Title: Angel Watching Over Me
Author: Ashley
Rating: PG, mostly for implied angst
Couple: V/H, of course
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of the character therein. But you knew that.
This is my first Esca fic, and my first all-romance fic, so all helpful F/B is greatly appreciated.
Van Fanel, king of Fanelia, halted in his tracks. His jaw hung open and for a horrifying instant, he thought he might faint. He blinked hard once, then again, at the sight before him.
The people who had just shouted "Surprise!" began to smile and laugh at the astounded look on Van's face. From one corner of the room a familiar flash of orange caught his eye. Merle made her way to his side, a large grin on her face.
"Happy birthday, Lord Van," she said, grabbing his arm to pull him farther into the room. He was still in shock, taking in the familiar faces that filled the room. There was Allen, and beside him, the twelve-year-old Chid. Millerna stood just behind her nephew, her arm clasped gently by a smiling Dryden. Eries and a giggling Celena completed the group.
Finally his shock began to fade and a smile curved his lips. Looking down at Merle, he raised an eyebrow. "This was the super important emergency that absolutely couldn't wait?"
Merle kept right on grinning; not the slightest bit repentant. Van had been working much too hard the past seven years. Rebuilding Fanelia was hard work, but Van had been determined to restore it to what it had been before the war.
Now that it was nearing completion, Merle knew he needed a break. She'd gotten together with Millerna, who had become a good friend, to think of ideas. When they'd talked about Van's upcoming birthday, Merle had remembered a conversation she'd had with Hitomi. They'd been talking about the differences between Gaea and the Mystic Moon when birthdays had come up. Hitomi had explained about surprise parties, presents, cakes, even wishing on the candles. Merle had thought it sounded like a strange thing to do, but a fun kind of strange.
So together, she and Millerna had schemed, getting Van's closest friends to come, thinking of ways to keep it all a secret. Apparently that part had been a success, judging by the stunned look on Van's face. But the effort was worth it to see Van smiling and looking more like the Van of years ago.
The party passed quickly as they gave Van his gifts and teased him about his earlier shock. But the highlight was definitely the cake, a stunning creation decorated with a warrior and a dragon. Twenty-three thin candles rested in the thick frosting, having been made especially for this occasion.
When it was time to blow them out, Van stared silently into the flames for a long moment. There was only one thing he wanted had ever wanted. The reason he'd worked hard to restore his home. Van pictured her in his mind, her green eyes glowing as she turned to smile at him.
With a deep breath, he blew as hard as he could. His eyes were shut tightly as he silently whispered his wish. When he looked, not a flame remained. He smiled a little at his thoughts as a servant began to pass out pieces of the cake.
No one noticed the smoke from the candle shift sharply as it drifted to the ceiling. It swirled into patterns, looking almost like a woman's smiling face, before it faded away.
A/N: I took liberty with a few things Gaen in this part. And I'll probably do it again in future parts. So if you notice inconsistencies, it's just stuff I needed to twist around to make the story work.
Author: Ashley
Rating: PG, mostly for implied angst
Couple: V/H, of course
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of the character therein. But you knew that.
This is my first Esca fic, and my first all-romance fic, so all helpful F/B is greatly appreciated.
Van Fanel, king of Fanelia, halted in his tracks. His jaw hung open and for a horrifying instant, he thought he might faint. He blinked hard once, then again, at the sight before him.
The people who had just shouted "Surprise!" began to smile and laugh at the astounded look on Van's face. From one corner of the room a familiar flash of orange caught his eye. Merle made her way to his side, a large grin on her face.
"Happy birthday, Lord Van," she said, grabbing his arm to pull him farther into the room. He was still in shock, taking in the familiar faces that filled the room. There was Allen, and beside him, the twelve-year-old Chid. Millerna stood just behind her nephew, her arm clasped gently by a smiling Dryden. Eries and a giggling Celena completed the group.
Finally his shock began to fade and a smile curved his lips. Looking down at Merle, he raised an eyebrow. "This was the super important emergency that absolutely couldn't wait?"
Merle kept right on grinning; not the slightest bit repentant. Van had been working much too hard the past seven years. Rebuilding Fanelia was hard work, but Van had been determined to restore it to what it had been before the war.
Now that it was nearing completion, Merle knew he needed a break. She'd gotten together with Millerna, who had become a good friend, to think of ideas. When they'd talked about Van's upcoming birthday, Merle had remembered a conversation she'd had with Hitomi. They'd been talking about the differences between Gaea and the Mystic Moon when birthdays had come up. Hitomi had explained about surprise parties, presents, cakes, even wishing on the candles. Merle had thought it sounded like a strange thing to do, but a fun kind of strange.
So together, she and Millerna had schemed, getting Van's closest friends to come, thinking of ways to keep it all a secret. Apparently that part had been a success, judging by the stunned look on Van's face. But the effort was worth it to see Van smiling and looking more like the Van of years ago.
The party passed quickly as they gave Van his gifts and teased him about his earlier shock. But the highlight was definitely the cake, a stunning creation decorated with a warrior and a dragon. Twenty-three thin candles rested in the thick frosting, having been made especially for this occasion.
When it was time to blow them out, Van stared silently into the flames for a long moment. There was only one thing he wanted had ever wanted. The reason he'd worked hard to restore his home. Van pictured her in his mind, her green eyes glowing as she turned to smile at him.
With a deep breath, he blew as hard as he could. His eyes were shut tightly as he silently whispered his wish. When he looked, not a flame remained. He smiled a little at his thoughts as a servant began to pass out pieces of the cake.
No one noticed the smoke from the candle shift sharply as it drifted to the ceiling. It swirled into patterns, looking almost like a woman's smiling face, before it faded away.
A/N: I took liberty with a few things Gaen in this part. And I'll probably do it again in future parts. So if you notice inconsistencies, it's just stuff I needed to twist around to make the story work.
