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 characters therein. But you knew that. I hope. But I do own this story and the course it takes.
Dediacation: Again, this goes to all the reviewers who take the time to say anything. Thanks!
CHAPTER NINE
*************
"Where's Hitomi?"
Van's statement brought instant silence to the trio gathered in the dim room. Allen was the first to pull himself out of his shock. Moving quickly, he made his way around tables and chairs to where Van still stood in the doorway.
"I didn't think you would be here this soon."
Van met Allen's gaze, barely controlling his impatience. The whole of the trip had strained his nerves to the breaking point. He wanted, no needed to see Hitomi. Until then there was no way he could keep himself calm and focused enough for small talk. "I left as soon as I got your message." From the corner of his eye, Van saw Millerna and Dryden exchange a confused look, but he kept his attention on Allen. "Where is she?"
The other three shared a look and Van felt his unease growing with every second they didn't speak. He felt ready to bounce off the ceiling, or dismember the thick stone walls with his bare hands by the time Allen finally spoke.
"She's doing a lot better," he quickly assured his friend. "She's awake and talking. But before you see her, there are some things you should know."
Van wanted nothing more than to find Hitomi, searching the castle room by room if her had to. But something in their expressions kept him from spinning on his heel to get started. They didn't look like people overjoyed to have been reunited with an old friend. All three seemed tense, uncomfortable.
With a sigh, Van gave in. If being a king had done him no other good, it had taught him never to enter into any situation unprepared. He would hear them out. But it had better be quick, he thought, sinking into the depths of a soft chair. Hitomi was waiting.
Hitomi had made her way painstakingly to a chair near the window. A few minutes earlier a disturbance had shattered the early afternoon calm, sending people scattering. They had crowded together for awhile, obviously discussing the new visitor.
Now Hitomi watched idly as they began to drift back to their earlier occupations. Not even a reckless rider could hold her attention for very long. She found her eyes drawn to the mountains hedging the distant horizon. They seemed so strong and unmovable, even from this distance. From there her eyes drifted upward to where the Earth would soon appear in the sky. She knew she should feel something, a longing to go home, the urge to see her family and friends, but there was nothing. As always.
Hitomi's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind her. She turned, expecting to find Allen with more food or Millerna ready to ask more questions. But instead of either of them there entered another man. Tall and fit, his thick black hair fell rakishly across his forehead. He was dusty from the top of his head to the toes of his brown leather boots. Dressed casually in a loose linen shirt and dark trousers, he seemed completely out of place in the elegantly decorated room.
Finally Hitomi's eyes found his face and her breath caught in her throat in her throat. Van. It was Van. Older, taller, more muscular, but it was definitely him. Her hands dropped to down to squeeze the chair's arms in a white-knuckle grip, her eyes still locked on his face.
Neither of them moved; Van still stood halfway in, halfway out of the room. He stared at her as hard as she was staring at him. Unable to meet the depths of his dark eyes, eyes she had dreamed about for so long, Hitomi dropped her gaze. It landed on the pendant nestled on his shirtfront, and reality came rushing back to her.
The months of waiting for some word, some contact from him. The feelings of loneliness and betrayal that had flooded her as the days turned into weeks, the months into years. She thought of the accident, the months of pain and therapy as she fought her injuries. She'd needed him then, needed some hop to hang onto. Some reason to keep going, to not give up. A reason that hadn't come. Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him. A flood of emotion brought heat rushing to her cheeks.
Van stared at the vision before him. It was the Hitomi he'd remembered, the one he dreamed about. But there was a stranger there, too. Someone he'd never met before. Her hair was different, longer maybe. She looked tired, thin . . . and beautiful. Breathtaking. Angry.
When he'd first entered the room, she'd stared at him with disbelief written all over her face. But then her expression had changed to what looked like happiness. As though she were as delighted to see him as he was to see her. She'd met his gaze for only a moment before dropping it, but his eyes had remained locked on her face. Her expression had changed rapidly from happiness to a look of hurt. He'd watched as her lips trembled and the pain in her green eyes ripped through his heart.
Finally, she'd lifted he head to glare at him, her face flushed a delicate rose. Even as it bought him pain, it had also brought hope. After what Allen, Dryden, and Millerna had told him, seeing any animation, even anger, had to be a good sign.
But even as the thought occurred to him, the look faded, leaving Hitomi pale and weak looking. The spark of life in her eyes flickered and died. Shoulders slumping, she looked so small sitting there, as though she barely had the strength to remain upright.
"Hello, Van." Even her voice was smaller than he remembered it to be, sounding painfully uncertain.
"Hitomi," he croaked, taking another step into the room. No emotion crossed her face. She remained still looking distant. Unreachable. As though talking to him held no personal interest to her. Van took another step forward, his determination to help her renewed.
Hitomi watched him advance, feeling drained. Her anger had faded almost as quickly as it had flared. Rational thought had taken over, reminding her of the facts. What right did she have to be angry with him? None. It wasn't as if he had promised to always be there for her. He hadn't sworn to never let her feel scared or alone. He'd never known all the expectations she heaped onto his shoulders. Her dreams of undying love and commitment were just that. Dreams. Her dreams.
What did she think she had to offer someone like him? He was a king, someone important. She was just a failure no one would think twice about. For all she knew he hadn't thought of her once during the past seven years. How stupid could she be to pin all her hopes on someone who couldn't care less?
Van probably didn't even want to be here. She'd bet her life Allen had sent for him. He'd have come out of a sense of obligation, not because he cared. She'd give him the I'm-glad-to-see-you, - doing-much-better, -thank-you speech and send him on his merry way. He' be glad for the way out. All she had to do was convince him she didn't need him around. That she was fine and perfectly able to take care of herself.
Then he'd leave, and she'd never have to see him again.
* * * * *
A/N: Before everyone gets out the tar and feathers, they DID talk. So it was only three words . . . They still talked. And I got this out in ONE day! In conciliation (that word still doesn't look right, even though spell check says it is), the next part will contain plenty of dialogue. Loud, angry dialogue. And fluff. I promise fluff. Really. I'm not just playing with you. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
And another quick thanks to all the reviewers. From the time I posted Chapter Eight yesterday to the time I counted the reviews this morning, eleven people had written. That's the best response I've ever gotten. So yah!!! to you guys! Please keep it up.
Author: Ashley
Rating: PG, mostly for implied angst
Couple: V/H, of course
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or any of the characters therein. But you knew that. I hope. But I do own this story and the course it takes.
Dediacation: Again, this goes to all the reviewers who take the time to say anything. Thanks!
CHAPTER NINE
*************
"Where's Hitomi?"
Van's statement brought instant silence to the trio gathered in the dim room. Allen was the first to pull himself out of his shock. Moving quickly, he made his way around tables and chairs to where Van still stood in the doorway.
"I didn't think you would be here this soon."
Van met Allen's gaze, barely controlling his impatience. The whole of the trip had strained his nerves to the breaking point. He wanted, no needed to see Hitomi. Until then there was no way he could keep himself calm and focused enough for small talk. "I left as soon as I got your message." From the corner of his eye, Van saw Millerna and Dryden exchange a confused look, but he kept his attention on Allen. "Where is she?"
The other three shared a look and Van felt his unease growing with every second they didn't speak. He felt ready to bounce off the ceiling, or dismember the thick stone walls with his bare hands by the time Allen finally spoke.
"She's doing a lot better," he quickly assured his friend. "She's awake and talking. But before you see her, there are some things you should know."
Van wanted nothing more than to find Hitomi, searching the castle room by room if her had to. But something in their expressions kept him from spinning on his heel to get started. They didn't look like people overjoyed to have been reunited with an old friend. All three seemed tense, uncomfortable.
With a sigh, Van gave in. If being a king had done him no other good, it had taught him never to enter into any situation unprepared. He would hear them out. But it had better be quick, he thought, sinking into the depths of a soft chair. Hitomi was waiting.
Hitomi had made her way painstakingly to a chair near the window. A few minutes earlier a disturbance had shattered the early afternoon calm, sending people scattering. They had crowded together for awhile, obviously discussing the new visitor.
Now Hitomi watched idly as they began to drift back to their earlier occupations. Not even a reckless rider could hold her attention for very long. She found her eyes drawn to the mountains hedging the distant horizon. They seemed so strong and unmovable, even from this distance. From there her eyes drifted upward to where the Earth would soon appear in the sky. She knew she should feel something, a longing to go home, the urge to see her family and friends, but there was nothing. As always.
Hitomi's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening behind her. She turned, expecting to find Allen with more food or Millerna ready to ask more questions. But instead of either of them there entered another man. Tall and fit, his thick black hair fell rakishly across his forehead. He was dusty from the top of his head to the toes of his brown leather boots. Dressed casually in a loose linen shirt and dark trousers, he seemed completely out of place in the elegantly decorated room.
Finally Hitomi's eyes found his face and her breath caught in her throat in her throat. Van. It was Van. Older, taller, more muscular, but it was definitely him. Her hands dropped to down to squeeze the chair's arms in a white-knuckle grip, her eyes still locked on his face.
Neither of them moved; Van still stood halfway in, halfway out of the room. He stared at her as hard as she was staring at him. Unable to meet the depths of his dark eyes, eyes she had dreamed about for so long, Hitomi dropped her gaze. It landed on the pendant nestled on his shirtfront, and reality came rushing back to her.
The months of waiting for some word, some contact from him. The feelings of loneliness and betrayal that had flooded her as the days turned into weeks, the months into years. She thought of the accident, the months of pain and therapy as she fought her injuries. She'd needed him then, needed some hop to hang onto. Some reason to keep going, to not give up. A reason that hadn't come. Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him. A flood of emotion brought heat rushing to her cheeks.
Van stared at the vision before him. It was the Hitomi he'd remembered, the one he dreamed about. But there was a stranger there, too. Someone he'd never met before. Her hair was different, longer maybe. She looked tired, thin . . . and beautiful. Breathtaking. Angry.
When he'd first entered the room, she'd stared at him with disbelief written all over her face. But then her expression had changed to what looked like happiness. As though she were as delighted to see him as he was to see her. She'd met his gaze for only a moment before dropping it, but his eyes had remained locked on her face. Her expression had changed rapidly from happiness to a look of hurt. He'd watched as her lips trembled and the pain in her green eyes ripped through his heart.
Finally, she'd lifted he head to glare at him, her face flushed a delicate rose. Even as it bought him pain, it had also brought hope. After what Allen, Dryden, and Millerna had told him, seeing any animation, even anger, had to be a good sign.
But even as the thought occurred to him, the look faded, leaving Hitomi pale and weak looking. The spark of life in her eyes flickered and died. Shoulders slumping, she looked so small sitting there, as though she barely had the strength to remain upright.
"Hello, Van." Even her voice was smaller than he remembered it to be, sounding painfully uncertain.
"Hitomi," he croaked, taking another step into the room. No emotion crossed her face. She remained still looking distant. Unreachable. As though talking to him held no personal interest to her. Van took another step forward, his determination to help her renewed.
Hitomi watched him advance, feeling drained. Her anger had faded almost as quickly as it had flared. Rational thought had taken over, reminding her of the facts. What right did she have to be angry with him? None. It wasn't as if he had promised to always be there for her. He hadn't sworn to never let her feel scared or alone. He'd never known all the expectations she heaped onto his shoulders. Her dreams of undying love and commitment were just that. Dreams. Her dreams.
What did she think she had to offer someone like him? He was a king, someone important. She was just a failure no one would think twice about. For all she knew he hadn't thought of her once during the past seven years. How stupid could she be to pin all her hopes on someone who couldn't care less?
Van probably didn't even want to be here. She'd bet her life Allen had sent for him. He'd have come out of a sense of obligation, not because he cared. She'd give him the I'm-glad-to-see-you, - doing-much-better, -thank-you speech and send him on his merry way. He' be glad for the way out. All she had to do was convince him she didn't need him around. That she was fine and perfectly able to take care of herself.
Then he'd leave, and she'd never have to see him again.
* * * * *
A/N: Before everyone gets out the tar and feathers, they DID talk. So it was only three words . . . They still talked. And I got this out in ONE day! In conciliation (that word still doesn't look right, even though spell check says it is), the next part will contain plenty of dialogue. Loud, angry dialogue. And fluff. I promise fluff. Really. I'm not just playing with you. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
And another quick thanks to all the reviewers. From the time I posted Chapter Eight yesterday to the time I counted the reviews this morning, eleven people had written. That's the best response I've ever gotten. So yah!!! to you guys! Please keep it up.
