AN: Alright, here it goes. The final chapter of the Pearl! What's Hitomi's reaction to Embyr's evil plans? Will Van chicken out? Well, read and find out, and also, reviews are appreciated!
Disclaimer: You all know that I don't own Escaflowne or any of the songs I use, just Embyr and the plot.
The Proposal
" Hi Hitomi, welcome back!" I waved as the carriage containing a very distraught looking Merle and a joyous Hitomi came into view of the castle doors. I ran down the steps and scooped up Elise. I had missed her more than I thought I would. Hitomi hopped out of the carriage.
" Hi Van, Allen!" She ran up to them, hugging Van, then Allen. Merle, meanwhile, shakily climbed down from the carriage.
" Merle, you ok?" I walked up to her, a little concerned.
" Yeah. Do babies always cry that much?" I burst out laughing. Then I heard a gasp from Hitomi.
" Today's Christmas! I completely forgot! I don't have gifts for any of you," stated Hitomi apologetically. Van smiled, then grabbed Hitomi's hand.
" Well, we didn't. Embyr told us all about this Christmas thing, and we decided to get you gifts to make you feel less homesick. Close your eyes." With that, he started pulling her gently toward the second courtyard where her first gift was waiting. Hitomi obediently closed her eyes, but I could tell she was a little puzzled. With Van walking behind her, hands covering her eyes, we entered the courtyard.
" Ok, on three I'm going to move my hands, alright? One, two…" When the count of three should have been, he removed his hands. Hitomi gasped in delight as she surveyed the scene before her.
In the courtyard there was an old fashioned sleigh waiting in the snow, made out of wood. It was painted red, and the runners were gold. Attached to the sleigh was a foursome of jet-black horses, bells attached to their harnesses. A driver was sitting patiently on the carriage.
" Van…this is just like home! Thank you, all of you!" With that, Van helped her in, tucking the furs that were inside the sleigh around her. I made a small shooing motion to Van, and spoke up quickly to explain why he went in after her.
" Well, we have to finish getting everything else ready, so why don't you two go on a tour of Fanelia while we prepare?" Smiling, I set the horses going. The driver was an illusion, so Hitomi and Van could have more privacy if they wanted it. The horses knew where they were going, I had etched it firmly in their minds. Turning, I pushed everybody into the castle.
" Alright people, lets move. The tour will take about half and hour, more if Hitomi introduces him to the tradition of pushing people off of the sleigh. Even longer if they do some…other distracting things." All of us ran into the castle to get things ready.
The horse ride was the most fun I'd had in a while. When Hitomi and I got back to the palace, both of us were covered in snow, because Hitomi pushed me off several times, and I had to retaliate. Laughing, we walked hand in hand into the castle. I quickly pushed down the slight butterflies that were starting to twitch in my stomach. Now's not the time to get nervous Van, I reminded myself sharply. Just then Hitomi stopped short.
" What's wrong, Hitomi?" Blushing, she pointed up. Hanging on the door was a green plant, with red berries. I looked back at her, somewhat puzzled.
" It's mistletoe. At home, there's a tradition that you have to…well…if you get caught under it you have to kiss somebody else…" She trailed off, blushing.
" There's no other doorway to get to where we have to go next, Hitomi." I blushed furiously. Taking a deep breath, I leaned in and quickly kissed her on the cheek.
" Does that pass the custom?" I silently cursed myself for blushing so hard. She nodded, crimson, and we walked down the hallway. When we reached two towering oak doors, I told her to close her eyes again. Once she did, I walked her into a large dining area.
" Alright, you can open them now." Her eyes widened in delight. The room was full of lighted candles, casting a soft flickering glow on the walls. A small table was set for two people, and had a number of small dishes and one large silver platter, complete with crystal goblets with a fruit juice that I knew Hitomi liked in them. Off to the side was a large fir tree, decorated with crystal ornaments and something Embyr created called "tinsel" was wrapped around it, making it sparkle in the candle light. Underneath the tree were various small gifts, which we had gotten for one another.
" Van…did you do this all for me?" Hitomi looked around in amazement. She looked so beautiful. I stuck my hand in my pocket quickly to make sure I had the most important gift in it.
" Yep. I just wanted you to feel more at home, since you were looking a little homesick." With that, I walked over and pulled out a chair for her, and then sat down across from her. Taking off the lid of the silver platter, I caused another gasp of joy from Hitomi.
" How did you know that turkey was my favorite! And cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes….Van, this is the best Christmas ever!" Don't worry Hitomi, I thought silently. I'm going to make sure this night gets a lot better.
After dinner, strange music started floating in through the doors. Getting up from my seat, I walked over to Hitomi and offered my arm.
" Lady, would you do me the honor of allowing me to have this dance?" Smiling, she nodded and got up. After teaching her how to waltz, she paused.
" I'm going to teach you how we dance on the Mystic Moon, ok? It'll be my Christmas present to you." Taking hold of my hands, she placed them on her waist, then wrapped hers around my neck. I had to fight down a tide of emotions. Men on the Mystic Moon were sure lucky if they got to dance with someone like Hitomi this way. But that was impossible. There's nobody in our two worlds that could ever compare to Hitomi. Just then the song changed. This wasn't the carol music anymore. This was my cue.
From Here To Eternity
Michael Peterson
I did everything I could
To get you here tonight,
Without telling you why
Now, girl, if you only would,
Please hold out your hand,
And just close your eyes.
I've been dying to ask you
One burning question.
Will you be mine?
Chorus:
From here to eternity,
I'm asking you to,
Share your life with me,
Now and forever, I guarantee,
I'll always stay by your side.
I promise my love to you,
I'm willing and able and ready to,
Whatever you need,
I am here for you.
And I'll always be,
From here to eternity.
I saved a year for this ring,
I can't wait to see how it looks on your hand.
I'll give you everything that one woman needs
From a one-woman man.
I'll be strong, I'll be tender, a man of my word.
And I will be yours…(Chorus)
In the middle of the song, I reached into my pocket, swallowing nervously.
" Van, what's the matter? You look nervous about something." Hitomi looked at me, eyes brimming with concern.
" It's nothing Hitomi. It's just that, this song is really…well…what I want to say is…" I slowly bent down onto one knee, pulling out a small velvet box, opening it up to reveal a gold ring with a red ruby on it, a dragon etched around the band.
" Hitomi, would you do me the highest honor and make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife and Queen?" I smiled nervously. Hitomi's hands flew to her mouth, eyes brimming with tears. I wasn't worried, because I could tell that she was overjoyed by something.
" Van….the only thing that I can think of to say to this is….yes, of course I will!" With that, she flung herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and burst out sobbing happily as I placed the ring on her finger. I pulled away from her slightly, so that I could see her face.
" Hitomi, I promise that I will be here for you forever, just as the songs says. I love you so much." With that, I leaned in and kissed her, unaware that my wings had burst from my back, shredding my shirt. Even when everybody burst into the room, cheering and clapping, I didn't notice. All I knew was that Hitomi had more than made this Christmas the one I would never forget.
~Owari~
AN: Well? Did you like it? I know it's sappy, but what can I say. It's SOOO SWEEET! Well, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read and review, thanks a bunch! (By the way, I'm in the midst of writing a prologue to the story, as in when Embyr first met Folken. I should have done it first, but….Anyway, if you guys want me to do it, then tell me. Otherwise, I don't know if I have time cause of final exams and all. See ya around!)