A/N: OK, I can't
believe that I just finished Chapter 5. That was fast…for me at least. I'm so happy. This means I'm
getting closer to the fluffy part of the story. I hope this chapter didn't disappoint anyone. I had a bit of difficulty with how Millerna
and Dryden get back together but I had some help from a nut called Almond. I know I borrowed the part "the greatest
thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved" from the movie Moulin Rouge
but it works. Amazingly enough, this
chapter wasn't inspired by a song, however, a few of the songs that I was
listening to during this chapter have inspired ideas for upcoming ones. Do you think I listen to too much
music? Please read and review. Your reviews really help motivate me to
write. TTFN.
Traditions
Chapter 5: Excitement & Disappointment
"And so, that's what I had to do to get Millerna to fall completely in love with me. It was quite the accomplishment I'd have to say so myself," gloated Dryden as he continued to steer Tanja along the gravel road. He tried to direct Tanja with his feet but had to quickly grab the reigns with his hands again to avoid going into a ditch.
"I can't believe you kept toying with her like that," stated Hitomi in shock. "So let me get this straight. You would come visit her and take her out on a romantic date and then leave for months at a time."
"Yep. I went with the whole distance makes the heart grow fonder (*Dryden does the quote thing with his hands*) all the while making sure that she wouldn't forget me with my visits. It took a while but it worked. I'm sure you have a first hand understanding of how distance makes you love someone even more that you could imagine," winked Dryden. Hitomi blushed. She didn't know what to say.
"You must love Millerna a lot to have such patience with her. You never gave up did you?"
"One of the most important things that everyone should learn in life is to love and be loved, Hitomi. Love is a many splendoured thing and you should never give up on it."
Hitomi blushed again as she looked down into her lap. Did she and Van have what Dryden and Millerna have? She smiled. They must because she loved him more than ever right now and he wanted to her to come back to him. 'Oh God. I can't believe this is happening. I'm finally going to be with the one I love. I feel like I'm dreaming. I can't be, because my dreams are coming true.'
Her thoughts were interrupted when Dryden spoke up again. "I'm assuming that you're kind of disappointed that you landed in Asturia instead of Fanelia aren't you Hitomi?"
Not wanting to sound rude Hitomi replied, "Well, I am a little disappointed but I'm still very happy to visit you, Millerna, and the others in Asturia too. I mean, if everything goes well, I'll have the rest of my life to be in Fanelia." She couldn't contain her happiness any more. Her life was finally going to be complete and she wanted to shout that out to everyone there on Gaea and on the Mystic Moon.
"Right you are Hitomi."
"I'm also very glad that you found me. I don't think I would have figured out where I was. Everything has changed since I left."
"A lot has changed but I don't think I'll ever forget what happened. It seems just like yesterday when you left and then I saw the pillar of light again and here you are in front of me," Dryden said with a smile. "So, tell me about your last six years on the Mystic Moon. I believe you call it Earth."
"Yeah." Taking a deep breath Hitomi continued, "Well, when I got back I had to answer a lot of questions about where I had been. I don't think many people believed my story but I didn't care. As long as my closest friends, Yukari and Amano, and my family believed me I was happy. Um, let's see. I finished high school and then I went to college. I finished my 4-year degree in only 3 years, which I guess is my big accomplishment."
"Wow. It seems like you've been keeping really busy. You had lots to do back on the M…I mean Earth. Why did you come back…besides Van, if you don't mind me asking?"
Hitomi squirmed at the question. She really had no other reason to return to Gaea except for Van. There was nothing keeping her on Earth so the only thing that seemed right to do was to come back to her second home.
"That's OK. I'm sure love is good reason enough. Well, looking from the scenery, we should be back in Palas in about an hour and a half," informed Dryden as he panned his head to get a good view of the area.
"I'm so excited to see everyone. Hmm, that reminds me. Why exactly are you travelling by wagon? What happened to your ship?"
"I had some business to take care of in Basram. I leave all the political stuff for Millerna to deal with. I've never been much of a diplomat. As for the whole wagon thing, it was a part of my plan and it just became a habit. I sold my ship and started travelling by wagon to make my business trips take longer. It allows me to enjoy the landscape and gives me time to think. Hey look ahead. Can you see the palace?" Dryden asked as he pointed up ahead.
Hitomi stood up a little and squinted her eyes. There, in the distance, stood the marble palace of Asturia. At that particular moment, all that could be seen were the huge towers of the palace but, if Hitomi remembered correctly, soon they would see a huge architectural achievement of blue stone with tall columns and numerous fountains surrounding the perimeter. Life here on Gaea would be so different from the skyscrapers, cars, and traffic of Tokyo but she was looking forward to it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lord Finnigan quickened his step as he tried to keep up with his king. The news of finding a girl made Van happy, nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. He would be so glad if it was Merle and completely overjoyed if it was the love of his life. This could be the moment that his life finally makes a turn for the better. The hallways of the palace never seemed longer as he sped his pace up to a run leaving poor old Finnigan behind. Finnigan was completely out of breath and was leaning against a nearby table.
"You go on ahead, Van. I'll catch up with you later," puffed Finningan in between gasps. "First he doesn't move fast enough, and now he's motoring like a pig on fire," he continued under his breath.
Van looked back and smiled just as he turned the corner. As soon as he reached the meeting room where the girl was waiting, he pushed open the double doors creating a loud bang.
"Where is she? Merle?" shouted Van as he came running into the room looking around frantically. "…Hitomi?"
"She's over here, Your Majesty," responded a royal guard wearing red and black armour as he escorted Van over to the chairs by the fireplace. "She was soaking wet when we found her so we're trying to warm her up. I gave her my own blanket to help too. When we found her she was only wearing a black dress."
"Thank you, Harlock. Could you please give us a moment alone?" Van said as calmly as he could while waving his hand to get the guard to leave.
"Yes, sir," answered the guard hesitantly. He didn't want to leave just yet; he wanted to see what happens.
This was it. Van took a deep breath as he continued walking towards the fireplace. The girl hadn't run up and tackled him so it wasn't Merle…it had to be Hitomi. He could suddenly feel his heart beat faster the closer he got to the chair. His hands started to sweat so he wiped them dry on his robe as he continued towards the chair. Thoughts were running through his head like crazy. What should he say? Should he just hug her and hold her in his arms or just stand there? He had always known what to do in his daydreams but now that the time has finally come he was drawing a complete blank. Hopefully things will work out.
"Hi—" began Van, but even before he could finish her name his heart sank. It wasn't her. Hitomi had not returned to him. He could feel the rush of emotions in him when his eyes met those of the mystery girl. He was entranced. She had long straight auburn hair that must've gone down to her waist. Her eyes were deep cobalt making them seem cold and empty yet Van couldn't take his eyes away. He just stood there looking at her, lost in the blueness of her eyes. The girl just sat there and returned the look that Van gave her. Slowly, she got up from the chair taking off the blanket that had been draped over her for warmth and walked over to Van never once breaking their gaze. She smiled and in a very sweet voice whispered, "My name is Kimera."