Chapter 8: Conversations and Herring
Van was working hard to control his temper, as he argued with Senior Advisor Hykio exactly why Hitomi was not a danger to his and the kingdom's safety. His patience was being sorely tried, especially after a night of no sleep. He had spent the majority of the day, time he could have spent with Hitomi, arguing with them. First, they had debated who the most likely suspects were behind the attempt, the primary suspect being Givana, a country to the north. Then the advisors had started in on the sudden appearance of Hitomi after her prolonged absence. Behind their questions and arguments Van could sense their fear that her presence indicated that another war was brewing.
Through gritted teeth Van said again, "She did not cause these things to happen. She just knows when they will occur and how to prevent the worst possible outcome."
A chuckle came form the doorway and Van turned his head to see Allen leaning on the frame. "That's one way to put it." The knight said grinning. "How is she? We heard accounts that she had returned and saved the king from anywhere from an assassin to a whole army. Mind telling us what really happened?"
Van frowned at Allen's cavalier attitude, but motioned him into the room. Celena followed in her brother's shadow, her eyes bright with excitement after the quick ride back to the castle. She smiled at Van and the advisors in the room and took a seat at the table at her brother's side. Van took their arrival as a chance to end the discussions and dismissed the advisors, who did their best not to look disgruntled as they bowed and left. The room was silent for a few moments, and finally Celena spoke. "Well, what happened? Since you are here arguing with those blowholes then I will assume that she is ok?" Van grinned at her apt description of his advisors and nodded. He looked up at Allen to see the look of relief that was on his face. "I was worried," Allen admitted.
Van took a deep breath and started to fill them in on what had happened since they left. Midway through his story a knock came at the door and Merle slipped in. She smiled a greeting at Allen and Celena and stopped in front of Van, her smile changing to a glare.
"Where have you been all day?" she demanded. "I mean, geez. She comes all the way from another planet and you can't spend two minutes in the same room with her?"
Van reddened and began to protest. Allen and Celena started laughing while Merle grinned at the response she had got out of Van.
"Merle, leave him alone. I'm sure he had lots of stuff to do," an amused voice came from the door. Van's head whipped around to the figure in the door. Hitomi stood there in a simple blue dress, her injured arm in a sling of the same color. The candlelight lit her green eyes and they sparkled as she turned toward Van. He turned even redder as she smiled at him. Allen walked forward and gave an elaborate bow.
"It is wonderful to see you again, my Lady." he said. He straightened as she laughed and came forward to give him a one armed hug.
"It's great to be back." Hitomi said, looking in Van's eyes as she spoke. She turned and smiled at Celena. "I don't think we have met. I am Hitomi, and I am guessing you are the Lady Celena. I hope you don't mind, but I have taken the liberty of borrowing one of the gowns you gave to the maids. The one that was picked out for me was, um, slightly, well, let's just say Merle picked it out."
Celena grinned while Merle sputtered next to her. "No problem at all. I have several extras that you may borrow at any time. Did you really come from the Mystic Moon?" She asked in awe. "I mean, I heard the stories, but..."
"Stories?" Hitomi interrupted a puzzled expression on her face.
"Well," said Merle, "You can't expect that the whole world to forget your part in the Great War just because you left. You are kinda a folk legend now."
Hitomi blushed while the others chuckled. She had not realized that her actions would be remembered so well. The embarrassment changed to annoyance when Merle added, "Of course, if the people knew the truth, they would have held celebrations that you had left."
"Don't even start with me," Hitomi warned. "Not after what you did this afternoon."
The others looked expectantly at Merle for an explanation. She shifted uncomfortably and backed towards the door. "Well, I showed Hitomi how to get to the room and I'm sure they are needing me elsewhere and bye!" she said quickly as she darted out the door.
Celena looked at Hitomi with curious eyes. "What did she do?" she asked.
Hitomi grimaced and answered. "Merle tried to bribe Eri, who was helping me dress, into forcing me to wear the dress Merle had picked out. And then, after that failed, she helped herself and some of the neighborhood kids to some of the stuff from my bag. Nothing important." she added quickly.
Celena giggled while Van and Allen shook their heads. Van stood and pulled a chair from the table over to where they were sitting for Hitomi. She gratefully sank into the chair. She had not wanted to show how tired she still was after sleeping the day away, but in truth her knees had started to shake. The blood loss had weakened her more than she would like to admit, she thought.
Silence reigned over the room for a few minutes while everyone relaxed.
"Van," said Allen, "Why don't we get some dinner, and then you can finish telling us what happened." Van nodded and went to the door to send a servant for food. He came back a few minutes later with Merle and two servants bearing trays of food and drinks. While the table was being set, Van finished bringing Allen and Celena up to date. Hitomi listened avidly, asking questions about the country they suspected. When Van had filled them in, Hitomi asked, puzzled, "If all this country has been doing up to the point is cause disturbances along Asturia's border, why would they suddenly choose to assassinate the king of Fanelia?" The group looked at her in silence, no one able to come up with an answer.
Hitomi sighed and said, "I think we have a red herring. "
"A WHAT?" Merle said, startled.
Hitomi chuckled. "A red herring. You don't have an expression like that?" The group shook their heads. "Well, I don't know how the saying originated but it is something that is a distraction, that is not the real issue but seems like it is. Do you understand?"
Allen and Van nodded, while Celena worked the meaning out in her mind. Finally she nodded while Merle looked puzzled. "Why would this be a 'red herring'?"
Hitomi explained, "Whoever sent this person knew that Givana was causing trouble. By dressing the archer up in their colors, they made it seem like Givana was to blame, while someone else is behind it."
The logic silenced the group. A cough came from the table, where the servants had finished setting out the food and were waiting for them to be seated. The cough broke the tense atmosphere and the friends grinned as a rumble from Merle's stomach was heard. They laughed and moved to the table to eat.
While they ate, the topic turned to more mundane topics. The friends tried to catch up on five years of lost time. Merle glowingly described her work with the orphanages and schools in the city, while Allen and Celena told Hitomi as much as they could think of about their travels throughout Gaea and the news concerning Chid, Millerna and Dryden. Van, after much prompting, described the reconstruction of Fanelia and some of his plans for the future of the country. Hitomi described her studies to them and tried to explain the concepts that she worked on. Celena was fascinated with her work and had many questions until Allen, laughing, finally called a halt to her inquisition of Hitomi.
Van kept his eyes fixed on Hitomi throughout the meal, scarcely able to believe that she was really present. The food passed his lips but he didn't taste a bite of it. Every time Hitomi met his eyes he felt his heart would burst. In his mind he was trying to plan the words to tell her how he felt. His concentration was broken when Allen mentioned Lord Giata. Annoyed, he began to explain the troubles they had been having in negotiations the past few days while the servants cleared the table.
Hitomi relaxed in the chair, soaking in the atmosphere. She let the conversation wash over her, the voices of her friends wrapping around her like a comfortable blanket. She felt content and, she thought to herself, happy. Happy in a way that she had not been for five years. She mulled over these thoughts as she watched Allen and Van discuss the trading agreements while Merle and Celena argued over plans for a new school. She watched Van actually become animated in his discussion with Allen and marveled at the change in him. She knew that the change was the result of five years of ruling and making treaties and being forced to argue with people. But at the same time she knew that even though his exterior had changed, the shell keeping his emotions shielded was still intact. If only she could crack that shield around his heart. She smiled and settled a little more comfortably in the chair. Her eyes began to close as drowsiness set in as a result of the warmth of the room, the fullness of her stomach and her contentment. A smile remained on her lips as the voices of her friends lulled her to sleep.
While Van and Allen were discussing the annoying subject of trading agreements, Celena turned to ask Hitomi a question and smiled as she saw her dozing in the chair. She nudged her brother and nodded toward Hitomi. Allen smiled at the sight. Van quietly stood and made his way around the table. He lifted her in his arms, Hitomi making small sounds of protest as he did so. He waited until she settled again and then whispered a good night to the others. Walking carefully, he carried Hitomi through the quiet hallway. Allen, Merle and Celena smiled to each other knowingly before heading off to their rooms.
Van grimaced as he realized that he had not thought to order another room prepared for Hitomi. He headed towards his room, not wanting to wake her now finding another place. Reaching his room, Van made his way to the bed. He managed to pull the covers down and place her on the bed without waking her but, as he turned to leave, her eyes opened slightly.
"Don't go," she said sleepily, keeping a grip on his shirt. Van stared at her in surprise, his heart pounding, then nodded jerkily. She smiled drowsily as he settled on the bed next to her, carefully minding that he didn't jar her shoulder. Hitomi snuggled closer and lay her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Her pendent was a lump on his chest just beyond her nose. He carefully encircled her in his arms, resisting the urge to crush her to his chest and never let go.
"Van," she said quietly, waking up slightly. She lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Van, do you want me here? I...I missed you a lot, but I don't want to be in the way. I don't want to cause any problems."
Van looked at her with a shocked expression. "Gods," he breathed, "Hitomi, you would never be in the way. I want you to stay." Forever, he added silently.
Hitomi held his gaze, searching his face. That was what she had been waiting to hear, but she wanted to make sure he meant it. She didn't want to cause him pain; his life had been too full of pain already. He looked back at her and gently brushed her hair from her face.
"Believe me" he said, cupping her cheek with his hand. She nodded and closed her eyes, savoring his touch. She lowered her head back to his chest and closed her eyes allowing sleep to overtake her again, secure in his arms. Van stayed awake a while longer, listening to Hitomi's steady breaths as she slept and marveling that she wanted to be with him.
Van was working hard to control his temper, as he argued with Senior Advisor Hykio exactly why Hitomi was not a danger to his and the kingdom's safety. His patience was being sorely tried, especially after a night of no sleep. He had spent the majority of the day, time he could have spent with Hitomi, arguing with them. First, they had debated who the most likely suspects were behind the attempt, the primary suspect being Givana, a country to the north. Then the advisors had started in on the sudden appearance of Hitomi after her prolonged absence. Behind their questions and arguments Van could sense their fear that her presence indicated that another war was brewing.
Through gritted teeth Van said again, "She did not cause these things to happen. She just knows when they will occur and how to prevent the worst possible outcome."
A chuckle came form the doorway and Van turned his head to see Allen leaning on the frame. "That's one way to put it." The knight said grinning. "How is she? We heard accounts that she had returned and saved the king from anywhere from an assassin to a whole army. Mind telling us what really happened?"
Van frowned at Allen's cavalier attitude, but motioned him into the room. Celena followed in her brother's shadow, her eyes bright with excitement after the quick ride back to the castle. She smiled at Van and the advisors in the room and took a seat at the table at her brother's side. Van took their arrival as a chance to end the discussions and dismissed the advisors, who did their best not to look disgruntled as they bowed and left. The room was silent for a few moments, and finally Celena spoke. "Well, what happened? Since you are here arguing with those blowholes then I will assume that she is ok?" Van grinned at her apt description of his advisors and nodded. He looked up at Allen to see the look of relief that was on his face. "I was worried," Allen admitted.
Van took a deep breath and started to fill them in on what had happened since they left. Midway through his story a knock came at the door and Merle slipped in. She smiled a greeting at Allen and Celena and stopped in front of Van, her smile changing to a glare.
"Where have you been all day?" she demanded. "I mean, geez. She comes all the way from another planet and you can't spend two minutes in the same room with her?"
Van reddened and began to protest. Allen and Celena started laughing while Merle grinned at the response she had got out of Van.
"Merle, leave him alone. I'm sure he had lots of stuff to do," an amused voice came from the door. Van's head whipped around to the figure in the door. Hitomi stood there in a simple blue dress, her injured arm in a sling of the same color. The candlelight lit her green eyes and they sparkled as she turned toward Van. He turned even redder as she smiled at him. Allen walked forward and gave an elaborate bow.
"It is wonderful to see you again, my Lady." he said. He straightened as she laughed and came forward to give him a one armed hug.
"It's great to be back." Hitomi said, looking in Van's eyes as she spoke. She turned and smiled at Celena. "I don't think we have met. I am Hitomi, and I am guessing you are the Lady Celena. I hope you don't mind, but I have taken the liberty of borrowing one of the gowns you gave to the maids. The one that was picked out for me was, um, slightly, well, let's just say Merle picked it out."
Celena grinned while Merle sputtered next to her. "No problem at all. I have several extras that you may borrow at any time. Did you really come from the Mystic Moon?" She asked in awe. "I mean, I heard the stories, but..."
"Stories?" Hitomi interrupted a puzzled expression on her face.
"Well," said Merle, "You can't expect that the whole world to forget your part in the Great War just because you left. You are kinda a folk legend now."
Hitomi blushed while the others chuckled. She had not realized that her actions would be remembered so well. The embarrassment changed to annoyance when Merle added, "Of course, if the people knew the truth, they would have held celebrations that you had left."
"Don't even start with me," Hitomi warned. "Not after what you did this afternoon."
The others looked expectantly at Merle for an explanation. She shifted uncomfortably and backed towards the door. "Well, I showed Hitomi how to get to the room and I'm sure they are needing me elsewhere and bye!" she said quickly as she darted out the door.
Celena looked at Hitomi with curious eyes. "What did she do?" she asked.
Hitomi grimaced and answered. "Merle tried to bribe Eri, who was helping me dress, into forcing me to wear the dress Merle had picked out. And then, after that failed, she helped herself and some of the neighborhood kids to some of the stuff from my bag. Nothing important." she added quickly.
Celena giggled while Van and Allen shook their heads. Van stood and pulled a chair from the table over to where they were sitting for Hitomi. She gratefully sank into the chair. She had not wanted to show how tired she still was after sleeping the day away, but in truth her knees had started to shake. The blood loss had weakened her more than she would like to admit, she thought.
Silence reigned over the room for a few minutes while everyone relaxed.
"Van," said Allen, "Why don't we get some dinner, and then you can finish telling us what happened." Van nodded and went to the door to send a servant for food. He came back a few minutes later with Merle and two servants bearing trays of food and drinks. While the table was being set, Van finished bringing Allen and Celena up to date. Hitomi listened avidly, asking questions about the country they suspected. When Van had filled them in, Hitomi asked, puzzled, "If all this country has been doing up to the point is cause disturbances along Asturia's border, why would they suddenly choose to assassinate the king of Fanelia?" The group looked at her in silence, no one able to come up with an answer.
Hitomi sighed and said, "I think we have a red herring. "
"A WHAT?" Merle said, startled.
Hitomi chuckled. "A red herring. You don't have an expression like that?" The group shook their heads. "Well, I don't know how the saying originated but it is something that is a distraction, that is not the real issue but seems like it is. Do you understand?"
Allen and Van nodded, while Celena worked the meaning out in her mind. Finally she nodded while Merle looked puzzled. "Why would this be a 'red herring'?"
Hitomi explained, "Whoever sent this person knew that Givana was causing trouble. By dressing the archer up in their colors, they made it seem like Givana was to blame, while someone else is behind it."
The logic silenced the group. A cough came from the table, where the servants had finished setting out the food and were waiting for them to be seated. The cough broke the tense atmosphere and the friends grinned as a rumble from Merle's stomach was heard. They laughed and moved to the table to eat.
While they ate, the topic turned to more mundane topics. The friends tried to catch up on five years of lost time. Merle glowingly described her work with the orphanages and schools in the city, while Allen and Celena told Hitomi as much as they could think of about their travels throughout Gaea and the news concerning Chid, Millerna and Dryden. Van, after much prompting, described the reconstruction of Fanelia and some of his plans for the future of the country. Hitomi described her studies to them and tried to explain the concepts that she worked on. Celena was fascinated with her work and had many questions until Allen, laughing, finally called a halt to her inquisition of Hitomi.
Van kept his eyes fixed on Hitomi throughout the meal, scarcely able to believe that she was really present. The food passed his lips but he didn't taste a bite of it. Every time Hitomi met his eyes he felt his heart would burst. In his mind he was trying to plan the words to tell her how he felt. His concentration was broken when Allen mentioned Lord Giata. Annoyed, he began to explain the troubles they had been having in negotiations the past few days while the servants cleared the table.
Hitomi relaxed in the chair, soaking in the atmosphere. She let the conversation wash over her, the voices of her friends wrapping around her like a comfortable blanket. She felt content and, she thought to herself, happy. Happy in a way that she had not been for five years. She mulled over these thoughts as she watched Allen and Van discuss the trading agreements while Merle and Celena argued over plans for a new school. She watched Van actually become animated in his discussion with Allen and marveled at the change in him. She knew that the change was the result of five years of ruling and making treaties and being forced to argue with people. But at the same time she knew that even though his exterior had changed, the shell keeping his emotions shielded was still intact. If only she could crack that shield around his heart. She smiled and settled a little more comfortably in the chair. Her eyes began to close as drowsiness set in as a result of the warmth of the room, the fullness of her stomach and her contentment. A smile remained on her lips as the voices of her friends lulled her to sleep.
While Van and Allen were discussing the annoying subject of trading agreements, Celena turned to ask Hitomi a question and smiled as she saw her dozing in the chair. She nudged her brother and nodded toward Hitomi. Allen smiled at the sight. Van quietly stood and made his way around the table. He lifted her in his arms, Hitomi making small sounds of protest as he did so. He waited until she settled again and then whispered a good night to the others. Walking carefully, he carried Hitomi through the quiet hallway. Allen, Merle and Celena smiled to each other knowingly before heading off to their rooms.
Van grimaced as he realized that he had not thought to order another room prepared for Hitomi. He headed towards his room, not wanting to wake her now finding another place. Reaching his room, Van made his way to the bed. He managed to pull the covers down and place her on the bed without waking her but, as he turned to leave, her eyes opened slightly.
"Don't go," she said sleepily, keeping a grip on his shirt. Van stared at her in surprise, his heart pounding, then nodded jerkily. She smiled drowsily as he settled on the bed next to her, carefully minding that he didn't jar her shoulder. Hitomi snuggled closer and lay her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Her pendent was a lump on his chest just beyond her nose. He carefully encircled her in his arms, resisting the urge to crush her to his chest and never let go.
"Van," she said quietly, waking up slightly. She lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Van, do you want me here? I...I missed you a lot, but I don't want to be in the way. I don't want to cause any problems."
Van looked at her with a shocked expression. "Gods," he breathed, "Hitomi, you would never be in the way. I want you to stay." Forever, he added silently.
Hitomi held his gaze, searching his face. That was what she had been waiting to hear, but she wanted to make sure he meant it. She didn't want to cause him pain; his life had been too full of pain already. He looked back at her and gently brushed her hair from her face.
"Believe me" he said, cupping her cheek with his hand. She nodded and closed her eyes, savoring his touch. She lowered her head back to his chest and closed her eyes allowing sleep to overtake her again, secure in his arms. Van stayed awake a while longer, listening to Hitomi's steady breaths as she slept and marveling that she wanted to be with him.
