Disclaimer: Escaflowne doesn't belong to me, unfortunately.

Chapter 8

Fanalia

"Hitomi!"

Hitomi turned around to see Merle running up to her. "Where are you going?"

"I was just going to go for a walk through Fanalia that's all." Hitomi replied.

"What! In those cloths!?"

"What's wrong with them?" Hitomi asked looking herself over. She had on a pair of somewhat loose black pants, black tank top(that she brought, duh!), a loose, open brown shirt on over it, and last, some black boots. She didn't see anything wrong with what she had on.

"The nobles would jump on you in a minute if they saw you wearing that!"

Hitomi rolled her eyes and continued out of the castle.

"If your going out then I might as well go with you. Wouldn't want Lord Van getting angry at me because you might get lost." Merle said running up beside her.

"Whatever."

As they walked through the city Hitomi drew many stares. She and Merle looked in some of the shops when Merle saw Que walking up to them.

"Hello Merle!"

"Que! How are you?"

"I'm fine. I see you're taking the king's friend out for a tour of our lovely city."

"Yes, I was getting bored with in the castle and decided to look around." Hitomi said.

"Bored!? In the castle?! I don't believe it."

"Why not!? I've been telling you that for years!" Merle said poking Que in the arm.

"And I still don't believe you. But it must be true because someone as lovely and charming and Lady Hitomi here wouldn't lie." Que said gazing at Hitomi. She looked away and Merle scowled at him.

"Come on Hitomi. Lunch should be getting ready to be served soon." Merle pulled Hitomi towards the castle and as soon as Que was gone she growled, " I can't believe him! Que has some nerve talking to you like that!"

"He was just being polite Merle that's all. I don't really think that he meant anything by it." Hitomi said trying to get her to re-sheathe her claws. " Let's go, Van is waiting."

Chapter 9

Outside Fanalia's Gates

"Are we there yet?" asked a very annoyed and bored Celena.

"Yes Celena we're there alright!" Allen snapped.

"Finally!" Celena jumped out of the carriage and stretched her legs. It had taken them a few days to get there and she was getting restless.

"Stop! Who are you and what is your business in Fanalia?" called down one of the guards.

Allen called up to him saying, "My name is Allen and I am here to see the king."

"What is your business with his Majesty?"

"It is of personal affair and very urgent. I must see him at once."

After a bit of mumbling and gasping from the tower they said, "You may enter."

The gate opened and Allen returned to the carriage with Celena.

Inside the Castle

Van was sparring with one of his swordsmen when a messenger burst through the door.

"Your Majesty!"

"We'll finish this later." Van said.

"Yes my Lord." the young man bowed and left.

"Your Majesty, Allen of Astoria has arrived to see you."

"What! He didn't even send a message ahead to tell of his coming!" Van exclaimed. Then it hit him. *He must have seen the light...he's come to see if Hitomi is here.* "Send him in."

"Yes my king." The messenger left and in came Allen. At first the two men just stared at each other.

*He knows why I'm here..* Allen thought. "Van,...is she...?"

He nodded, "Yeah, she came back."

"Where is she?"

"Out with Merle. They should be back soon for lunch." Van said moving past Allen.

*Celena was right, I should have informed him of my coming.* Allen thought. He also noticed that Van had grown with in the last three years. He was much taller and built too. He had grown out of his strange boy stages and was becoming quite a good king. Allen walked out after Van to the dining hall for lunch.

A/N: Hi everyone! Well I've only put up a few of the chapters that I've written. I actually have written around 20 now. I've also started a Gundam Wing story too. Don't forget to review to tell me if you want the rest of the story!