DisClaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of the people in it. please
don't sue.:0)
My first fic, please let me know what you think.
-------------------

Chapter 6: Let the Games begin

-------------------

-Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotton lore.
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping.
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
" 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door.
Only this and nothing more."-
-Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven-

-------------------
The next morning I woke up to find myself alone, my hands still
tied to the bed and my feet tied together. The room i was in, was
simple and small. The unmistakable aura of a military room. One bed,
the one i was on. One Desk, plain, brown with one drawer. My bag
on top of that desk, and 2 chairs. Nothing else. I had to be on the
Floating Fortress. I don't actually know what that means, but this is
the only place i could be. I heard Dilandau say he was taking me to
Folken. A while back i heard Folken was on the Floating Fortress. The
only problem was.... how do i get off this blasted thing,and out of
this room. I still have questions though. What can they possibly want
from me? For the time being i am stuck here. Until i can come up with
a new plan of escape or attack.
"She is awake Folken" Dilandau said. " Good then lets get going "
Folken said as he walked away. Dilandau just stood there watching him
walk away. " Well are you coming "? Folken turned around and asked him.
Dilandau ran up to him and they walked in silence to her room.
------------------
Dilandau & Folken enter atrea's room She turns to look at them.
Folken sits in the chair next to the window and Dilandau takes the one
in the far corner. " So your awake, i trust you slept well "? Folken
said. " What would it matter if i did or didn't " i replied staring
at the ceiling. " It doesn't, i was trying to be pleasant thats all "
Folken stated. " It might be easier to have a conversation, if we can
get along " Folken went on to say. " yes i guess it would " I said. My
eyes were now trying to burn holes in the ceiling. " Tell me your
name " Folken asked me. " My birth name or my Gaea name "? I asked him
still watching the ceiling. " Both " he replied. " I was born Atrea
Dece Midori, my name on Gaea is Atrea Eva SanMartine. I said. " How did
you come to Gaea "? Folken asked. " Why do you ask questions you
already know the answers to, Folken " I said in a monotone voice.
"Indeed, i do. Please humor me and tell me anyway ". Folken said
satisfied ". " There would be no point, why don't you cut the bullshit
and tell me what you really want to know ". I stated and looked into
his eyes. " I am trying to be reasonable and nice to you ". He stated
very annoyed. " Am i a prisoner or a guest? If i were a guest you
would treat me reasonably and nice. I also would not be tied to this
bed ". I said looking into Folken's eyes. " why don't you try to
answer my questions ". He pleadingly asked. " I have, you just don't
like my answers " I retorted. " Touche " he said leaving the room. He
left me alone with Dilandau, who had not said a word.
" Why don't you go with him " i said in a depressed tone looking
into his eyes. " i am here to gaurd you ". He replied emotionless.
" Suit yourself, you will be bored because i have nothing to say to
you...... Ever ". I snapped and turned away from him. I fell asleep
again and when i woke up there was 2 handmaidens and Dilandau. The
women were taking off my ropes. Dilandau was standing by the door,which
was now open, waiting with his hand ready to grab his sword. I asked
him what they were doing. He said they were taking me to bathe and
clean up. He threw my bag over to me. And he followed us to the
bathing room. He waited outside. It felt wonderful to wash my hair
and get clean. I applied my make-up and put on my favorite black dress.
I put on my long black gloves and my thigh high boots. The black dress
happened to be sleeveless with a long slit up the right side. I styled
my hair up on my head. I was trying to make a statement. I looked like
i was ready to go to a ball, even though this was my chosen outfit
for the competition. I checked my bag in hopes i would have some weapon
there. My hopes were unfounded, they took all my spare toys away. I
smiled to myself, they were proving to be quite amusing. I knew i
was stuck here for the time being. There was nothing i could do, i knew
that as well. I would be damned if they knew that though. I was smart
enough to know, playing these games was dangerous. I told myself not
to let my heart get involved in these intriges. I was already having
a hard enough time as it was. It was either him or me. I was going to
make sure it was me and deal with the feelings crap later.
-------------------
Dilandau
-------------------
Why couldn't she be more co-operative. She is so damn evasive. She
knew it too. I ignored her comments after Folken left. I sat there
watching her fall asleep for 2 hours. Then i told the handmaidens to
take her to bathe. I could not be cruel. I know how important it is
for a woman to feel clean, put on fresh clothes and make-up. Maybe she
will be more co-operative after she is done in there.
Atrea comes out " Well here, my hands so you can tie me up
again " I said flirting a little. Dilandau's face turns red. " That
won't be necassary " he said blushing again. " Fine whatever " i smiled
and let him lead me back to the room. Dilandau ties her up gain " I
bet you enjoy your job don't you " I said playfully. " I like it fine"
he stated and turned to leave. " Was it something i said? " I called to
him. he turned around and yelled at me " Do you think i enjoy this?
These things that you do? Baiting me like this? I think i liked you
better when you ran from me ". I yelled at him too, i said " Really,
you think i like being tied up. You think i like being here so YOU
PEOPLE can ask me questions. Maybe if i had been given a choice i
might have surprised you. Untie me and we can fight hand to hand. DO
IT NOW. Are you listen...." He kissed me on my lips. " ing." Then he
left.
That left me wondering what the hell was wrong with me or what the
hell was wrong with him for that matter. One minute he is a jackass
and the next romantic. " Asshole " i said under my breath. There was
no one there to hear it, but i felt better saying it anyway. I guess
that was one way to shut me up. I liked it too. What's wrong with me?
First chance i get i am escaping, no looking back.
Dilandau muttered " why did i do that? oh ya, to shut her up ".
Why does she have to be sweet one minute and rude the next. She bugs
me. I can't believe i let her get to me. Starting tomorrow that's it!
I will forget about her and let it be Folken's problem. So why do i
miss her? only after a few minutes. Slaps his face not hard enough
to hurt. Yep i got it bad.
-------------------
-And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So
that now, to still the beating of my heart, i stood repeating. " 'Tis
some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door. Some late visitor
entreating entrance at my chamber door; This it is and nothing more "
- Edgar Allan Poe-

-------------------
Later That Night
-------------------

Folken knocks on Atrea's door " What " i call out. Folken enters
and sits down next to the window again. He says " Listen, i will be
honest with you if you are honest with me, will this be acceptable "?
I looked at him " Agreed " i said. " The reason why your here is for
your safety, and i want to find out why you came back with Dollet. It
does not make sense to me. I can understand why he came back, but the
light took you too. The pillar of light works on wishes. Did you wish
for something right before the light came down on you "? He asked
almost frantically. " The moment before the light came down, i was
thinking to myself that i was tired of my life, i didn't want it to
end but i was sick of those people and everyone else not understanding
me, i just wanted to be left alone. And then the light came down. " i
said calmy looking at him. " i get it now " He said joyfully. " The
light came back down to take Dollet home, when you were thinking about
not wanting to be there anymore the light brought you as well. You see
only someone from this planet can activate the light with their
thoughts, since you were there as well it acted on yours as well ".
He said that like a scientist. " So why am i in danger " i asked.
" Because there are people who would try to use you as an experiment
or harm you. Your fighting skills are excellent, but you don't stand
a chance against a whole army". Folken said. " True, but why are you
helping me? You don't know me at all " I replied. " I am trying to
make up for the past wrongs i have done ". He said sadly. " Atonement "
I said sad for him. " if i untie you will you run "? He asks me. " No "
I replied. So he untied me. " Would you like to become part of our
Dragon Slayers, it seems there may not be much else for you to do right
now" He asked hopeful. " Can i think about it " i asked. " Yes " he
said and left.
-------------------

-Deep into that darkness peering, long i stood there wondering,
fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream
before; But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token.-
-Edgar Allan Poe-

-------------------
I sat in my dark room wondering what i should do. Folken made some
valid points. I do not have any where to go at the moment. I did not
want to go back to earth. I can fight, but would i be fighting on the
right side. Can i take his word at face value? He did untie me that was
a good gesture. if i stayed here my feelings for Dilandau would have
to change. I would have to supress any and all feelings i have. And
this is a chance of a life time. How many people from earth can do
this. I could get killed. But the risk is worth it as long as i don't
go back to the life i had before. Knocking at the door . I open
it to find Dollet standing there smiling. he just returned all my
weapons, including my sword. it felt nice to have it at my side once
more. Another good gesture by Folken. " Dollet, tell Folken i accept
his offer " i said happily. He left and i went back to pondering things
that i could not change.
-------------------

-Then into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon i heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before." Surely ",
said i, " surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see,
then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore. Let my heart be still
a moment and this mystery explore; 'Tis the wind and nothing more!"

-------------------
knocking at the door i go to open it. "What is it Dilandau"
i asked. " If your to be a Dragon Slayer, you will address me as
Lord Dilandau. We are training now, join us in the training center".
He said in a monotone voice and left. " Asshole " i muttered under
my breath.
I go to the training center and LORD Dilandau introduces me to
everyone. Then his sits on this throne thing. What an arrogant,vain,
and egotistical bastard. I thought. He smiles at me and motions his
hand toward the center of the area, and he says " if you please, Atrea
show us your skills ". He was smirking the whole time. He will pay for
that. My fighting partner was Miguel, he was supposed to be the best
out of them all. I quickly fixed that. I smiled back at Dilandau and
said " Lord Dilandau it would be my honor to show you my skills ".
I bowed and muttered bastard. " Ok then, begin " Dilandau stated. He
charged at me and i did a front flip over him and brought my sword
around. He blocked it. I dropped to the floor and leg sweeped him
causing him to fall over. He recovered quickly and got up. swords
crashing together. Mine flew out of my hand. I was not out yet. He
did a stupid thing. He put his sword back at his side and thought he
would fight me hand to hand. Stupid mistake. I ran towards him , did
a cartwheel and grabbed his sword. Flew around and pushed his back,
causing him to fall to the floor. Then i put his sword to his neck,
declaring me the winner. Clap Clap Clap applause " Very nice Atrea,
but i doubt you could beat me " Dilandau said as he stood up. " If
you think you can handle losing, i would love to fight you ". I
retorted. All the others were whispering. He handed me my sword, and
said smiling " it's on ". And so it began.
We were fighting for 20 minutes, Either of us taking our eyes off
one another. No one had the upper hand. I tried every trick in the book
but he countered me. He tried as well to no avail, i thought it would
go on for hours until... the loud speaker came on." Dilandau, if your
finished i would like to speak with you, NOW ". The voice said. I was
pretty sure it was Folken. We both put down our swords. Dilandau
looked at me and said playfully " Well i guess playtime is over ".
I smiled and walked up to him and whispered, 2 inches from his face,
" For now " and i brushed my lips on his lips, and started to walk
away. He grabbed my arm pulled me back and kissed me like he meant it.
And then he walked away blushing. I was dumbfounded and stunned. I
stood there for what seems like an eternity. Touching my lips with my
fingers.