It was late morning when Hitomi woke up. She had been so exhausted, that she had slept right through breakfast. She noticed that Van's hands were still locked around her, in a protective embrace. He was sleeping soundly. They had been so tired last night, that none of them had bothered to change.
She was still wearing her training clothes. Hitomi yawned and slowly got out of bed. Van stirred, but did not wake. She threw a pillow at him.
"Come on, wake up, your army is probably looking for you by now," she said smiling.
"What?" Van jumped up startled.
"It's almost noon. Wake up," Hitomi told him.
"No, I was sleeping so well. Why did you have to wake me up?" he mumbled sleepily.
"Because your army is probably looking for you by now," Hitomi joked.
"Nah, I told them to let me sleep in today." He smiled at her sleepily.
"Well, anyhow, come on, wake up. I'll call for breakfast." Hitomi told him.
"Sure."
By the time Van woke up, Hitomi had already set the table. Breakfast smelled very inviting. He took a seat.
"Hmm... that smells wonderful," Van said.
"Yeah, dig in." she told him. "Oh, no!" Hitomi exclaimed looking at the clock.
"What's wrong?" Van asked.
"I was supposed to be at a fitting half an hour ago, Merle is going to kill me," Hitomi explained.
"Oh, she'll understand. Just tell her you slept in."
"Yeah, but she's been so insistent over everything." Hitomi told him.
"Oh well..." Van said leaning over to kiss her.
Just then there was a knock on the door.
"Hitomi, are you there?" she heard Merle call.
Before Hitomi could do anything, Merle barged in, and caught her and Van sharing a passionate kiss.
"Ugh, please, don't make me loose my breakfast," she said.
"Sit down with us Merle," Hitomi invited her.
"No, no time. Hitomi, you were supposed to be at your fitting half an hour ago." she criticised looking at her disapprovingly.
"Hey, Merle, lay off her back, she was tired," Van defended Hitomi.
"Oh yeah? You were supposed to be at your fitting too. But no, you two are in here peacefully eating breakfast."
"Stop making such a big fuss. There's half a day before the wedding." Hitomi told her.
"There's only five hours left! Come on, hurry." Merle insisted.
"Sit down, and let us eat our breakfast," Van told her.
Merle obeyed the firm command from her king.
"Have the guests started to arrive?" Hitomi asked.
"Some." Merle responded. "Dryden and Millerna are here, Allen and Prince Chid too, as well as some of our neighbours."
"How are Dryden and Millerna?" Hitomi asked.
"They're very happy. They got together one year after you left, and Now they have a six year old daughter." Merle told her.
"I knew their marriage would be a happy one," Hitomi smiled.
"You made that wish remember?" Van said. "All your wishes come true one way or the other," Van smiled.
"Well, not all, just the really important ones," Hitomi agreed smiling.
"Speaking of which, now that you're done your breakfast, you're coming with me, and going to your fitting," Merle said grabbing on to Hitomi's arm.
"Go easy on her Merle," Van told the over-enthusiastic cat-woman.
"You're in no position to give advice. Gaddes has been waiting for you for over two hours." she said and dragged Hitomi out of the room.
Later that afternoon, everyone gathered in the back gardens for the wedding. In the background was Folken's tomb, and Escaflowne's resting place. The day was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining lovingly above everyone. Van and the so called "priest" were waiting in the middle of the garden.
Hitomi was more than nervous. She was shaking, and was very afraid not to mess up. It was time for her to come in, with that graceful step she had practised all morning. In her white and fluffy wedding gown, Hitomi felt anything but queen-like. She could actually feel her stomach twisting and turning with fear. In a step that seemed clumsy to her, she proceeded onto the place where Van was waiting for her. Taking her time to get there, Hitomi admired his knightly outfit. She was so nervous, and he looked so calm, that Hitomi had to laugh at herself for being so childish. She finally made it to the place where he was waiting for her. Placing her hand in his, Hitomi managed to regain her calm. There was something soothing about the way he held her hand. It was like Van was telling her not to worry. Hitomi couldn't help but look up into his chocolate eyes. There, she met a look so full of love, it sent sparks through her. There, in that moment, Hitomi forgot about everything. All she could see were Van's soothing eyes. Hitomi knew that this long-awaited wedding was so right, for there was no one that had made her feel like that. Ever. She knew, he was the other half of her soul, and as long as she was with him, she was complete. The priest's words came to her like an echo over the sea. Hitomi could feel herself floating somewhere in the wind. Nevertheless, she uttered the sacred words forever bounding her to Van. In a few seconds, she heard herself declared as rightful queen of Fanelia, and wife to Van. She felt Van put the fine ring upon her finger, and yet if you were to ask her later how her wedding was, all Hitomi could have remembered was Van's soothing look, and the way he squeezed her hand.
*flashback*
Van was sitting in the middle of the garden, with the priest waiting for Hitomi. He was so nervous about this. She wasn't appearing. Where was she? He could feel the anxiety flowing through him like a current. And... there she was. In her white wedding dress, stepping slowly through the flowers, Hitomi looked breathtaking. Van couldn't remember seeing anyone as beautiful as she. Hitomi walked calmly towards him, looking straight in his eyes. Van thought he was looking at an angel. He couldn't wait to hold her in his arms. It seemed like the walk was taking forever. Van could feel the pressure and anxiety knotting in his stomach, but she was finally beside him. He took her hand in his, and felt her reassuring squeeze. He squeezed back, and it was like the pressure was just disappearing. He could feel her looking at him. Van felt the irresistible urge to look at her. He saw her irradiating face, and her shiny green eyes. They were all so magnificent. She was so magnificent. Van felt all his love for her multiply and blossom. In her eyes, he could see a whole universe of possibilities, but only one that stood out and made them shine. The one where they were together, always. Sitting there, and holding her hand, Van knew she was the only woman he could ever love, because she was the other half of his soul. There, in that garden he could only see her. His one and only Hitomi. He came back to reality just in time to say the sacred words decreeing her his wife and queen of Fanelia. He placed the ring on her finger, and kissed her passionately.
*end flashback*
It was now a few hours later, and the party was in full bloom.
"Do you wish to dance?" Van asked Hitomi.
"Of course, I would love to," she answered.
"Do you want to retreat after this dance?" he asked her as they were gliding across the dance floor.
"Yeah, I don't think we'll be missed," Hitomi laughed.
"I agree, after this dance," Van said and kissed her.
From a dark corner, Merle was watching the newly married couple. There were tears big dark eyes. Even though she had eight years to get used to the idea, Merle didn't find it any easier now, than before. She had always loved Van in a way he never loved her. Or at least she thought she did. Seeing him so happy made her happy, yet Merle's heart couldn't suppress a silent cry. "I guess it's time to let go." She thought unhappily as she wiped a tear from her cheek,
"Hey, there you are," Gaddes said from behind her.
"What do you want? Here to rant some more? I'm not in the mood for fighting with you," she said sadly.
"I'm not here to fight with you. I just thought you might be in need of some company," he said.
"Well, no thank you. I'd rather be alone." Merle answered him.
"Come on, I know this isn't easy for you." Gaddes said quietly.
"And why would that be?
"Well, you've always been so protective of Van." Gaddes pointed out.
"Look at them dancing, they look so happy," Merle sighed.
"They're in love Merle. You will be that way too when you find the person right for you." Gaddes said and hugged her.
"Hmm... thanks, I needed that," she thanked him. "Why is he hugging me like that?" Merle thought.
"You know, I wasn't that supportive of Hitomi, but seeing how much she loves Van, I must say I respect her." Gaddes confessed.
"Yeah, she does. And he loves her back. I guess she was his soul mate," Merle said.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine." Gaddes assured her.
Merle looked into his blue eyes, and saw understanding. Hmm... maybe there was more to Gaddes than she thought.
The dance ended and Hitomi and Van retreated.
"Let's try my room tonight," he suggested and tried to kiss her.
"Sure, but you'll have to catch me first," she said escaping him.
"Oh I see, you want to play games now," Van said and tried to catch her again.
"Oops, missed again!" she said and kept on running farther away.
"I deliberately missed," he said pretending to be sour.
The game continued as they proceeded down the corridor. Van finally cornered her by his door, and stole the passionate kiss he'd been waiting. Hitomi could feel the tension grow between them.
"Um… don't you think you should open the door first?" she suggested giggling.
"Right," Van said, and opened the door.
All of a sudden, he picked her up in his arms.
"Van, what are you doing?" Hitomi shrieked in surprise.
"I heard this is a custom on the Phantom Moon," he said and kissed her.
"Hmm... I see Merle has been spying for you." she laughed.
Van entered the room, still holding her in his arms.
"I'm never letting go of you," he said locking her in his arms.
"What makes you think I'll let go of you?" she asked.
"After tonight? Nothing, but I'm forewarning you," he said and let her go.
That night, two beings became one, forever locked by chains of love, and never wanting to let go. In the middle of a soon to be crazy world, two beings found freedom, and bliss.