Escaflowne: Dreams of Destiny
Previously on Escaflowne: Dreams of Destiny
As Van, Hitomi, and Kirei (hereforth known as our trio unless otherwise specified) meet up with Allen and the Asturian allies, word from Goshem arrives that there will be a war. Asturia begins to build up its military alliances again, as Van begins to doubt that he will really make Hitomi happy, or rather that he can. But Hitomi reassures him that they'll be together forever.
:: Hitomi's Dream ::
"Where... where am I?" Hitomi was again in another place, but unlike her last dream... this didn't look familiar. "Van? Kirei? Where are you?"
She looked around again, and was suddenly presented the vision of another statue - of a jade lion, this time - when the key appeared. She made a grab for it, but then the black guymelef appeared, making the area around her blaze with fire.
"Van!!!"
:: End Dream ::
"Van!" Hitomi woke up with a start, and a strange feeling, knowing that there was someone in the bed beside her. "Van..." Hitomi willed herself to sleep again, knowing that morning would come eventually.
:: Van's Dream ::
(AN: [These don't usually appear, this is JUST for clarification] Van is SEEING what happens to Hitomi in her dream... even though in her dream she didn't see him)
It didn't really alarm Van where he was. He knew he was on Gaea, so he was safe. It was only a few moments into the dream when suddenly he heard... her voice calling out his name.
"Hitomi?" Van's voice was questioning... why would Hitomi be in his dream? "Hitomi?" He looked around for her, wanting to know why she was calling.
Then as quick and sudden as a flash of lightning, Van was THERE with Hitomi, but not THERE. He could see what was happening, but could not help her. He saw the jade lion, the golden key, and then... he saw the black guymelef, THAT black guymelef attack the area where Hitomi was. He screamed her name amid the flames.
"Hitomi!!!"
It was morning, and Van woke up, surprised and glad that Hitomi was beside him. He couldn't help but think of the dream...
"Van?" Hitomi's voice was sleepy, and she sat up to face him, one had reaching up to brush the stray strands of hair off his face. "What's wrong?"
"It is nothing Hitomi... I just had a dream."
"Dreams..." mumured Hitomi, "the key!"
"What?" Van sounded puzzled. Had she had the same dream too?
"I saw a jade lion, and then I saw the key. Van, the golden key will appear soon!" Hitomi's voice was excited, but deep down she knew she couldn't tell Van about the guymelef. She didn't want to worry him.
The Crusade had arrived in Palas early in the morning, and Van, Kirei and Hitomi were waiting entrance to see the King and Queen of Asturia, Dryden and Millerna. As Allen had explained hurriedly, court tradition ordered all royal visitors to Asturia be introduced to their Majesties, and, even with these circumstances, it had to be done. Leaving the trio with the steps, he rushed off to meet with the other military commanders.
Kirei looked at Van, who didn't seem to be nervous, just thinking, and Hitomi, who, after refusing to wear an Asturian dress, had produced what she called 'the Mystic Moon equivalent of a dress' and even Kirei had to admit she looked pretty in it. He remembered laughing at the expression on Van's face when he saw her.
:: Flashback ::
Kirei and Van had been discussing what they were going to do about this new threat - the Goshemin - Kirei still withholding the fact that he knew... he knew one of them. But secrets are made to be kept, and Van, understanding the need for privacy, let it be. If he needed to know, Kirei would tell him.
"Van?" Hitomi's voice drifted into the room as she came in. "And Kirei," she said smiling, while she dipped a curtsy, "what do you think?"
Van's jaw dropped open as he looked at the one he loved. Hitomi had pinned her hair up, letting the curls (one of the Asturian maids sent to serve the trio helped with her hair) fall over her head, and her dress was down to her ankles, a blue-green that matched the colour of her eyes. "Hitomi..." Van murmured.
Kirei grinned at the woman, smiling at the way she made his cousin falter. The dress looked like the Fanelian style, oddly enough, and it did suit her. He chuckled when he heard her say, "I'm still the same girl, Van. Now let's go." Allowing Van to take her arm, and offering one to a still-smiling Kirei, though he refused, they made their way to the entrance of the throneroom.
:: End Flashback ::
In Goshem
The General looked at the bowing Rallin distastefully through the screen. "You mean to tell me," he said slowly, "that you not ONLY failed to obtain the key, but the Fanelian king escaped?"
"Yes sir. There was unforeseen interference from the Fanelian King's cousin-" Rallin stopped, looking at the General. The aura the emanated from the man, even IF he was in Goshem, and Rallin was on a leviship, made Rallin nervous. Since the Great War five years ago, the General had vowed revenge on those whom had destroyed Zaibach - and had refused to give ANYONE his name. Simply known as the General, he emanated destruction.
"I don't want to hear it." The General's eyes were cold, and the look on his face stunned Rallin. He knew who he was!
Before he could stop himself from saying it, his mouth blurted it out. "You-you're General Adelphus."
"Welcome to Asturia, King Van, Lord Kirei, and Lady Hitomi." Dryden's wry voice, sounding, to Hitomi just like 5 years ago, rang out through the room. "We are very sorry for the tragedy that has befallen Fanelia, and until it can be rebuilt, please treat Asturia as your own."
"I thank you, King Dryden." Van's voice was serious, as the ceremony called for, but deep down he was glad that their little group was reunited. Meanwhile, Hitomi, kneeling beside him, was merely looking at Millerna and Dryden. She was shocked when she SWORE Millerna winked at her, just briefly. I'll have to talk to her later, thought Hitomi.
"Van, Kirei." said Dryden, once most of the courtiers had cleared out. "We need to talk."
Hitomi and Millerna were in what she ASSUMED was one of Millerna's chambers, once Dryden, Van, and Kirei had left. They had been silent for a bit, but when Hitomi asked when Millerna had married Dryden, that broke the ice.
"So how have you been, dear friend?" Millerna smiled at Hitomi.
"Alright. On Earth, the Mystic Moon," Hitomi amended, "I'm a doctor. It is sort of like a healer, I suppose. What you did during the war made me think."
"I'm glad." Millerna didn't really feel the need to talk. She was glad that one of her dearest friends was back on Gaea - and also that the friend was with the one she was supposed to be with. Millerna stifled a laugh when she thought how they had both assumed they were in love with Allen - it seemed so long ago!
"Millerna... is there a reason you are so quiet?"
"What?" Millerna was brought out of her memories by Hitomi's gentle voice. "Oh no, Hitomi. Just remembering old times, and being glad that you are back."
"I'm glad I'm back too..." said Hitomi softly, "but I will always miss my best friends on the Mystic Moon."
That reminded Millerna. "Hitomi, if you wouldn't mind, would you TELL me about the Mystic Moon?"
Hitomi looked genuinely surprised. "Of course!" And then she began to explain.
"So we are building the Alliance again?" Van's voice was grim as he, Kirei, Dryden, and Allen discussed the current issue.
Dryden nodded. "It seems we have no choice. Judging from how quickly they destroyed your country, Van, they have as much or more firepower as Zaibach."
"But will the Alliance stay together at the end of all this?" Kirei's voice was weary. He knew that when Zaibach had first been defeated, the Allied countries had turned against each other.
"They will have to," said Allen, "or we will never achieve peace here on Gaea."
"So then which country shall we ask first?"
"Freid," said Dryden carefully, "we know that Chid can be trusted."
"So when shall the Crusade set sail?" Allen looked at his king inquiringly.
"At dawn tomorrow. Hitomi, Van, and Kirei, shall accompany you.
Hitomi leaned against Van sleepily as the Crusade left Asturia. He had explained to her rather quickly that they were going to Freid. And although she was glad to see Chid again (she couldn't help but wonder how mcuh he had grown since she left), it was still very early in the morning and she was tired.
"Van, did we REALLY have to leave this early?" Hitomi asked sleepily as she leaned against the king.
"It is just a precaution, Hitomi. Don't worry." Van's hand went up to stroke her head, and rest it against his shoulder.
"It's not that I'm worrying," Hitomi paused to yawn, "but I'm tired." She looked at Van, blinking sleepily. "Are you allowed to sleep?"
"I-I don't know." Just then Kirei walked up behind them.
"Go to bed, Van. I'm about to sleep, we've all been up for FAR too long, for ANY one, Gaean," he said pointing to himself, "Draconian," Van, "or from the Mystic Moon," a bow to Hitomi. "Your lady looks sleepy, so you may as well."
"Thank you for the bluntness, cousin." Van, looking down at Hitomi, whose eyes were closed, and her breathing even. She had fallen asleep, leaning against him. Van gently lifted Hitomi into his arms, smiling slightly as she shifted so that she was cuddled against him. "Good night, cousin."
Hey Everyone!
I know this chapter seems kind of short. But good news! This is only the like, first, third or so, so I hope you are in for the long haul (I can't seem to write SHORT chapters...) I AM totally bringing Chid back, the little guy is just too cute. Anyway, NO Van and Hitomi are NOT sleeping together (in the totally adult way), and anyway I don't do lemons so if you WERE thinking it, think again.
BRING ON THE ROMANCE! I'm finally getting into it, and don't worry, the war will come back into play fairly soon. Maybe the next episode...
So what do you guys think? More kisses? More Kirei? More Asturia? More War?
Read and Review to tell me!
Angelic1090
03.05.2001
