Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne.

Author notes: This is just a slight revision to correct errors in my writing. So sorry about the spelling errors I am still trying to get this story right.

Chapter Two

The healers face was pale with fear as he looked at the young girl before him the pain he had felt was gone but the words remained. She had a slight smile on her face that was the picture of innocence her breathing now normal she seemed to be resting easily. His mind assessed the situation he was in, one thing clear he had to get her out of there quickly. Pacing the floor his thoughts turned dark he had no doubt that the child was not normal in fact it seemed to control her actions having a dangerous effect on her.

"Perhaps the monks in the mountains of Fanalia can free her of this demon" his thoughts interrupted by a knock at the door. He walks slowly to the door not sure what he will say opening the door. He is faced with Allen "how is the patient?" he asks with concern clearly in his voice.

"She is resting now, I am concerned with her mental state though" he pauses to gather his thoughts " I want to suggest something to you, there are monks in the mountains of Fanalia that are well known for their ability to heal problems of the mind and I want to take your sister to them" he continues slowly "I think it is vital to her recovery from whatever is troubling her and causing her illness." He glances toward Celena "They can help her I know it, but she must leave now"

"I will prep the Crusade for departure," Allen states as he starts to leave the room.

"Wait, there is one more thing I must tell you the monks will not allow anyone but the patient to remain in the temple" he rushes face downcast " They will contact you on her progress, trust me she will be in good hands"

Allen agrees reluctantly to his conditions as he stares at his sisters still form "When will you need to leave?" he asks.

" As soon as possible" the healer replies.

One month later…

Hitomi sat by the pond in the garden her dark blue gown making her look like a princess as she moved her fingers through the flowered waters her thoughts troubled by the dilemma she faced. Van had agreed that they would return to the Temple when she had recovered and though her wounds had long since healed he had avoided the subject of returning to the Temple all together. She could not deny the urgency to find the meaning for her newfound powers; it plagued her not knowing the full ramifications of her abilities or the effect they will have on their unborn child.

"Hitomi what you doing?" Merle chirped pulling her from her thoughts.

Hitomi continued to stare into the pond and sighed "Oh just thinking Merle" her eyes emollient slowly filling with unshed tears.

"Aren't you happy here Hitomi…I mean you and Van are ok right?" her brows furrowed as she questioned her obviously distrait friend. Hoping all the while that she was not thinking of leaving Van, she knew better than anyone that to lose her now would kill him.

Sensing the concern and uncertainty in Merle's voice she quickly turned toward her "Oh yes Merle I am happy here I love Van and would never want to leave him he is my heart" she said earnestly "It's just that…It's been a month and he avoids the subject of returning to the Priestess Temple…I really need to know what this new ability comes from why do I have it" she paused "How it effects me and…" she trails off

"It's because he is worried about you Hitomi, if anything should happen to you it would Kill Lord Van" she says with a sincerity and knowledge well past her years. "Be patient Hitomi there is a lot of gossip surrounding you and the Temple that have Van concerned" she paused noticing the confusion on Hitomi's face. "The gossip will stop you'll see and van will take you to the Temple" she concludes with a hint of uncertainty.

"What is it that they are saying Merle?" her eyes revealing hurt and confusion.

"Its just gossip Hitomi" she offers trying to change the subject as she avoided eye contact "Want to go for a walk?" she offered.

"Please Merle tell me" she implores holding Merle's shoulder causing her to make eye contact. Until she continued what she had begun.

"They say that the King of Mosera didn't die of a heart attack…" she starts slowly "They say that Van is planning with you to…take over Gaea …some of them say that the King and his heir dieing while in Fanalia couldn't be a coincidence…their afraid of-

"Me" Hitomi continued for her tears streaking down her cheeks "I am afraid of myself," she whispered wiping her tears.

"Don't cry Hitomi everything will be alright," she says hugging Hitomi's shoulders.

That evening in the Castle…

"King Van the people want answers" Tidan pauses "The King of Bashram is gathering an army to protect his country, he feels you are a threat, the trade agreement has been suspended and all this for one girl even you can see she must go back…" Tidan beseeches.

She is my future wife!" he snaps fists clinched knuckles turning whiter by the minute "I can't lose her again, not to rumors" he pauses in thought "The rumors will end" he says just above a whisper "We will configure a peace agreement to assure Bashram or anyone else that's concerned that we do not want War!" he bits before continuing calmly "We want nothing more that to live in peace.

"I know young King, but you can't deny the power she has is no longer a secret and it gives people reason to fear her they will either want to capture or destroy-

"I will make sure that never happens!" he barks " I will protect her as you should seeing she will soon be Queen it is your sworn duty to protect her"

"That I will sire with my life" his face stern eyes serious " we will double the guards on watch" his face somber clearly giving up on convincing Van of anything with a heavy sigh. "Dryden assures me he will do all he can to quell the rumors on his end and will contact you with any changes" he concluded "If that is all sire" he bowed receiving a nod from Van he leaves the room.

Later that evening…

"Van?" Hitomi says with a start as Van storms into their room.

"Mattaku no Baka!" he yells in frustration as he paces the floor.

"What's happened Van?" she asks eyes filled with dread and concern as she crosses the room placing her arms around him.

He stops his cursing staring into her loving face he pulls her tightly into his arm. "I'm sorry to scare you, its nothing," he whispers to her.

"Please Van tell me what's happening" she pauses "I-Is it because of me" she sighs into his shirt.

He pulls her closer " It's not you Hitomi the concern is with a threat that does not exist"

He whispers softly stroking her hair.

She sighs in understanding then recalls the question she has wanted to ask for so long "Van when will we return to the Temple?" she continues sensing his hesitation "I need to know what this ability is, it won't go away by postponing it it'll just get worse" she concludes.

Sensing her need for answers equal his own he answers hesitantly " We will go in the morning Hitomi" he whispers placing a butterfly kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you Van" she places a kiss on his chin nuzzling softly as she runs her hands up his chest. She feels his hands tighten on her waist as she rubs her fingers through his hair he softly touches her lips with his own slowly deepening the kiss as his hands explore her curves he moans in his throat before lifting her into his arms carrying her swiftly to the bed. Both feeling the need to put their worries behind them if only for tonight, he lays her on the bed lying beside her he continues his exploration.

To be continued…

Thank you, to every one who has reviewed I've made changes to the fiction I hope everyone likes Please Review and give me your honest opinion.