across the face with her claws. Startled, the enemy soldier loses his hold on the coach and falls against a tree, hitting the ground hard and getting run over by his fellow rebels chasing on horseback, desperate to catch the runaway coach and the treasures inside.
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Back in the first coach Van and Folken are roughly yanked out and watch with anger as the princesses are also taken out and roughly handled. " Well what do we have here." One man states with a smirk. " You folks must be important. And rich I suspect." The rebels laugh and begin to tie the princesses' hands. One man eyes Millerna and suddenly tries to kiss her on the mouth. Eries speaks out and is instantly slapped across the face with so much force it sends her falling back against the man standing behind her. Folken and Van glance at each other, murder in their eyes. As one they twirl out of their captor's holds, pulling out their swords and impaling the surprised men in the gut. Millerna feels the grip upon her arms tighten and she cries out. Her captor begins to drag her into the forest and in desperation she stomps hard on one of his feet, biting his hand when he tries to grab her neck. Eries can't fight her captor as he lifts her over his shoulder and starts running for a horse. " Eries!" Millerna cries out and is tackled to the ground. She watches a dagger flash before her eyes an instant before a large sword knocks it into the air and a metal arm deflects another blow that would have hit her in the head. Millerna blinks and looks up to see Folken who bends down to help her up while Van secures a horse. He rides up beside the princess and his brother, his eyes bright and alert. One rebel gets too close and Van kicks him in the head while Folken runs him through. Van grabs Millerna's hands and helps her up behind him. " What about princess Eries?" Van asks a little breathless. " Don't worry. I'll take care of it. We have more chances of getting out of this mess alive if we split up. Just make sure you get princess Millerna to safety. I'll meet you on the other side of the forest." Folken responds as Van nods. " Look!" Van shouts, pointing to something behind his brother. Folken turns around just in time to see Eries and a large enemy soldier disappear into the shadows. " Go! Now!" Folken commands with a deep and powerful voice. " Be careful!" Van states before kicking his horse and racing down the earthen path in hopes of catching up with the second coach. An rebel soldier gives chase to the young king and princess, but Folken steps in front. The rebel raises his large sword, it flashes in the light. Folken takes in a deep steadying breath and raises his sword in readiness. The rebel charges him and swings down with all his might. The sword whistles, cutting through the air with direct precision. But Folken ducks the swipe aimed at his head and strikes the horse lightly on one of its front legs with the flat of his blade, effectively alarming the stunned animal. It bucks, on instinct, spilling its rider onto the ground. Folken quickly disarms and finishes off his attacker before jumping on the fallen man's horse and giving chase to the individual kidnapping princess Eries. He glances over his shoulder to see Van and Millerna escaping with relatively no resistance. Good! Folken thinks to himself. At least one of us will make out alive.
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Meanwhile, Zire tackles with control for the reins while fending off a rebel soldier who is trying to spill his guts with a dagger. Inside the coach Meegan and Merle listen to the struggle with fear. Merle chances a quick peek outside the window beside her and sees two to three horses catching up to them. Meegan screams and yanks Merle's head back into the coach just as the individual fighting Zire swipes his sword down, narrowly missing the cat-girl's neck. " Merle! For heaven's sake! Please keep your head inside the coach!!" " There are more bad men coming for us! We're all gonna die!!" Merle cries out in anguish. Meegan pulls her into a hug and tries to comfort her as best she can.
From the corner of his eyes Zire sees the upcoming enemy gaining on them and with one final and mighty surge of adrenaline, he manages to shove his assailant off the coach. The coach bops over a rock, nearly tipping over and Zire rolls onto his stomach and snatches the reins in an effort to steer them away from dangerous obstructions while ordering the two horses, still attached to the coach, to pick up the pace. He glances over his shoulder to see two more horses behind the original three catch up to the group. Oh great! He thinks with frustration. We have to make it out of this blasted forest to get help and save others. He worries returning his attention to the front. Behind the coach the three rebels finally catch up and prepare to hop on board when one of the two horses behind them catches up and gallops in front. One of the rebels frowns. " Hey! What are y—" But before he can even finish his sentence the man is suddenly decapitated and his body slumps off the horse to flop onto the ground, his blood seeping into the ground. The other two rebels are shocked when the rider before them pulls back his hood to reveal an Austurian helmet that shines under the passing light beams. One of the rebels shields his eyes from the glare and is suddenly sliced in two as a second Austurian soldier, also disguised in rebel garb, cuts into him with a large sword. Now only one enemy remains and he leaps off his horse, rolls on the ground and rushes into the woods in an effort to stay alive. The Austurian soldiers let him go and hurry to reach the coach's defenseless sides. Zire looks back again and is greeted by a nod and raise of the Austurian sword from one of the two soldiers now guarding the coach. Zire smiles and releases a sigh of relief turning back to the front as the end of the forest finally comes into view.
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Meanwhile, back in the forest…
Eries squirms as her belly is pressed hard against the back of the horse she is laying upon. Trees and bushes whiz by her head, some too close and snag strands of her hair, effectively pulling them out. She squeezes her eyes shut as her chest and stomach bruise from the awkward way she is forced to ride. Her head threatens to explode as each pounding of the horse's hooves threatens to bring her closer to unconsciousness. The burly man above her smirks and finally slows the horse to a stop. He jumps off and pulls her down. Eries blinks as colors swirl before her eyes. She feels herself hefted onto his shoulder again and hears the crunch of leaves and sticks break under his footsteps. Where is he taking me? Eries wonders. After a few minutes the man stops and slides her off his shoulder, allowing her to sink into a slumped sitting position on the hard ground. Her skirts puff up around her and she stifles a whimper as her stomach and chest throb. She feels her head pound and struggles to remain conscious. The man stoops down and yanks hard on her hair, effectively pulling her head back. She gasps as he crushes his mouth to hers, his tongue licking her soft lips. Eries stiffens her jaw and clenches her teeth, refusing to let him enter her mouth. This frustrates her captor and he roughly pushes her back against the ground, her beautiful golden hair splaying out around her head. Eries struggles to keep herself calm and try to think as he begins to nuzzle her neck and kiss her collarbone. Someone please help me!! She screams in her mind, unable to scream out with one of his large hands against her mouth.
Folken pulls his horse to a stop as he comes upon the abandoned horse. It twitches its tail and looks at him uninterestedly. Folken looks around warily before sliding off his horse and unsheathing his sword. He looks down at the ground and takes notice of the broken leaves and branches. His gaze follows their broken path and he narrows his eyes as a wisp of sunkist, blond hair hangs from a shrub up ahead. He breaks into a run, realizing that he might already be too late.
Eries begins to wiggle and squirm as the man above her tries to pull down her dress. Eries shifts her head up and bites down hard on his hand, which is still covering her mouth. The man yelps and she releases a scream that makes her own blood run cold. The man growls and punches her in the stomach. Eries doubles over and desperately claws at the ground as he continues struggling to undress her.
Folken pauses as a terrified scream shatters the silence of the forest. He picks up his pace and soon hears the muffled cries of someone struggling up ahead. He grips his sword tighter and hacks thick shrubbery before him to reveal a scene that causes him to tremble with rage. Princess Eries is lying on the ground, struggling to fight off a man much bigger than herself. The man doesn't realize that he's being watched and continues to harass and terrify the young woman struggling under his weight. Folken clears his throat and the man suddenly looks up and smirks. " Do you want some too?" He says with a sick smile. " Why don't you hold her down while I do my thing and then I'll hold her down for you." Folken feels his lips rise into a snarl and the man leaps to his feet, pulling out a large sword. Folken glances at Eries who remains motionless, her breathing quick, like a frightened doe. Folken turns his attention back to the man before him only to find he is no longer there. Folken glances around in surprise and is suddenly tackled from behind. He releases his sword and it falls with a soft plop on the ground. The man begins to plummet him with punches and tries to stuff his face into the dirt in hopes of suffocating him. But Folken knows how to fight and with one swift and powerful movement manages to grab his attacker and flip him over his head. Folken leaps to his feet and punches the man in the face. Eries rolls onto her belly and looks up to see two men fighting. She blinks a few times to clear her vision and realizes that Folken has come to help her. She cries silently as the two men wrestle on the ground.
Folken jerks back as the man pulls out his sword again and tries to stab him in the neck, but it falls short clanging against hard metal instead of flesh. The man blinks and gapes as Folken holds the tip of the blade in his metal hand. Folken takes this moment to kick the rebel in the gut and reaches for his own sword lying a little ways ahead. Eries watches as Folken meets her gaze for a split second, picking up his sword and turning just in time to block another deadly blow for his head. The battle grows more vicious. They stop for a moment in a dead lock, sword against sword, eyes promising a painful death and then, they attack in a flurry of experienced and deadly thrusts. The swords glint in the light beams that penetrate the thick forest canopy and Eries gasps as the man trips Folken, causing him to fall hard on his back. Folken winces and rolls out of the way just as the enemy's sword pierces the ground.
Folken leaps to his feet and whirls around to cut off the man's head, but misses. The rebel yanks out his sword and tries to impale Folken in the gut only to get knocked upside the head by a hard flying rock. He stumbles and Folken rushes him, sword straight and sure, stabbing the man through the heart. Eries covers her mouth as the sword tip bursts out the man's back a second before being yanked out again. The man collapses to his knees, blood gurgling out of his open mouth, his eyes glazing and rolling up as he falls flat on his face. Folken remains still for a few moments, trying to catch his breath. Eries slowly makes her way over to him as he wipes the blood off his sword against the tall, soft grass. He turns to her and takes in her bruised body and the tears that quietly fall down her cheeks. He resheaths his sword and pulls her trembling body into a tender embrace of comfort and support. The forest leaves sway softly in a gently breeze that finds them and caresses their face, and hands. Eries cries against Folken's broad chest and clings to him sobbing. Folken rests his chin upon the crown of her head and sighs, closing his eyes and thanking God that he arrived in time. Finally, Eries calms herself and pulls away, wiping her eyes and sniffling as quietly as she can.
Folken gently raises her chin to meet his gaze. " Are you alright? Did he…" Folken couldn't bring himself to state the obvious question, but Eries understands what he means and answers. " I'm alright. Thanks to you." She replies honestly and thankfully. " Thank you, Lord Folken. You saved my life." Folken smiles at her softly and wipes away her tears with his thumb. " You did have a part in your rescue you know." He says through his smile. " I guess he didn't have a very thick skull." Eries grins at Folken's attempt to make her smile. " I was afraid he would have hurt you so I threw the rock at his head." She explains. Folken nods. " Thank you princess." He replies sincerely. Eries nods, her gaze falling upon a nasty cut on his arm. Without another word she bends down and rips a part of her skirt apart, wrapping the soft material around the wound. Folken watches her quietly, deeply touched by her kindness even when it is she that needs to be treated and cared for. When she finishes Folken thanks her and gently leads her back to where he left his horse. Folken frowns in thought. That rebel was wearing the uniform of a Ziabach soldier…could Ziabach be rebuilding its forces? He shakes his head and decides to think about at a later time, when he isn't so tired.
The two ride in silence, keeping a wary eye out for anymore possible attacks. The wind picks up as they get closer to the edge of the forest and Eries's golden hair blows softly in the air like waves of golden threads. Folken keeps a close eye on her to make sure she's okay, occasionally asking her if she's still with him. Eries just wants to get out of these cursed woods and hug her sister and get to Egzardia. She closes her eyes and tries to think of being in a warm, soft bed safe from the enemy soldiers that lurk in the shadows. Everything will be okay. She tells herself, feeling Folken's body gently shelter her from the wind as they ride on.
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On the outside of the forest Zire, Meegan, Merle, and two Austurian soldiers wait anxiously to see if Van and the others managed to escape. " Don't worry Merle." Meegan says softly as the young cat-girl clutches her tail in deep anxiousness. " Van will be here soon." Zire steps up to them pulls out a canteen of water. " Are either of you wounded?" Meegan shakes her head. " No. We're just a little shaken up, that's all." Zire nods in understanding. " Thank God those two men over there came when they did." Zire states nodding to the two Austurian soldiers who are sitting on the ground a few feet away, stretching their tired muscles and trying to come to terms with the sudden and cruel deaths of their comrades. Suddenly, Merle shrieks with joy and everyone follows her gaze to see Van coming on horseback with Millerna.
" Lord Van! Lord Van!" Merle cries out with joy. Van brings his horse to a stop and slides off to help the princess down. Millerna glances around and asks for her sister but no one can tell her anything. Van asks for Folken but gets the same response. " What happened?" Zire asks with great concern. " Folken went after princess Eries when a rebel snatched her away." Van explains. " We decided that our best chance of survival was to split up. He had to give chase to the bastard so we'll have to give him a little more time to reach us I suppose." Zire nods and offers Millerna a seat in the coach to rest her tired muscles. She accepts gratefully and hugs Meegan and Merle, happy to know that they're safe and unharmed. Zire, Van, and the two remaining Austurian soldiers wait in tense anxiousness.
As the sun prepares to set, Van glances at the forest path and rises with a smile. Zire and the others follow his gaze to see Folken and Eries riding out to meet them. Everyone releases a sigh of relief and Folken brings the horse to a stop. He slides off, ignoring the pain of his muscles and the cut on his arm, to help princess Eries down from the horse's back. She thanks him softly and rushes to hug Millerna who comes running out of the coach to greet her sister. " Oh Folken! Thank you! Thank you so much!" Millerna cries as Eries hugs her tightly. Folken nods silently, too tired to speak. Van watches him closely and is quick to lend a helping hand when Folken stumbles. He glances at Van with surprise. " You okay?" Van asks, ignoring Folken's expression and helping his older brother sit down for a few moments. " You're bleeding." Van states, noticing the blood-soaked material wrapped around Folken's good arm. Folken looks at it and nods with a wince. " I'll be alright. I just need a good night's rest." He states calmly. " You have to get that looked at when we reach the castle." Van says, glancing up to look at the two happy sisters still embracing each other.
After everyone takes a few moments to comfort one another and thanked God that no one else was killed, they continue the remaining distance across valleys to reach the border of Egzardia where a royal escort is waiting to bring them to the castle.
Eries cries softly, deeply saddened for the loss of life and the senselessness of it all. Millerna, Meegan, and Merle do their best to comfort her as she relates to them her story. " How did you escape?" Millerna asks. " Folken saved me." Eries replies softly. He saved me. She tells herself with wonder. Merle looks out one of the windows to see Folken and Van riding alongside on horse back and beyond them the moons already peaking out from the veil of the evening sky. She releases a deep and tired sigh, hoping the rest of their travels are easier and safer than the one they all just managed survive.
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What will happen to the Fanel brothers next? Are they ready for the trials and experiences ahead?
More to come in Chapter Ten
