Chapter 6, Nighttime Romance.

            Merle walked with Kael, side by side through the gardens and under the moonlight and the starry sky.   She would have liked to hold his hand or maybe have his arm around her shoulders, but she was too nervous to ask him or to make the first move.  

Merle had asked Van if she could use his private dinning hall for the night, it is meant only for the King and queen on special occasions, but she thought that it would be a good idea to use it, after all she is the adopted sister of the King and did owe Kael a meal.  

            After the amazing meal, curtsy of Lord Van, they went out for a walk in the royal gardens to watch the sunset and the stars and moons appear.  

            "Thank you for the dinner Kael."   Merle said shyly.   

            "Why are you thanking me?  It was you who set it up with King Van, I should be thanking you."   He chuckled.    "I haven't had much time to have a meal like that, while Allen's training me. " 

"Oh, well I'm glad that I could give you a meal like that.   So is the deal done? No more dinners? No more walks?" Merle asked, hoping that there would be more late night walks, and more evening meals.  

"Of course not! There are going to be more walk and dinners and other things too, if you want to, that is."   Kael said temptingly.    

"Okay, how about another walk tomorrow for lunch."   Merle asked, really excited.  

"I can't do that, I have to do my rounds, but I would love to go for another dinner, and another walk." 

"Okay I would really like that."   Merle paused, afraid to ask a question that has been on her mind all day.  "When do you have to go back to Asturia?"

Kael sighed. "I'm not sure, it depends when Allen will call me back.   I'm sorry, I really have no clue." 

"That's fine."  Merle answered cheerfully, but really feeling mad at the fact that he is going to leave soon.   She did not want him to leave at all.   He was always so nice and kind to her.  Never did he treat her as if she is a beast and that does not deserve to be here.   He was so friendly; she could almost believe that she liked him more than a friend usually would have.   He certainly was handsome, and he had the deepest of blue eyes that you could lose yourself in, just looking in them and feeling very safe…

"Merle, you've not only gone very quiet, but you're also blushing.  What are you thinking about?" he teased her.  

"Umm nothing too important." Came the quick reply.  

"For some reason, I don't believe you, but I'm going to let it pass because you have very sharp claws and I bet that they really hurt, and I'm not will very willing to put my money on that sort of bet."  He said holding up his hands in defeat.  

Merle examined her hands, when she extended her claws she held them up to show him.    "You're right, they are very sharp."  She said; Kael had slowly moved closer to Merle.  

Very carefully, he retched out, took her paw, and looked at it.  He rubbed his hand over her soft furry hand.  Merle looked up at his face, very surprised by the gentle gesture.  The small shocks of electricity that was running up to her heart when he stroked her hand, startling her.  

"Kael…" She said her eyes wide and her checks red.  

"They're very soft and warm.  They're extremely beautiful."   Kael could not make eye contact with Merle because he was also blushing.  

"Ummm… thank you."   Merle could not stop looking at his face, waiting to see his deep gorgeous eyes.     When he finally looked up, their eyes connected.  Merle only got redder but was thankful that her fur hid most of her blush.  Merle thought that she could see everything in his soul through his eyes.  She could not free her gaze from his, she thought that he had said something but she did not really acknowledge it.  

"Merle?  I think that we should be getting back inside the castle now.  It is getting cold.   "   He said while he still held her hand.  

            "Oh right."   Merle did not really want to go inside just yet, but she did not mind that he was still holding her hand.  

            "Where do you want to go tomorrow night?" Kael asked.  

            "What?" Merle was not listening very well, because she was daydreaming about him.  

            "For dinner."   They were slowly approaching the castle and Kael wanted to make sure that there would be another night like this or better.  

            "I don't know, I guess I could get one of the chef to pack us a meal and we could go out." 

            "That's sound great, but I don't know Fanelia very well, so you'll have to pick the spot." 

            "Okay, I think I know the perfect spot.  I'll meet you an east gates tomorrow eve at 6 o'clock " 

            "Okay."  They walked inside the castle only to be stopped a page.  

            "Lady Merle, Lord Kael.  King Van has called a meeting about the Lady's Hitomi's accident. He has asked that all captains go there, and has made a request that Lord Kael also attend." 

            "Okay, I'll just escort lady Merle to her room, then I'll be right there." 

            "King Van says to come right away."  The page said nervously.  

            Before Kael could answer, Merle spoke "It's okay, I can go back to my room.  I'll see you tomorrow for dinner."

            "Oh, so I get no say in this?"

"Nope." Merle laughed and hurried off.

"Bye?" Kael said, a little confused as to what had just happened.  He raked a hand through his hair. "Women…Cat-Women." He shook his head and followed the page into the meeting room.

~*~*~*~*~

            Merle walked down the hall, her tail swaying back and forth, thinking about the wonderful night she just had and about tomorrow night. Suddenly something tugged on her tail.

Merle turned around ready to defend herself, but saw that it was Van.  Somehow, she had not smelt or heard him at all.

            "Hang on you little cat-woman."  Van said giving her tail another very small tug so as not to hurt her.  

"How exactly did you get Morgan away from the castle in such a rush?  And she didn't even tell me why."

"What ever do you mean Lord Van?"  Merle asked deviously.  

"Hmmm, I wonder.  How did you get her to leave, without so much as packing a bag?  She is too vain not to pack a bag, unless that is if it is and emergency.  I know that she would have told me, or at least I would have been informed if a member of her family had passed away.    However, I have not."  Van looked at her intensely.  

"Lord Van, I think that I hear Hitomi calling.  You should go and see her."   Merle said, trying to get his mind on anything but what she did.  

"I don't think so.  I would have known if Hitomi called out.  Merle…somebody told me that you were planning something."  Van looked right at her, not letting go of her tail so that she couldn't turn and run.  

"What?!? I cannot believe him!  He promised that he would keep quiet about finding me in the Magistrate's Office!  I can't believe him!"  Merle huffed.  

"Merle what were you doing in the Magistrate's Office?  You know that you are not allowed in there.  I barely allowed in there.  And who is 'him'?"

"What do you mean who's him? Didn't Kael tell you what I did?"

"No."  Van said letting go of her tail.

"Then… he didn't really tell you anything?  You mean that nobody told you anything?" Merle whined.  

"No!  Now you just told me what happened. Thank you very much Merle." Van laughed at Merle's mistake.  

"Lord Van!!!  No fair!! Your not allowed to do that to me!"

Van ignored her whining. "Now tell me what you did to get her to leave, or I'll go and ask your accomplice.  He'll have to tell me." 

"What do I get in return?"

"I'll have to torture you until you give in." 

"You wouldn't dare!" she accused; Merle still was not sure if he would revert into his old mean self.  

"Seriously Merle, I'll do it!" Van asked his eyes getting dark.  

"But lord Van! Please don't! People will know!" Merle cried.  

"It's final, Merle! No shopping for a month until you tell me." 

"I can't wear what I wore a month ago!  Anyways why does it matter to you? She's gone for a month and you can be with Hitomi! You won't have to deal with her for a month! Why should you care where she is!"

"Merle she's my fiancée!  I have to care where she is! Merle, I'm just trying to help Hitomi get better, that's the only reason!"

"You keep telling yourself that then!" Merle yelled angrily and ran off.  

Van stood there stunned, never had Merle yelled at him before.  "Merle can't know what I'm feeling and I'm not just telling myself that.  Morgan's the only one for me…right?  She the only one for me… she has to be, she'd never leave me…right?" Van said.  His statement was getting weaker and weaker every time he said it.  

~*~*~*~*~

Kael looked up when the doors opened and King Van walked through.  He looked confused and as if he had just been scolded by his mother or father for doing something bad.

"Lord Van, we would like to begin the meeting."

"Ya sure, whatever." Van said absentmindedly.

His advisors, Generals and servants stared at him in utter belief.   It was so unlike the King to be so un-formal, that they did not move because of shock.

"My Lord Van, are you alright?"

"Yes that's fine. I'll sign it later." Van said still not listening.

"Lord Van please, snap out of it!" One of his advisors yelled at him.

"What?" Van's head moved up.  "What? Pardon, what did you say?"

"Are you unwell you majesty?" They asked in concern.

"What, of course not, I'm perfectly fine. Let us begin the meeting."

"Of course you majesty.   I would like to being with the paper work that you haven't done yet, and it was left up to Lady Merle to do it, and she is not qualified to do it."

"I was busy taking care of Hitomi.  Merle wanted to help me so she took the responsibility; furthermore I will have that paper work done soon, don't worry."

"Yes sire, but it is vitally important that those papers area done as soon as possible.  Another subject that has arisen lately, is that you have taken on caring for Hitomi-"

"Lady Hitomi." Van said correcting them.

"Umm yes, Lady Hitomi.  That could have been done by one of the many servants here.  It's up to the King of a country to take care of it's people, not a single Lady."

"I will do as I see fit.  I will still be caring for Hitomi's health until she is able to.  It is none of your business to what I do in my time.  A matter that I would like to address is the matter of who was it that pushed her off. And why?"

"Milord, are you sure that she didn't jump herself.  I know that you were once infatuated with her and she was with you, are you sure that she didn't jump because of jealousy?"

I wasn't infatuated with her, I lo…

Van shook his head, to put his thoughts in order. "No, I know that she would have done that, she valued life too much to take her own in such a careless way.  She's too smart for that."

"Well then hasn't she told you who push her off? I'm sure someone would remember an event like that." They jested.

"She doesn't remember, at all." Van snapped.  "She has lost her memory in the fall, she can't even remember who she is, or where she's from." Or who I am…

"My Lord didn't Lady Merle say that it was Lady Celena who pushed her off?" Kael finally spoke up.

"Yes, but I really don't think that Lady Celena could have done that. They were too close of friends. It could be someone who was trying to frame Lady Celena.  Hitomi would have put up some sort of fight with the enemy.  I would like guards to watch over lady Celena; don't bother her, just watch her."

"What would you like us to do about it?  It's over with, it's done.  I don't think that the person who pushed Lady Hitomi off would come back now that we know and are expecting it, it would mean death for whoever did this."

"We are not going to lower the guards or our defenses until we have found out what's going on.  I will not risk losing her. Or anyone else."

"Lord Van theirs is one last thing that I would like to ask you about… where is your fiancée, Lady Morgan? She was here one day and gone the next.  Do you know what happened to her?" They asked, entirely befuddled.

"No, but I'm sure there are people who could tell me where she went.  I hear that she is healthy and fine and will be returning soon."  Van starred at Kael intensely.

Kael immediately looked away, he knew that he was in trouble now.  That would mean death if the King knew that it was he who did it.

"The meeting is adjourned."  All the people that sat around the table stood up and left.  Van didn't move.  "Sir Kael, I would like to speak to you for a minute."

"Yes sir."  They waited until there was quiet in the room.  The glow of the candle's that littered the room, rippled through the room.

"Sir Kael, you are training under Sir Allen, to become a knight, am I correct?"

"Yes sir." Kael stood with a blank expression on his face.

"You also know Lady Merle, my adopted sister, am I correct?" he asked with a stone face.

"Yes sir."

"Do you know why my fiancée left?"

"No sir."

"Are you lying?" Van looked at him.  His voice didn't waver a bit.  Kael knew that this was it.

Kael hesitated. "Yes sir."

"Did you plan this with Lady Merle." He asked meaningfully.

"No sir, she has nothing to do with this.  She knows nothing about this. Sir."

"Don't try to protect her, I know fully what she's capable of and I also know that she probably got you into this before you even knew what was going on. Am I right?"

"No sir, she has nothing to do with this."

"You know that I could have you hung for this; lying to the King, and plotting against my future wife.  I would make it a public event.  I don't think that anyone has ever been caught with high treason, it would be a first in Fanelia."

All the blood drained out of Kael's face.  He knew that one day he would have had to die, but not so brutally and so young. "Yes sir."

"Guards!" Van called. "Please have Lady Merle brought to this room immediately."

"Sir, I promise that Lady Merle has nothing to do with this, she's totally innocent I had planned it all.  Please don't kill her."

"Do you think that I would kill my own sister?  What would Fanelia think of me then?  A cruel and heartless King.  I can't have that."

Kael was getting weaker and weaker.  He couldn't stand this; it was slow and torturous way for a King to plan his death, with him standing right in front of him.  He couldn't believe that he would never see Merle until after tomorrow, when he'd most likely be hung.

The doors opened once again, revealing Merle.  Merle casually walked up to them and waited for someone to talk.  When she looked over to Kael, she saw what looked like a frightened boy, with a colorless face; he almost looked like death.

"Yes Lord Van?" She asked nervously.

"I would like some answers.  Now."

"My lord, she knows nothing about this." Kael pleaded.

"Please be quiet.  Merle I know that your hiding something.  I also think that you some how have tricked Sir Kael, here in to this.  He's very protective of you. He says that you know nothing about this.  I know that that's not true.  So, what's it going to be Merle?  Telling me the truth or the fate that I have chosen for Sir Kael?"

"What fate would that be?" Merle was still uncertain of Van's true intentions.

"Well, I thought that we could hang him tomorrow.  Outside in the courtyard, it would be public. I think that it would be fun." Merle saw the glint in his eyes, but Kael didn't.  Kael was so pale that Merle that he might pass out soon.

"Are you going to invite Princess Millerna, King Dryden and Allen?  How about Prince Chid, do you think that he would like to watch?" Merle asked, enormously happy

Kael could believe this. Merle was also plotting his death. "Oh dear lord.  I can't believe that I'm going to die tomorrow."  He said very shocked.

Van and Merle ignored him.  "Well I think that you're right Merle, but I also think that we should invite all the other monarchs too from this side of Gaea.  Do you think that we might even have enough time to plan another ball?  I am sure that everyone would love another ball after the hanging; it would be a great celebration."

"Lord Van, do you think that there would be enough time though?  I wonder how long it would take to build a hanging plank.  I mean we could do it from a tree, if time is really pressed. Oh, can I have some money to buy a new dress? Pretty please Lord Van."

Van couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst out laughing, soon after Merle joined him.  They could stop laughing for what it seamed like hours.  By the time, Kael had a chance to speak, Merle was rolling on the floor, and Lord Van was laughing hysterically in his royal chair.

"You people are sick!  You talk about my death as if I'm not here! I'm going to die and you people are making it an event! AND ARE LAUGHING ABOUT IT!!!!!!"

"You win Merle I could hold it in, you've always won at that game!"

"Lord Van I haven't played that game with you in such along time."

"Game?  You people area crazy!"

"I'm really sorry about that Kael, I just needed a good laugh. You should have seen the look on your face!"  Van said still laughing.

"Kael, Lord Van and I used to do this sort of games to other really annoying monarchs.  We mainly did it to scare them, since everybody already thinks that Fanelia is crazy, with its dragons, we just like having fun.  Please, I'm really sorry, but it was really funny." Merle took his hand and patted it slightly. Kael looked down at her.  He was embarrassed. His dignity was crushed.

"Now seriously Merle, what did you two do to get Lady Morgan to leave.  I really would like to know.  And don't worry, I won't hang anybody tomorrow." Van chuckled.

"We made it a law that the beseeched had to stay away from each other for two and a half months month's in order to demonstrate fidelity. In addition, since you are the King of Fanelia, you had to stay here and do your duties.  So she left, I am not very sure as to where she went but I think that I heard that she would leave to go to Solaria.  I hope your not mad Lord Van." Merle looked at Kael.  He has not moved or said a word since he found out that they were just playing a game.  He appeared to be angry. Really angry.

"Well, you know that you probably shouldn't have done this, but it's done now so I guess that I'll wait the two and a half month's."

"Do you mind if I go back to bed now, your guards woke me up and I'm very tired."

"Good night Merle.  Thank you." Van smiled at her.  "I assume that you must also be tired sir Kael."

"No not really. Your majesty."

"Please jus call me Van.  I'm truly sorry for that joke, I hope that your not terrible made at Merle.  She just played along."

"What?" he asked confused.

"I can see that your mad, I don't mind if it's at me, but please don't be mad at Merle.  She would be sad, and I don't want her to be sad."

"I really don't understand her. I would like to but, she's just really bizarre. But then again she's a female."

"If you hurry I'm sure that you could still walked her to her room."

"Thank you, your majesty."

"Kael, my name is Van."

"Yes sir."

"They never learn." He mumbled to himself.

Kael quickly left, trying to chase after Merle. Van pick up more of his papers that he had to do and left for Hitomi's room.

~*~*~*~*~*~

As Hitomi opened her eyes, the moonlight poured through her balcony window.    A dull warm breeze had awoken her from her sleep. The air was damp with warm dew.    

 When she turned her head towards the window, her eyes opened further when she saw the most majestic sight; a silhouette of an angel.   Her guardian angel.   A tall man stood with wings spread out to the heavens.   His back was turned on Hitomi, but she could still feel how he felt; sad.  

The two moons hung in the star scattered sky beyond the angel.   This angel looked wishful, and longing; he looked up to the moons for the longest time.   It seam as if he stood there a lot in his past, waiting for something to happen.   Now he just stood there.  

Hitomi was content just watching him.  She felt as if nothing could ever harm her with this man near by.   She closed her eyes and drank in the sounds of the night, with the warm air that wrapped around her like a blanket.

She heard footsteps that were coming towards her. When she opened her eyes, she saw the most amazing sight to behold; the man with the angle like wings looked deep into her eyes with his dark chocolate eyes.  The look was a look of love.

He offered his hand to her. She slowly reached out towards the extended hand and took it.  His hands were warm, large and she felt so alive; he brought her in closer into himself.   He put her arms around his neck and her head against his chest; he put his own arms around her waist and rested his head upon hers.  His wings gently flared out and stretched.  They were magnificent.  She unlocked one of her arms from his neck and carefully brushed the soft pure feathers.

She felt him shiver; she retracted her hand and moved her head to look at him once again.

He smelt like firewood and an open grassy field.  It was calming and relaxing. She felt so utterly comfortably in his strong arms.  He had the most brilliant smile.  It sent shocks of electricity through her body when she looked at him. She smiled back and snuggled closer to his loving body.  She couldn't remember ever being happier in her life.

"Hitomi, I love you." The angel said.  He tenderly gathered her closer and then he enfolded them in his massive wings.

She closed her eyes and drank in the night, the sight, sounds, smells, and the feelings.  She did not want to move, she just wanted to stand there together for eternity.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Hitomi woke up to a sharp cold breeze. She could hear the dying sound of the fire slowly going out. It was still dark out, and once again, Hitomi seemed to not remember anything, she felt so lost, unlike the dream that she just had.

Hitomi looked over to the small couch, that would hardly fit her, but there was a man there, staring right back at her.

"Hitomi? Are you okay?"

"Van, I… its sort of cold in here."

"Oh sorry, I'll put in another log and I'll close the windows." Van rose to see to the fire and windows, then sat down again, looking at her.

"Are you sure that your okay?  You look flushed."

"No, I'm okay, I just had a dream. Really, I am fine. Ummm… what are you doing here?  I thought that you might sleep in your own room."

"I can if you want me to." He asked slowly.

"No, please don't.  I feel very safe with you around.  It's just that you look very uncomfortable on the couch."

"It's better than the chair.  It does not matter very much; I am fine.  How does your head feel?"

"I only have a small headache right now, it doesn't even hurt.  It's still really cold in here."

"Hold on, I'll be right back." Van got up and walked over to the main door, and opened it and quietly spoke with the guard that was posted outside her door.  After the door shut, Van came back.

"He should be right back." Van said.  It didn't make very much sense since she didn't know what he was doing.

There was a knock at the door, Van quickly got up and got he door.  He walked back towards Hitomi, carrying something extremely large.

Hitomi saw that it was a beautiful quilt it looked so breathtaking.  He draped it over her other quilts.  The design on it looked as if it was a story.

"Thank you Van.  I already feel warmer." Van stood by her bedside for couple of seconds, then he spoke,

"It was my mother's favorite quilt.  It has been passed down from generation to generation. It tells the story of how the Fanelian's came to be.  It's a really long and interesting story, maybe when we're both not so tired, I'll tell it to you."

"That would be wonderful, Van, and thank you so much."

"Anything you want Hitomi, please just ask."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Well this is Chapter 6! I hope you people like it! Oki Miya. ^_^