Hello, readers. Welcome to my first fanfic. The summary goes like this:

After being thought dead, Folken returns on the day Van is to be crowned king. Both their parents are still alive. I know power isn't usually passed until the death of the former king, but Van is being crowned because that's just the way things work in this particular universe. The changes in Folken seem obvious to Van, but everyone else accuses him of being jealous.

After much tension is created in the household, Van is offered the hand of the Hitomi, a childhood friend and princess of the kingdom Tyrdon. When Folken becomes king of Fanelia, he allies it with Zaibach and attacks Tyrdon. It is then up to Van to stop Zaibach from overthrowing all of Gaea by seeking the help of the cursed Draconians and (in the process) destroying his homeland. It starts off a year after the events were set in motion.

This is a AU (alternate universe) fic, which means that I can twist the Escaflowne world any way my imagination desires J

Sorry if anyone seems a little out of character now and then, but it's been a while since I've seen the series.

There will be V/H fluff and maybe a little lime somewhere, hence the M rating (just to be on the safe side.)

Please review! That's your opportunity to tell me how I can fix any major mistakes, make plot suggestions, or anything else.

Disclaimer: Me not own Escaflowne. Not sue.

Chapter 1: Past, Present, and Future

Van awoke with a start from his dream. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness of his bed chamber, and a wave of relief washed over him as he realized he his nightmare had been just that¾ a nightmare. He leaned upright on one elbow and used his other hand to wipe the sweat from his brow.

The soft sheets rustled as he turned on his side to gaze at the sleeping form of his wife, glad that he had not woken her from her peaceful slumber. His gaze turned from her momentarily as a cool breeze caressed his face. Van looked up to see that the balcony door had been blown open and the night wind tossed the light curtains playfully. Thin streams of moonlight stole through the folds of fabric and shone down on Hitomi's face.

Looking back at her, he could not help but brush aside a few strands of her soft brown hair that fell across her cheek. My love, my queen, he thought. Knowing that he would not be able to join her in sleep again that night, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and stepped onto the cold stone floor. Van began to make his way across the room toward the balcony when he heard a soft moan from behind him. His lips curled in an amused smirk when he looked back at Hitomi to see her toss on their bed and roll onto the spot he had just left, obviously annoyed at the loss of warmth her had caused her.

He moved through the soft barrier of curtains into the humid air and was greeted with the stench of embers and old smoke. Van sat down on the edge of the cracked balcony, careful to search for any new breaks in the stone or sign that it was about to give way. Gazing over what was left of the capital city of his beloved kingdom, the crumbling buildings and ruined streets lighted only by scattered bonfires, he thought back to his dream.

It was the same nightmare that had plagued him for the past few nights: He walked the very streets that he looked upon at this moment, the sun shone brightly and the air was sweet, not yet poisoned with the black arid smoke that choked it now. Suddenly, an invisible enemy attacked, and as quickly as he could blink all that remained of his surroundings was ashes. He dropped to his knees as he felt the coolness of a blade slice once, twice, three times at his back. A sharp blow to the back of the head forced him forward and into the black dirt. As he turned over and looked at the blood-red sky, his brother's face loomed over him.

Folken's voice rang clear amidst the sound of crackling fires and inhuman screams, "Fanelia thanks you." Before Van could open his mouth to speak, he saw the gleam of a sword come down as his brother plunged in into his chest and¾

Van's head snapped up and he was out of his trance. Feeling a sudden twinge of pain in his hand, he realized that he had his fingernails had dug into his palm. When he relaxed his fist, he saw the tiny white half moons he had created turn pink with blood. He heard the source of what had interrupted his flashback of his dream call out to him again.

"Van? Come back to bed," Hitomi's soft voiced floated from the bedroom. A small chuckle escaped Van's throat as he made his way back to her. She wasn't worried that I had left the room at all. She knows me too well, he thought while he pushed the curtains aside once again. He caught his breath when he saw Hitomi sitting up in the bed they shared, waiting for him to return to her side. He must have been staring for too long because she pouted her lips a little and raised her arms out to him, becoming him to continue toward her.

Van needed no more convincing. He crawled beneath the sheets and wasted no time encircling her slender frame in his muscular arms. Her cheek rested against his chest as she began to speak.

"Van, what were you doing out there again?"

He knew better than to answer this question truthfully. As much as it pained him to lie to her, he was sure that Hitomi would worry herself sick if he told her about the reoccurring dream. About the dream in which he had been reliving the destruction of their home for almost two weeks. About the dream that foretold his death at the hands of his own brother.

"I couldn't sleep. I took a small regiment into the city to give aid to the remaining citizens. The smoke just must have gotten to me," he said, praying that she would be satisfied.

"Yeah, it must have," she said obviously not believing him. "Must have," she repeated, "seven hours ago…"

Van kissed her forehead and stoked his fingers lightly up and down her arm, knowing that she would be asleep in no time, wishing that he could be with her away from here, away from the carnage that had destroyed their home and the home of so many others. People he had sworn to protect and honor as he had sword to protect and honor Hitomi when he married her. When he had married this country. Tyrdon. Before he had known that he would be betrayed by his most hated enemy and greatest ally¾ Fanelia.

One year before

The sharp click of boots on stone floors echoed clearly through the halls of the Fanelian castle. Their resounding beat met no ears, though, for all living within the city were at the coronation of the crowned prince. The ceremony was well underway as the weary stranger made his way through the maze of corridors, seeking the main balcony where the ritual was preformed before the entire city. He cared not about his disheveled appearance: his tattered cloak, the stubble on his chin, and worn tunic, which was stained with a combination of dirt, sweat, and blood.

He came upon the entrance to the veranda, he was greeted by several guards.

"Holt. None may pass here. Turn back or be arrested," said one particularly official looking soldier.

"I don't have time for this!" the stranger rang out with a frustrated cry, more to himself than those who stood between him and his destiny. He unsheathed his sword and took down the guard with one felt swoop. Two more replaced the man he had just defeated, though they were obviously less eager to spar with him. Or just less stupid, the stranger thought.

He disposed of them just as quickly, though he left them unconscious rather than dead. He could manage one murder, but having three men's blood on his hands so soon could very well overshadow the full effect of his return.

As he burst through the heavy curtain, he was hit with the deafening roar of the crowd. The bright light of the noon day sun pounded down on him with unexpected strength. He began to see light red and green spots obstruct his vision as he struggled to see the shocked faces of those he had found. He stared forward and looked into the eyes of his brother, clad in the ceremonial garb which would have looked noble and serious if not for the look of absolute disbelief on his face.

The stranger began to feel dizzy and lightheaded, his balance diluted. He turned his head and looked upon the woman he guessed was his mother, her beauty hidden beneath a visage of worry and astonishment. She rushed to embrace him as he stumbled slightly and felt a sickness rise in the pit of his stomach. What is happening to me? he thought.

"My son! You're alive! You've returned to me, my son! Oh, Folken, how I've missed you so," she cried, showing emotion that any practiced member of court would have frowned upon.

She never cared what they thought of her. Of us, the stranger thought absently. He pulled back from her, his head swimming. Her tear-stained cheeks were the last thing he saw before he hit the floor and lost consciousness.

So…whatcha think? Too much description? Not enough action? wink hehe The more you review and let me know what you want to read, the better for you! If you don't like to review, please take some time to use my number system. It takes two seconds and you only have to hit the keyboard once.

1 - boring, I'm not going to read it anymore

2 - kind of interesting, but still boring

3 - king of interesting, I'll keep reading

4 - interesting, I'll keep reading

5 - interesting, I'd really like you to continue

6 - very interesting, I'd love for you to continue! J