Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne
A/N okay this chapter is weird or very tension filled but please don't let it discourage you things are not always as they appear to be okay. Just keep reading it's not what you think. And thanks angelwarriar!! Love the email!! ^^ Okay just so I don't get any of those comments. It's just a hug Allen does not like Van, and no Allen and Merle are not in love. Just in case someone asks. I'm not sure if I'm setting Allen up with anyone yet so far he's just being a good friend. Arigatou! Bye bye
Tiny streams of smoke filtered out of the castle windows dissipating in the air. Fanelia marveled in the sunlight as gentle rays of golden light bathed over the houses. One by one people rose and the busy noise of a market filled his ears. There on top of the Fanelian castle slumped a lone figure. His muscles lie still and his hair slowly shook in the wind, he would have been perceived dead if it weren't for the slight twitch coming from his sparkling wings. Clouds bowed to the sunlight and shifted to their sides. The shameful angel had his head buried between his legs. No muscle moved, it was as if his body had lost all will to live. Blood trudged down his veins and his brain was on the verge of shutting down. His heart pumped only due to the slightly persistent blood coming through. His entire body, all of his mind, every part of his heart screamed for him to give up. It was over, everything had gone terribly wrong. He had tried to be a King and failed, failed in keeping one secret hidden and now it would cost him his life and most likely the lives of his friends which he had tried so ferociously to protect.
The wind pounded against the near lifeless form ruffling his angel feathers. Time cried at his sorrow and aided in the process. Feathers resisted with the help but eventually they began falling at a rapid pace. Surely they would grow back, they had after the fire but fate didn't seem to think so. Ever so gently a sickening gray slid up the immaculate feathers. Even as the treasures fluttered onto the earth a dark gray overtook them. It truly was a sad sight to witness, even the trees sighed in defeat. It would end soon and all would be better. The grass begged nature's wonder not to go but he was losing fast. The gray was rushing to a deathly black. Shadow's danced away allowing the sunlight upon the dieing creature in hopes of the sparkle restoring the wonderful feathers. No such luck. Deer turned their young away from the ghastly seen while the lions sat enthralled and disgusted. Their mighty example of courage fading under the suns harsh attempt to stop him from disappearing. The eagles looked on with sorrow knowing he had tried and he had failed, now he would pay the price. As a last encouragement the never ending wind gave him one last shove, yet the still angel ignored the wind. But a horrible sight filled the sky. In one mighty swoop black jewels scattered into the air. Nature took the front seat as one by one the feathers floated to the ground each another token telling of the angel's death. The sun turned unable to watch as the magnificent draconian was dying. The grass cringed under the horrible misfortunes crumbling to dust upon impact.
Creatures of the woods sighed as they were certain this would be the Draconian's last day. Nothing remained except for the frail skeleton that had supported the precious feathers. Sorrowfully the last of his kind raised his head to face nature. Pitiful smiles of sympathy were his only response. Retracting what was left of the once proud wings the angel struggled to stand. The bears scoffed thankful that finally the last of the war stricken race would perish and Gaea could live in peace. Those more forgiving creatures shook their heads in sadness, this Draconian had never wanted war, he didn't even wish to fight. He had been forced upon violence and resisted it even at a young age. It was inevitable though. For trying to avoid it was his downfall. The sun glanced to see how he was fairing and as a tiny pillar of light crept up him the magnificent creature crumbled to his knees. He took what nature saw as his last breath and fell face first on the roof. Gasps erupted from the on looking woodlanders. Silence followed as the rising and falling of his chest continued to slow. Then the sun couldn't take it and removed its spark of light leaving the marvelous man on the roof. The breaths stopped and his persistent blood stopped and his heart gave in. Today the last of his kind had died, for he had been the remaining link. And as the terrifying news continued Fanelia had lost a truly honorable and worthy King who had just mad a mistake, a terrible mistake…Darkness fell over the roof of the castle in mourning and out of the midst of the death came a tiny pink spark, it was only a spark but still it was something…
The horse was on the verge of collapsing, however it gallantly raced through the trees. Branches stung its eyes but the riders urged it on.
"Merle the horse can't take much more"
"What about the trees?" the young cat girl whispered in Allen's ears to avoid their pursuers from listening in.
"I love it when you read my mind" Allen gave one of his carefree smiles wrapped his arm around Merle's waist and both of them pounced off the horse. Allen hung off of Merle's waist as she scattered up the tree to the biggest branch she could see. Heaving Allen on the branch she was almost hyperventilating.
"Man Allen I think you've put on some weight!" Merle earnestly gasped for air.
"No you just got out of shape!" he light heartly countered
"If I wasn't so tired I'd scratch you to death"
Allen just stifled a laugh. His voice stopped completely as three horses thundered under the two. Merle stiffened until they passed. Once they were sure the coast was clear Merle nodded in the direction they had come.
"Good thing we are heading back"
"Come on we have to get to Van before it's too late"
Merle gracefully after restoring her lungs to normal hopped down the branches landing on all fours.
"Yuck I forgot that it had rained! It's all muddy!"
Before Allen could stop himself he was falling to the ground. Merle watched in horror as his boots landed next to her sending the mud flying. Tiny hairs sprung up everywhere as Allen began backing away.
"Now Merle I didn't know… Come on, I'm sorry… Merle?"
Merle was calmly brushing the mud off, she had locked her jaw in place so as not to bite Allen.
"Let's get to Van … Now" the growl was all Allen needed
"I agree!" So quietly they crept off towards Fanelia.
1 hour later……
"Allen it should be here!"
"No no Merle, we are coming in the back way we won't see anything until the castle wall hits us in the face" Allen stated
"That's comforting" Merle grumbled
"See look!" Allen pointed towards the edge of the trees "There on the other side it's the castle wall."
Merle peered through the trees until she saw brick.
"Van-Sama!" Merle was determined to get back to Van and bounded off towards the edge of the trees. Halfway into a dad run Merle skidded to a halt and flew onto her back.
Allen came running up to her side and helped her up.
"Merle what happened?" Allen's ocean blue eyes searched the young cat girl for any injuries, but there were none it was as if she had thrown herself away from the castle.
Upon reaching her eyes Allen gasped. Merle looked scared, almost dead. Her eyes weren't moving but sneaky tears ran over her cheeks.
"Merle what's wrong?!?"
The cat looked horrified as if she had seen a ghost.
"Merle?!"
Slowly her eyes drifted towards Allen.
"Death…" the slow whisper sent a chill down Allen's spine until the impact of the word hit him head on.
"Death?" More tears just spilled out of her eyes. "How do you know?"
"I can …smell it….the feathers…."
"Feathers? Merle what are you talking about?"
Merle just stood there to shocked to move. So gripping her hand Allen walked with Merle to the edge of the trees in silence. Allen brandished his sword and chopped the branches and leaves out of his way. Then he wished he hadn't, he wished with all his soul that he hadn't. A few black feathers rested on the ground, the rest had shattered into ash and the remains lay scattered everywhere. The sun had seemed to turn away from this corner of the castle and as he searched the area coming to the roof he found why. In all the darkness and all the deathlike silence there on the roof laid Van. He wasn't breathing, his body was unrealistically still as the wind ruffled his hair. He wasn't sleeping. Merle crashed to her knees at the sight of her brother.
"Van-Sama?" her shaky voice didn't believe her words.
Allen stared at the body in shock, he wanted to race to Van's side to find him sleeping but his muscles wouldn't allow him. So Merle beat him to it.
"He's just sleeping Allen" Merle gave a weak smile and bounded off once again trailing up the castle wall. She pounced off windowsills and finally sunk her claws into the shingles off the roof. Leaping onto the roof she raced to her brother's side. Her head swirled as she saw the bloody knife resting next to her only relative. Hatred raged through her. The knife wasn't off any Gaean design it was a gecko design and tied to the hilt was a little message.
This is what happens when you betray me….
King Perlis
Merle shifted her uneasy gaze back to Van. Reluctantly Merle shoved Van onto one side, the blood covered every inch of his shirt and had rained down on his pants. The tears wouldn't stop now, for there was no sign of any struggle. Just the one deadly gut wound. This couldn't be happening it wasn't real, Van just wouldn't give up.
"NO!!!!!!!!!!" Merle cried out in agony as she gazed upon the still form of her loving brother. The rumors had been true and Merle hadn't gotten there fast enough.
The world was spinning and her mind wasn't working clearly. Merle stumbled to her feet with the knife in her hands.
"Allen" Merle just got the name out, she tossed the danger into the earth and crumbled to a pile and wept.
Allen rushed to the knife. Immediately he recognized it, 'The geckos' he cursed himself and read the note attached.
"No… Please No" Painfully Allen looked back to the roof to see Merle crying her eyes out nothing but a pile of fur on the roof.
Shamefully he hung his head and tossed the knife into the woods. They had heard about the planned assassination while in the gecko's awful prison. Merle and Allen had agreed to try their escape that night and hopefully prevent the assassination. But they hadn't. Then a thought hit him.
"Merle!! Where's Hitomi!!!?!"
Merle bolted up, if she couldn't save her brother she'd save her dear friend. The news of Hitomi's arrival would have been joyous had she not been in a dark damp smelly cell, still the news was some relief until she remembered the treaty Van had signed. Of course he had no intentions of following it the treaty had been a trick. But the geckos had found out and were planning on killing Hitomi and Van.
"I'll take the 2nd floor!! You get the first!!" Merle rushed past her brother's dead body she would do this for him. She screwed up once she wouldn't do it again.
Flashback….
"Merle I'm sorry I can't go with you but I have to talk to King Perlis some more. It will be too suspicious. Please stop them Merle, this has got to work, if it doesn't" Van ran his hand through his unruly hair, he was agitated with the whole thought of letting Merle do this on her own. "If it doesn't you know what will happen"
"Don't worry bro! I can handle it!"
The scene circled and melted into a dark midnight road. Merle knelt next to a large oak tree. The two gecko messengers were approaching laughing at some perverted joke they had no doubt shared. Merle spat in disgust, they were worse than Zaibach. Perverted and basked in the pleasure of torture and Merle knew if she didn't do this right she would be finding out just out much they enjoyed torture.
It had happened faster than she had expected. She didn't want to kill anyone she never did so she just ran the dagger across one's leg. The first gecko cried out in pain, and dropped of the horse. The second was gone before she could blink, so Merle broke into a run. She had to get that treaty from him if it got to Asturia she didn't know if they would let her explain what Van had planned. If only she had been paying attention instead of worrying she would have seen it coming. But she didn't and when she came two she was surrounded by 5 geckos, her feet and paws had been bound and the cackled carrying her off into the night. She was outside in the forest tied to a tree when they delivered the treaty to Asturia.
End of the flashback
Merle crashed through one of the upper level windows "HITOMI!!!!!"
Allen winced as his shoulder smashed into the castle wall when he attempted a sharp turn at a dead run. He had been too late to get Van he wouldn't let Hitomi down now.
Flashback….
Allen snuck into Van's room at midnight. Van was slouched in a chair next to the fire, but at the sight of his friend he forced a smile.
"I'm just leaving I wanted to let you know I will bring her back"
Van gave an even weaker smile and stood up on his shaky feet.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Van swallowed some imaginary lump
"For my friends I'd be honored" Allen straightened and smiled at Van
Van shifted his gaze to the fire… and there was silence
"Van do it now"
Van turned his eyes back to Allen he looked as if he was fighting an inner battle.
"For Merle and for Gaea do it Van, you are a King and I'm here to help you finish this. Trust me I'll bring her back" Allen had won and Van straightened
"Guards!!!!!!!!!!!!!" his deep voice stirred the castle
His bedchamber door crashed to the floor as 7 guards rushed in.
"Milord!?!" the captain questioned
"John…." Van's voice wavered and Allen saw this, so he charged towards Van and punched him. Van doubled over in pain but the guards seized Allen.
Van shot his head up realizing what Allen was doing, and he got a hold of himself.
'I have to do this' he reminded himself
"Guards! Bind Allen and bring him to the carriage! As a spy and traitor to the Telan Treaty he is to be brought to King Perlis and accused as such there"
Captain John finally saw who the man was that had punched his King and froze. Allen?? This man was one of the King's dearest friends why would he be attacking Lord Van??
"Captain do you have a problem?" Van snapped
"No… Milord just a little stunned"
"Get him out of my sight" Van roared again.
"At once Milord" John bowed and ordered the guards to bring Allen into the hall. Surprisingly Allen just walked as they chained him up and threw him in a carriage bound for Telan.
End of Flashback….
"I didn't bring Merle back in time but I won't let them have Hitomi as well" Allen whispered to himself and burst through the castle front doors.
Hitomi's eyes fluttered open as she took in her surroundings. She remembered seeing Millerna and Chied again. Oh how good it was to see them again. Millerna and Chied were eager to talk but knew Hitomi needed her rest, especially after finding out about the treaty. So Millerna had sent her to the guest room to catch up on some sleep. The sun was rising as she stirred and stood. She was still dressed so she lazily walked out the door. There leaning against the wall stood Cheid. He had definitely grown since the last time she saw him and his blonde hair was still the same. A well- fashioned sword dangled at his waist, Allen had been teaching him how to fight and he was beginning to fight as well as his father.
"Hitomi how are you feeling??" Chied asked with a smile
"Much better" Hitomi plastered on a fake smile
"I'm glad! Come on I get to escort you to breakfast!" Hitomi laughed at the boy's enthusiasm and linked her arm with his as he led her to the breakfast table.
Merle had frantically searched the upper level and the royal wing but still no Hitomi. She had run into Allen a few seconds ago and he sighed in defeat, he had done no better. Now the two were sitting in the middle of the royal wing hall on the verge of tears.
"Do you think…" Merle swallowed "Do you think they took her?"
"I hope not" was Allen's only response
The black disappeared and the pain that flooded his chest intensified as he stood up. Van winced at the sharp knife like pain he felt rushing through his chest. But when he straightened himself and examined his current state he found why. His entire front was soaked in blood.
"What the …." Quickly he ripped off his shirt.
Blood caked his chest, he wanted to puke at the sight but as he looked at himself he noticed that the wound had sealed up and the blood was silently vaporizing into thin air. His eyes grew wide as he watched the blood evaporate from his clothes. And following a faint glow he found Hitomi's necklace no longer a pink but a mix of liquid red and pink. In truth he didn't remember dying a while ago. He regretfully remembered the searing pain as the knife sunk into his flesh but before he had passed out a pink light had surrounded him and he felt the wound close up, then it had gone black. How ironic, Hitomi couldn't stand him but her miraculous necklace had saved him.
Looking around he felt the rather large headache settle in. His blood stained pants were beginning to make him sick so despite his lack of wits he decided to head to his room. Before taking a step though he remembered his feathers. Sucking in some air he pushed the wings from his back, and praise be held there tiny white feathers hung from the skeleton of his wings. They were growing back, and for some reason this caused him to smile.
Twisting in pain he drew the wings back inside his body and shakily headed for his bedroom window. He somehow had a new found strength it was as if the necklace had restored all his lost energy. Full of this new strength he jumped off the roof and grabbed onto his windowsill swinging himself up onto the ledge all in one second.
"Wow" he whispered to himself.
He went to slide his window up when he came face to face with a window sheltered by no glass. Sticking his head through the opening he found shattered pieces of glass scattered on his floor.
"What the heck??….."
He jumped through the opening and landed on his bed. Peeling off his pants he was amazed to find no blood had soaked through onto his skin. Discarding the pants he opened his closet and pulled out his royal outfit. Red velvet pants with black silk lining. A milky white silk shirt with an attached red velvet vest with the Fanelian crest engraved on the left shoulder made up his royal attire. He slipped into the clean clothes. This was going to end, King Perlis would be hearing from him soon. Van scowled and threw on his boots before bursting through his bedroom door Hitomi's powerfully precious necklace dangling against the silk shirt.
Merle and Allen jumped to their feet ready to run. If the guards found them Allen would be killed and Merle too if the geckos were around. Turning to the left they saw a retreating form dressed in Van's royal attire.
Merle shot a glance to Allen and then pounced off towards the figure. Allen had no choice but to follow. Van skidded to a halt when he heard a familiar voice filled with uncertainty.
"Van-Sama?!??!"
Van spun around only to come face to face with Merle and Allen quickly bringing up her rear.
Van's heart leaped, she was safe.
"Merle?"
That was all Merle needed to hear before she crashed head on into her brother.
"Van I saw you! On the roof! There was blood everywhere and you! You were dead!"
Van somehow managed to smile at his sister.
"I woke up and about hurled at the blood but when I looked at my wound it was sealed up. I remember being swallowed in the pink light coming from Hitomi's necklace before blacking out. I suppose it saved me."
"I don't care what it did! You're alive!!!"
Van squeezed Merle and let her cry into his velvet shoulder for a minute.
"Come on Merle we need to get up I have lots to do" Van didn't want to leave but he had to sort things out as soon as possible.
Merle nodded and got off of Van. When he stood up he was only pulled into another hug. Allen was a knight, true, and he probably was showing more emotion than he would have liked but he had thought his dear friend dead. That was enough to send anyone over the edge. Van smiled knowing that Allen cared and hugged him back. Allen released Van.
"Good to know you are alive"
"Same to you friend"
"Well I do try" Allen bowed
"Van I'm sorry we looked" Van turned to Merle to find her fiddling with her nails, she looked nervous "We can't find Hitomi"
Van just sighed, Hitomi.
"Ah yes Hitomi, that would be because she left."
"Where did she go?" Allen demanded
"Ask your sister" Van almost spat in contempt
Allen felt like he had just been punched, Van sounded pissed and somehow his sister was involved. Something was wrong.
"Van what do you mean? Why should I ask Celena?" Allen questioned
Van leaned against the wall and heaved a sigh.
"Hitomi ….Hitomi had a vision and she saw the treaty"
"No!" Merle gasped
Allen just stood there.
"She tried to run away, I chased her trying to get her back to the castle before the geckos got her outside when I found a sword at my throat. Celena made me back down and took Hitomi away under orders of Millerna. She almost slit my throat, everyone thinks I'm a traitor now things have gotten way out of hand."
"Celena tried to kill you?" Merle sounded astonished
"She wanted to but she didn't, she made me tell Hitomi of how I sent you to jail and signed the treaty leaving the other countries to join Telan."
Van bowed his head, 'This wasn't supposed to happen' he thought
"Well we'll just have to tell them the truth." Allen stated
"But then we'll have to go to war with Telan!" Van protested
"Yes Van but it's either Telan or our friends" Allen shot back
"Van-Sama Allen's right, we need to tell them"
"No!" Van yelled "They won't believe me! They are all to full of hatred now to listen!"
There was silence as the three friends contemplated their situation.
"Well," Allen began "I have an idea"
Merle and Van turned to listen.
"Van your guards haven't seen you yet, in fact no one has except for us. Did you throw your bloody clothes in your room?"
"Yes" Van responded
"We can dress you back up and show your counsel and guards. If we can convince them you're dead."
"Then Fanelia would be under my rule" Merle finished
"And we could convince Millerna and the others to fight Telan, once it's over you can come back out and we can explain."
Van twisted his head to Allen then back to Merle.
"It'll work Van-Sama!"
"The geckos left you for dead so if we keep if quiet they will think they succeeded." Allen smiled to himself
"It just might work" Van said
"Merle will stay here and I'll go negotiate with the other countries telling them Merle doesn't like the Telan rule and is on their side."
"Allen you're so smart!!" Merle ran up and gave him a big hug.
Allen just laughed and pushed the cat girl off him and jerked his head to the left.
"Go on Van get changed and lay down on the rug or something. I'll hide because I don't think the guards will believe if I'm here seeing as how last time I was seen here I got hauled away for punching you. Merle you have to sneak outside and come up to the gates. Tell everyone you escaped and that you are tired and want to see Van."
"Then I'll bring them up here and we'll find Van 'dead'"
"That leaves you in charge and you know what to do from there"
"Shred that stupid treaty" Merle growled
Van and Allen smiled as Merle extended her claws.
Merle sauntered up to the castle doors still in her ripped dress. Allen was hidden in her closet and Van was 'dead' up stairs. The guards up to her and she collapsed in their arms.
"Lady Merle!! Lord Van will be so happy to see you!" Captain John said picking up the cat girl "How did you get here?"
"I escaped the Telan prison, please just take me to Van" she faked wince in pain as he carried her inside and upstairs.
"We'll have a healer up right away"
Three guards tailed John as he carried Merle to the Royal Wing. When they finally reached Van's door one of the guards came forward and knocked on the door.
"Lord Van! Lady Merle has returned home!!"
There was an eerie silence.
"Van-Sama!" Merle called out and struggled from John's grip. Careful as not to blow her cover Merle slowly made her way to the door and swung it open only to let out an earth-shattering scream.
"VAN-SAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The guards rushed passed the crying Merle and rushed to Van's side. Luckily in all the panic the guards forgot to check Van's pulse. They saw the blood covered clothing and assumed him dead and ran to comfort Merle. Merle ordered them out and slammed the door shut. Van waited for a couple of seconds and then sat up.
"Van I was thinking how are we going to avoid getting you buried?"
Van hadn't thought about that and was beginning to get worried.
" Well you're going to have to ask to keep me in my room until you have the funeral after the war." Van stated
"Do you think the counsel will go for that?" Merle questioned
"You're a very convincing girl Merle I'm sure you can figure out someway to persuade them" Van laughed to himself not feeling the least bit sorry that his counsel was possibly going to get shred to bits.
"Now that you mention it I'm sure I can" Merle smirked
There was a loud knock at the door and the room went silent. Van slid back down to the floor and when Merle was sure he was settled she answered the door. William was standing outside, he was the head of the counsel.
"Lady Merle I give my deepest apologies we had no idea someone was going to kill Lord Van."
Merle just nodded solemnly.
"May I see him?"
Merle moved out of the doorway for William to see, just seeing the bloody clothes had obviously been enough for William, he quickly bowed to Merle and turned away from the body.
"Lady Merle would you please come with me to the counsel room, we have some matters we would like to discuss with you."
"On one condition."
"Name it lady"
"No one! I repeat no one but me! Is to step in this room!"
"Of course Lady"
"Alright I'll come but only for a little while" Merle conceded.
"Thank you lady"
Merle slouched in her chair acting devastated every time someone mentioned Van. She would glare at them and cry for a little bit and then let the meeting continue. They had discussed trivial matters for a while now and Merle was becoming annoyed.
"Gentlemen please get to the point of this meeting I'd really rather be somewhere else!"
William stood up and glanced at his fellow counsel members for a second and then turned his gaze to Merle.
"Lady Merle you know what should happen in the event of *gulp* the death of Lord Van….."
"I'm to rule Fanelia I know" Merle growled "Is that all gentlemen?"
"Lady we wanted to know what you were going to do about the current problem. The *gulp* situation with the geckos"
"You want to know" Merle settled back in her chair
"Yes Milady"
"Give me the Telan Treaty"
William grabbed the treaty that had been rejected by the other acting countries of the Gaean Peace treaty and passed it down the table to Fanelia's new Queen.
Merle stabbed the treaty with her claw and dragged it towards her.
"I know for a fact that some of you are full of rage right now because a cat woman is now on your throne. However as the Queen of Fanelia I'm going to right some wrongs around here."
Merle frowned at the few twitching counsel members. Then taking the treaty she extended her claws in a flash and shred the treaty.
"Wrong number one righted, this treaty was the death of my brother I don't want to ever hear about it again!"
The counsel members nodded, what else could they do by law Merle was the new Queen of Fanelia.
"Allen Schezar and I escaped from prison, he will be found and when he is I want him brought to me. I don't care what petty problems my brother and Allen had in the past. They were friends for a long time and if Allen will accept he will become Fanelia's new negotiator. I don't want to hear any complaints from you I am in a foul mood as it is!"
"As you wish Queen Merle"
"And one thing further Van-Sama is not to be buried until I say! He will remain in his room untouched.."
"But Queen Merle!" started one of the counsel men
"He will remain there until the geckos are defeated! Then he can rest in peace knowing that the evil was beaten back is that understood!" Merle flexed her claws and the counsel agreed.
"Good I'll be taking my leave now, and if I find that one of you have enter his lords chambers I'll rip you apart myself! Now go find Allen he should still be in the forests!"
The counsel rushed off to do her bidding and the news of Van's death swept through Fanelia.
Allen slowly walked around the edge of the forest waiting for the guards to come and find him. He sat down after walking for a while and waited for them to find him.
2 hours later….
Allen was escorted into the throne room where Merle was slouched in Van's throne.
"Merle" Allen bowed
"Stand up Allen, I'm here to ask you to become Fanelia's negotiator. Van got Fanelia into a fix and I need your help to clean it up." Merle's monotone voice almost scared Allen
"Of course I'll help you, where is Van I need to apologize about that punching thing"
Merle let a tear fall down her face to convince the guards.
"Allen I'm afraid Van was found dead this morning"
Allen let his eyes widen and stumbled a little.
"What did you say Merle?"
"Van is dead"
There was an awkward silence as Allen stumbled to a chair to sit down.
"Guards show Allen to his room he sets out for Asturia tomorrow"
Allen bowed to Merle who gave him a quick smile, Allen smiled back and was then escorted from the room.
Allen sat on his horse keeping to himself to convince the guards of his true sorrow about Van's death. 5 guards accompanied him to Asturia, they had set out that morning and the sun was beginning to set. They would arrive at Asturia sometime that night. Allen was anxious to get back to Asturia and see everyone. So he quickened his pace and sped to the front of the group.
"Come on we have to hurry if we want to get there by midnight"
With that Allen raced off through the forests.
5 hours later…..
Allen and his tired group walked into the Asturian palace. Everyone glared upon seeing the Fanelian guards but the guards walked tall and proud. Allen was immediately taken to the throne room. There, he waited for everyone to wake up and arrive. Millerna and Dryden welcomed Allen and hugged him glad to see their knight had survived the prison. Celena and Cheid came in next, Cheid was practically sleep walking until he saw his friend and rushed to hug him. Allen was tackled by Celena and Cheid both happy that he had made it through the tortures of the Telan prison.
Celena was crying quietly and refused to let go of Allen until Hitomi walked in. She was half awake and had no idea why the guards had escorted her to the guest room. Then she looked up and saw Allen. Her eyes widened.
"You're still alive!!" she declared
"Of course I am" he smiled
Hitomi ran up to him and hugged him.
'At least he hasn't betrayed me' she thought
Allen hugged Hitomi back for a minute but reluctantly pushed her away. He looked down at her and backed away. Moving back to the head of the group of guards Hitomi recognized the Fanelian crest and glared at Allen, maybe he had betrayed her.
"Allen why are you with Fanelian guards?" Hitomi asked hurt
"I was just about to ask the same thing?" Dryden was holding his wife and glaring at the group in front of him.
"King Dryden, Queen Millerna," Allen bowed "I'm afraid that even in Fanelia's times of trouble I couldn't stay away from my friends. What you did not know was that when Van sent me to jail it was because I asked him to do so."
"What!?!" Celena screamed
Hitomi felt her gut turned, she had a feeling she wasn't going to like hearing what Allen had to say.
"Merle had been sent on a secret aron to kill King Perlis's guards and retrieve the treaty. Van signed it only because he wished to draw the King to Fanelia where he would throw him in the dungeon. It was supposed to be a secret to keep all of you out of harm's way."
Millerna's face was getting paler by the moment and the rest of the room didn't look so pink either.
"Merle failed and was captured, Van didn't want to blow his cover so he called for me. I went to Fanelia but had to come in a back way for Asturia was an enemy by now. He asked for my help so I volunteered to go to the prison and save Merle. The only way I could do that was to have him send me there under some sort of charges. So I attacked him when the guards came and they hauled me away to the prison."
Celena had bowed her head in shame by now and Cheid had fallen to the ground in shock. Hitomi was as white as a ghost. 'no….'
"Obviously thins did not turn out the way Van had planned, no one believed him and he couldn't do anything until I came back. I returned the other day with Merle and I am here to renegotiate Fanelia's allied status with you."
By now Millerna was shaking and Celena was crying. Cheid had grabbed Hitomi and the two were sitting on the floor.
"Why should we believe you?" Dryden tempted
"Dryden!!" Millerna scolded
"I feared you were going to ask that, so I'm afraid I have more bad news."
"No, Allen no more please we believe you" Millerna pleaded
Allen straightened himself and continued.
"I'm here on behalf of Fanelia's new Queen, Merle."
"What?" Dryden asked
"Van Slaznar De Fanel was found" Allen stopped and turned to face Hitomi " Van was found dead this morning." Hitomi's eyes widened in horror.
"What?" she whispered not believing Allen
"He was killed by a gecko assisan, they found out about his plan before we could reach him. Merle is by law the next ruler, she asked me to help her in renegotiating treaties yesterday after shredding the Telan treaty."
There was complete silence as everyone let the idea of Van being dead sink in.
"Allen…d-did you j-just say V-Van …V-van is dead?" Millerna stuttered
"Yes Millerna, Van was stabbed in the gut and died of internal bleeding before anyone could find him"
Flashes of Van bleeding all over his room filled Hitomi's head and she began to feel faint.
"No…" She whispered, slowly Hitomi rose and started backing out of throne room.
Millerna was crying in Dryden's chest and Dryden was trying to desperately comfort his wife although he himself felt a few tears slide down his cheek. Celena had wrapped herself around Allen was crying into her brother's chest. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry"
"I know Celena it's okay" Allen soothed
Cheid had finally stood up and was hugging his Aunt, who had pulled him into a hug now. Hitomi felt a wall hit her back and turned to see the doors. Her vision was spinning again.
"Van didn't betray me……he was telling the truth…..and he's dead…..I shouldn't have left him. I SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT HIM!! NO!!!! VAN!!!!!!!!!"
Her vision blacked out and Hitomi remembered her friends tear stained faces turning to her. The last sound she heard was Allen's voice.
"Hitomi!"
A/N okay this chapter is weird or very tension filled but please don't let it discourage you things are not always as they appear to be okay. Just keep reading it's not what you think. And thanks angelwarriar!! Love the email!! ^^ Okay just so I don't get any of those comments. It's just a hug Allen does not like Van, and no Allen and Merle are not in love. Just in case someone asks. I'm not sure if I'm setting Allen up with anyone yet so far he's just being a good friend. Arigatou! Bye bye
Tiny streams of smoke filtered out of the castle windows dissipating in the air. Fanelia marveled in the sunlight as gentle rays of golden light bathed over the houses. One by one people rose and the busy noise of a market filled his ears. There on top of the Fanelian castle slumped a lone figure. His muscles lie still and his hair slowly shook in the wind, he would have been perceived dead if it weren't for the slight twitch coming from his sparkling wings. Clouds bowed to the sunlight and shifted to their sides. The shameful angel had his head buried between his legs. No muscle moved, it was as if his body had lost all will to live. Blood trudged down his veins and his brain was on the verge of shutting down. His heart pumped only due to the slightly persistent blood coming through. His entire body, all of his mind, every part of his heart screamed for him to give up. It was over, everything had gone terribly wrong. He had tried to be a King and failed, failed in keeping one secret hidden and now it would cost him his life and most likely the lives of his friends which he had tried so ferociously to protect.
The wind pounded against the near lifeless form ruffling his angel feathers. Time cried at his sorrow and aided in the process. Feathers resisted with the help but eventually they began falling at a rapid pace. Surely they would grow back, they had after the fire but fate didn't seem to think so. Ever so gently a sickening gray slid up the immaculate feathers. Even as the treasures fluttered onto the earth a dark gray overtook them. It truly was a sad sight to witness, even the trees sighed in defeat. It would end soon and all would be better. The grass begged nature's wonder not to go but he was losing fast. The gray was rushing to a deathly black. Shadow's danced away allowing the sunlight upon the dieing creature in hopes of the sparkle restoring the wonderful feathers. No such luck. Deer turned their young away from the ghastly seen while the lions sat enthralled and disgusted. Their mighty example of courage fading under the suns harsh attempt to stop him from disappearing. The eagles looked on with sorrow knowing he had tried and he had failed, now he would pay the price. As a last encouragement the never ending wind gave him one last shove, yet the still angel ignored the wind. But a horrible sight filled the sky. In one mighty swoop black jewels scattered into the air. Nature took the front seat as one by one the feathers floated to the ground each another token telling of the angel's death. The sun turned unable to watch as the magnificent draconian was dying. The grass cringed under the horrible misfortunes crumbling to dust upon impact.
Creatures of the woods sighed as they were certain this would be the Draconian's last day. Nothing remained except for the frail skeleton that had supported the precious feathers. Sorrowfully the last of his kind raised his head to face nature. Pitiful smiles of sympathy were his only response. Retracting what was left of the once proud wings the angel struggled to stand. The bears scoffed thankful that finally the last of the war stricken race would perish and Gaea could live in peace. Those more forgiving creatures shook their heads in sadness, this Draconian had never wanted war, he didn't even wish to fight. He had been forced upon violence and resisted it even at a young age. It was inevitable though. For trying to avoid it was his downfall. The sun glanced to see how he was fairing and as a tiny pillar of light crept up him the magnificent creature crumbled to his knees. He took what nature saw as his last breath and fell face first on the roof. Gasps erupted from the on looking woodlanders. Silence followed as the rising and falling of his chest continued to slow. Then the sun couldn't take it and removed its spark of light leaving the marvelous man on the roof. The breaths stopped and his persistent blood stopped and his heart gave in. Today the last of his kind had died, for he had been the remaining link. And as the terrifying news continued Fanelia had lost a truly honorable and worthy King who had just mad a mistake, a terrible mistake…Darkness fell over the roof of the castle in mourning and out of the midst of the death came a tiny pink spark, it was only a spark but still it was something…
The horse was on the verge of collapsing, however it gallantly raced through the trees. Branches stung its eyes but the riders urged it on.
"Merle the horse can't take much more"
"What about the trees?" the young cat girl whispered in Allen's ears to avoid their pursuers from listening in.
"I love it when you read my mind" Allen gave one of his carefree smiles wrapped his arm around Merle's waist and both of them pounced off the horse. Allen hung off of Merle's waist as she scattered up the tree to the biggest branch she could see. Heaving Allen on the branch she was almost hyperventilating.
"Man Allen I think you've put on some weight!" Merle earnestly gasped for air.
"No you just got out of shape!" he light heartly countered
"If I wasn't so tired I'd scratch you to death"
Allen just stifled a laugh. His voice stopped completely as three horses thundered under the two. Merle stiffened until they passed. Once they were sure the coast was clear Merle nodded in the direction they had come.
"Good thing we are heading back"
"Come on we have to get to Van before it's too late"
Merle gracefully after restoring her lungs to normal hopped down the branches landing on all fours.
"Yuck I forgot that it had rained! It's all muddy!"
Before Allen could stop himself he was falling to the ground. Merle watched in horror as his boots landed next to her sending the mud flying. Tiny hairs sprung up everywhere as Allen began backing away.
"Now Merle I didn't know… Come on, I'm sorry… Merle?"
Merle was calmly brushing the mud off, she had locked her jaw in place so as not to bite Allen.
"Let's get to Van … Now" the growl was all Allen needed
"I agree!" So quietly they crept off towards Fanelia.
1 hour later……
"Allen it should be here!"
"No no Merle, we are coming in the back way we won't see anything until the castle wall hits us in the face" Allen stated
"That's comforting" Merle grumbled
"See look!" Allen pointed towards the edge of the trees "There on the other side it's the castle wall."
Merle peered through the trees until she saw brick.
"Van-Sama!" Merle was determined to get back to Van and bounded off towards the edge of the trees. Halfway into a dad run Merle skidded to a halt and flew onto her back.
Allen came running up to her side and helped her up.
"Merle what happened?" Allen's ocean blue eyes searched the young cat girl for any injuries, but there were none it was as if she had thrown herself away from the castle.
Upon reaching her eyes Allen gasped. Merle looked scared, almost dead. Her eyes weren't moving but sneaky tears ran over her cheeks.
"Merle what's wrong?!?"
The cat looked horrified as if she had seen a ghost.
"Merle?!"
Slowly her eyes drifted towards Allen.
"Death…" the slow whisper sent a chill down Allen's spine until the impact of the word hit him head on.
"Death?" More tears just spilled out of her eyes. "How do you know?"
"I can …smell it….the feathers…."
"Feathers? Merle what are you talking about?"
Merle just stood there to shocked to move. So gripping her hand Allen walked with Merle to the edge of the trees in silence. Allen brandished his sword and chopped the branches and leaves out of his way. Then he wished he hadn't, he wished with all his soul that he hadn't. A few black feathers rested on the ground, the rest had shattered into ash and the remains lay scattered everywhere. The sun had seemed to turn away from this corner of the castle and as he searched the area coming to the roof he found why. In all the darkness and all the deathlike silence there on the roof laid Van. He wasn't breathing, his body was unrealistically still as the wind ruffled his hair. He wasn't sleeping. Merle crashed to her knees at the sight of her brother.
"Van-Sama?" her shaky voice didn't believe her words.
Allen stared at the body in shock, he wanted to race to Van's side to find him sleeping but his muscles wouldn't allow him. So Merle beat him to it.
"He's just sleeping Allen" Merle gave a weak smile and bounded off once again trailing up the castle wall. She pounced off windowsills and finally sunk her claws into the shingles off the roof. Leaping onto the roof she raced to her brother's side. Her head swirled as she saw the bloody knife resting next to her only relative. Hatred raged through her. The knife wasn't off any Gaean design it was a gecko design and tied to the hilt was a little message.
This is what happens when you betray me….
King Perlis
Merle shifted her uneasy gaze back to Van. Reluctantly Merle shoved Van onto one side, the blood covered every inch of his shirt and had rained down on his pants. The tears wouldn't stop now, for there was no sign of any struggle. Just the one deadly gut wound. This couldn't be happening it wasn't real, Van just wouldn't give up.
"NO!!!!!!!!!!" Merle cried out in agony as she gazed upon the still form of her loving brother. The rumors had been true and Merle hadn't gotten there fast enough.
The world was spinning and her mind wasn't working clearly. Merle stumbled to her feet with the knife in her hands.
"Allen" Merle just got the name out, she tossed the danger into the earth and crumbled to a pile and wept.
Allen rushed to the knife. Immediately he recognized it, 'The geckos' he cursed himself and read the note attached.
"No… Please No" Painfully Allen looked back to the roof to see Merle crying her eyes out nothing but a pile of fur on the roof.
Shamefully he hung his head and tossed the knife into the woods. They had heard about the planned assassination while in the gecko's awful prison. Merle and Allen had agreed to try their escape that night and hopefully prevent the assassination. But they hadn't. Then a thought hit him.
"Merle!! Where's Hitomi!!!?!"
Merle bolted up, if she couldn't save her brother she'd save her dear friend. The news of Hitomi's arrival would have been joyous had she not been in a dark damp smelly cell, still the news was some relief until she remembered the treaty Van had signed. Of course he had no intentions of following it the treaty had been a trick. But the geckos had found out and were planning on killing Hitomi and Van.
"I'll take the 2nd floor!! You get the first!!" Merle rushed past her brother's dead body she would do this for him. She screwed up once she wouldn't do it again.
Flashback….
"Merle I'm sorry I can't go with you but I have to talk to King Perlis some more. It will be too suspicious. Please stop them Merle, this has got to work, if it doesn't" Van ran his hand through his unruly hair, he was agitated with the whole thought of letting Merle do this on her own. "If it doesn't you know what will happen"
"Don't worry bro! I can handle it!"
The scene circled and melted into a dark midnight road. Merle knelt next to a large oak tree. The two gecko messengers were approaching laughing at some perverted joke they had no doubt shared. Merle spat in disgust, they were worse than Zaibach. Perverted and basked in the pleasure of torture and Merle knew if she didn't do this right she would be finding out just out much they enjoyed torture.
It had happened faster than she had expected. She didn't want to kill anyone she never did so she just ran the dagger across one's leg. The first gecko cried out in pain, and dropped of the horse. The second was gone before she could blink, so Merle broke into a run. She had to get that treaty from him if it got to Asturia she didn't know if they would let her explain what Van had planned. If only she had been paying attention instead of worrying she would have seen it coming. But she didn't and when she came two she was surrounded by 5 geckos, her feet and paws had been bound and the cackled carrying her off into the night. She was outside in the forest tied to a tree when they delivered the treaty to Asturia.
End of the flashback
Merle crashed through one of the upper level windows "HITOMI!!!!!"
Allen winced as his shoulder smashed into the castle wall when he attempted a sharp turn at a dead run. He had been too late to get Van he wouldn't let Hitomi down now.
Flashback….
Allen snuck into Van's room at midnight. Van was slouched in a chair next to the fire, but at the sight of his friend he forced a smile.
"I'm just leaving I wanted to let you know I will bring her back"
Van gave an even weaker smile and stood up on his shaky feet.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Van swallowed some imaginary lump
"For my friends I'd be honored" Allen straightened and smiled at Van
Van shifted his gaze to the fire… and there was silence
"Van do it now"
Van turned his eyes back to Allen he looked as if he was fighting an inner battle.
"For Merle and for Gaea do it Van, you are a King and I'm here to help you finish this. Trust me I'll bring her back" Allen had won and Van straightened
"Guards!!!!!!!!!!!!!" his deep voice stirred the castle
His bedchamber door crashed to the floor as 7 guards rushed in.
"Milord!?!" the captain questioned
"John…." Van's voice wavered and Allen saw this, so he charged towards Van and punched him. Van doubled over in pain but the guards seized Allen.
Van shot his head up realizing what Allen was doing, and he got a hold of himself.
'I have to do this' he reminded himself
"Guards! Bind Allen and bring him to the carriage! As a spy and traitor to the Telan Treaty he is to be brought to King Perlis and accused as such there"
Captain John finally saw who the man was that had punched his King and froze. Allen?? This man was one of the King's dearest friends why would he be attacking Lord Van??
"Captain do you have a problem?" Van snapped
"No… Milord just a little stunned"
"Get him out of my sight" Van roared again.
"At once Milord" John bowed and ordered the guards to bring Allen into the hall. Surprisingly Allen just walked as they chained him up and threw him in a carriage bound for Telan.
End of Flashback….
"I didn't bring Merle back in time but I won't let them have Hitomi as well" Allen whispered to himself and burst through the castle front doors.
Hitomi's eyes fluttered open as she took in her surroundings. She remembered seeing Millerna and Chied again. Oh how good it was to see them again. Millerna and Chied were eager to talk but knew Hitomi needed her rest, especially after finding out about the treaty. So Millerna had sent her to the guest room to catch up on some sleep. The sun was rising as she stirred and stood. She was still dressed so she lazily walked out the door. There leaning against the wall stood Cheid. He had definitely grown since the last time she saw him and his blonde hair was still the same. A well- fashioned sword dangled at his waist, Allen had been teaching him how to fight and he was beginning to fight as well as his father.
"Hitomi how are you feeling??" Chied asked with a smile
"Much better" Hitomi plastered on a fake smile
"I'm glad! Come on I get to escort you to breakfast!" Hitomi laughed at the boy's enthusiasm and linked her arm with his as he led her to the breakfast table.
Merle had frantically searched the upper level and the royal wing but still no Hitomi. She had run into Allen a few seconds ago and he sighed in defeat, he had done no better. Now the two were sitting in the middle of the royal wing hall on the verge of tears.
"Do you think…" Merle swallowed "Do you think they took her?"
"I hope not" was Allen's only response
The black disappeared and the pain that flooded his chest intensified as he stood up. Van winced at the sharp knife like pain he felt rushing through his chest. But when he straightened himself and examined his current state he found why. His entire front was soaked in blood.
"What the …." Quickly he ripped off his shirt.
Blood caked his chest, he wanted to puke at the sight but as he looked at himself he noticed that the wound had sealed up and the blood was silently vaporizing into thin air. His eyes grew wide as he watched the blood evaporate from his clothes. And following a faint glow he found Hitomi's necklace no longer a pink but a mix of liquid red and pink. In truth he didn't remember dying a while ago. He regretfully remembered the searing pain as the knife sunk into his flesh but before he had passed out a pink light had surrounded him and he felt the wound close up, then it had gone black. How ironic, Hitomi couldn't stand him but her miraculous necklace had saved him.
Looking around he felt the rather large headache settle in. His blood stained pants were beginning to make him sick so despite his lack of wits he decided to head to his room. Before taking a step though he remembered his feathers. Sucking in some air he pushed the wings from his back, and praise be held there tiny white feathers hung from the skeleton of his wings. They were growing back, and for some reason this caused him to smile.
Twisting in pain he drew the wings back inside his body and shakily headed for his bedroom window. He somehow had a new found strength it was as if the necklace had restored all his lost energy. Full of this new strength he jumped off the roof and grabbed onto his windowsill swinging himself up onto the ledge all in one second.
"Wow" he whispered to himself.
He went to slide his window up when he came face to face with a window sheltered by no glass. Sticking his head through the opening he found shattered pieces of glass scattered on his floor.
"What the heck??….."
He jumped through the opening and landed on his bed. Peeling off his pants he was amazed to find no blood had soaked through onto his skin. Discarding the pants he opened his closet and pulled out his royal outfit. Red velvet pants with black silk lining. A milky white silk shirt with an attached red velvet vest with the Fanelian crest engraved on the left shoulder made up his royal attire. He slipped into the clean clothes. This was going to end, King Perlis would be hearing from him soon. Van scowled and threw on his boots before bursting through his bedroom door Hitomi's powerfully precious necklace dangling against the silk shirt.
Merle and Allen jumped to their feet ready to run. If the guards found them Allen would be killed and Merle too if the geckos were around. Turning to the left they saw a retreating form dressed in Van's royal attire.
Merle shot a glance to Allen and then pounced off towards the figure. Allen had no choice but to follow. Van skidded to a halt when he heard a familiar voice filled with uncertainty.
"Van-Sama?!??!"
Van spun around only to come face to face with Merle and Allen quickly bringing up her rear.
Van's heart leaped, she was safe.
"Merle?"
That was all Merle needed to hear before she crashed head on into her brother.
"Van I saw you! On the roof! There was blood everywhere and you! You were dead!"
Van somehow managed to smile at his sister.
"I woke up and about hurled at the blood but when I looked at my wound it was sealed up. I remember being swallowed in the pink light coming from Hitomi's necklace before blacking out. I suppose it saved me."
"I don't care what it did! You're alive!!!"
Van squeezed Merle and let her cry into his velvet shoulder for a minute.
"Come on Merle we need to get up I have lots to do" Van didn't want to leave but he had to sort things out as soon as possible.
Merle nodded and got off of Van. When he stood up he was only pulled into another hug. Allen was a knight, true, and he probably was showing more emotion than he would have liked but he had thought his dear friend dead. That was enough to send anyone over the edge. Van smiled knowing that Allen cared and hugged him back. Allen released Van.
"Good to know you are alive"
"Same to you friend"
"Well I do try" Allen bowed
"Van I'm sorry we looked" Van turned to Merle to find her fiddling with her nails, she looked nervous "We can't find Hitomi"
Van just sighed, Hitomi.
"Ah yes Hitomi, that would be because she left."
"Where did she go?" Allen demanded
"Ask your sister" Van almost spat in contempt
Allen felt like he had just been punched, Van sounded pissed and somehow his sister was involved. Something was wrong.
"Van what do you mean? Why should I ask Celena?" Allen questioned
Van leaned against the wall and heaved a sigh.
"Hitomi ….Hitomi had a vision and she saw the treaty"
"No!" Merle gasped
Allen just stood there.
"She tried to run away, I chased her trying to get her back to the castle before the geckos got her outside when I found a sword at my throat. Celena made me back down and took Hitomi away under orders of Millerna. She almost slit my throat, everyone thinks I'm a traitor now things have gotten way out of hand."
"Celena tried to kill you?" Merle sounded astonished
"She wanted to but she didn't, she made me tell Hitomi of how I sent you to jail and signed the treaty leaving the other countries to join Telan."
Van bowed his head, 'This wasn't supposed to happen' he thought
"Well we'll just have to tell them the truth." Allen stated
"But then we'll have to go to war with Telan!" Van protested
"Yes Van but it's either Telan or our friends" Allen shot back
"Van-Sama Allen's right, we need to tell them"
"No!" Van yelled "They won't believe me! They are all to full of hatred now to listen!"
There was silence as the three friends contemplated their situation.
"Well," Allen began "I have an idea"
Merle and Van turned to listen.
"Van your guards haven't seen you yet, in fact no one has except for us. Did you throw your bloody clothes in your room?"
"Yes" Van responded
"We can dress you back up and show your counsel and guards. If we can convince them you're dead."
"Then Fanelia would be under my rule" Merle finished
"And we could convince Millerna and the others to fight Telan, once it's over you can come back out and we can explain."
Van twisted his head to Allen then back to Merle.
"It'll work Van-Sama!"
"The geckos left you for dead so if we keep if quiet they will think they succeeded." Allen smiled to himself
"It just might work" Van said
"Merle will stay here and I'll go negotiate with the other countries telling them Merle doesn't like the Telan rule and is on their side."
"Allen you're so smart!!" Merle ran up and gave him a big hug.
Allen just laughed and pushed the cat girl off him and jerked his head to the left.
"Go on Van get changed and lay down on the rug or something. I'll hide because I don't think the guards will believe if I'm here seeing as how last time I was seen here I got hauled away for punching you. Merle you have to sneak outside and come up to the gates. Tell everyone you escaped and that you are tired and want to see Van."
"Then I'll bring them up here and we'll find Van 'dead'"
"That leaves you in charge and you know what to do from there"
"Shred that stupid treaty" Merle growled
Van and Allen smiled as Merle extended her claws.
Merle sauntered up to the castle doors still in her ripped dress. Allen was hidden in her closet and Van was 'dead' up stairs. The guards up to her and she collapsed in their arms.
"Lady Merle!! Lord Van will be so happy to see you!" Captain John said picking up the cat girl "How did you get here?"
"I escaped the Telan prison, please just take me to Van" she faked wince in pain as he carried her inside and upstairs.
"We'll have a healer up right away"
Three guards tailed John as he carried Merle to the Royal Wing. When they finally reached Van's door one of the guards came forward and knocked on the door.
"Lord Van! Lady Merle has returned home!!"
There was an eerie silence.
"Van-Sama!" Merle called out and struggled from John's grip. Careful as not to blow her cover Merle slowly made her way to the door and swung it open only to let out an earth-shattering scream.
"VAN-SAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The guards rushed passed the crying Merle and rushed to Van's side. Luckily in all the panic the guards forgot to check Van's pulse. They saw the blood covered clothing and assumed him dead and ran to comfort Merle. Merle ordered them out and slammed the door shut. Van waited for a couple of seconds and then sat up.
"Van I was thinking how are we going to avoid getting you buried?"
Van hadn't thought about that and was beginning to get worried.
" Well you're going to have to ask to keep me in my room until you have the funeral after the war." Van stated
"Do you think the counsel will go for that?" Merle questioned
"You're a very convincing girl Merle I'm sure you can figure out someway to persuade them" Van laughed to himself not feeling the least bit sorry that his counsel was possibly going to get shred to bits.
"Now that you mention it I'm sure I can" Merle smirked
There was a loud knock at the door and the room went silent. Van slid back down to the floor and when Merle was sure he was settled she answered the door. William was standing outside, he was the head of the counsel.
"Lady Merle I give my deepest apologies we had no idea someone was going to kill Lord Van."
Merle just nodded solemnly.
"May I see him?"
Merle moved out of the doorway for William to see, just seeing the bloody clothes had obviously been enough for William, he quickly bowed to Merle and turned away from the body.
"Lady Merle would you please come with me to the counsel room, we have some matters we would like to discuss with you."
"On one condition."
"Name it lady"
"No one! I repeat no one but me! Is to step in this room!"
"Of course Lady"
"Alright I'll come but only for a little while" Merle conceded.
"Thank you lady"
Merle slouched in her chair acting devastated every time someone mentioned Van. She would glare at them and cry for a little bit and then let the meeting continue. They had discussed trivial matters for a while now and Merle was becoming annoyed.
"Gentlemen please get to the point of this meeting I'd really rather be somewhere else!"
William stood up and glanced at his fellow counsel members for a second and then turned his gaze to Merle.
"Lady Merle you know what should happen in the event of *gulp* the death of Lord Van….."
"I'm to rule Fanelia I know" Merle growled "Is that all gentlemen?"
"Lady we wanted to know what you were going to do about the current problem. The *gulp* situation with the geckos"
"You want to know" Merle settled back in her chair
"Yes Milady"
"Give me the Telan Treaty"
William grabbed the treaty that had been rejected by the other acting countries of the Gaean Peace treaty and passed it down the table to Fanelia's new Queen.
Merle stabbed the treaty with her claw and dragged it towards her.
"I know for a fact that some of you are full of rage right now because a cat woman is now on your throne. However as the Queen of Fanelia I'm going to right some wrongs around here."
Merle frowned at the few twitching counsel members. Then taking the treaty she extended her claws in a flash and shred the treaty.
"Wrong number one righted, this treaty was the death of my brother I don't want to ever hear about it again!"
The counsel members nodded, what else could they do by law Merle was the new Queen of Fanelia.
"Allen Schezar and I escaped from prison, he will be found and when he is I want him brought to me. I don't care what petty problems my brother and Allen had in the past. They were friends for a long time and if Allen will accept he will become Fanelia's new negotiator. I don't want to hear any complaints from you I am in a foul mood as it is!"
"As you wish Queen Merle"
"And one thing further Van-Sama is not to be buried until I say! He will remain in his room untouched.."
"But Queen Merle!" started one of the counsel men
"He will remain there until the geckos are defeated! Then he can rest in peace knowing that the evil was beaten back is that understood!" Merle flexed her claws and the counsel agreed.
"Good I'll be taking my leave now, and if I find that one of you have enter his lords chambers I'll rip you apart myself! Now go find Allen he should still be in the forests!"
The counsel rushed off to do her bidding and the news of Van's death swept through Fanelia.
Allen slowly walked around the edge of the forest waiting for the guards to come and find him. He sat down after walking for a while and waited for them to find him.
2 hours later….
Allen was escorted into the throne room where Merle was slouched in Van's throne.
"Merle" Allen bowed
"Stand up Allen, I'm here to ask you to become Fanelia's negotiator. Van got Fanelia into a fix and I need your help to clean it up." Merle's monotone voice almost scared Allen
"Of course I'll help you, where is Van I need to apologize about that punching thing"
Merle let a tear fall down her face to convince the guards.
"Allen I'm afraid Van was found dead this morning"
Allen let his eyes widen and stumbled a little.
"What did you say Merle?"
"Van is dead"
There was an awkward silence as Allen stumbled to a chair to sit down.
"Guards show Allen to his room he sets out for Asturia tomorrow"
Allen bowed to Merle who gave him a quick smile, Allen smiled back and was then escorted from the room.
Allen sat on his horse keeping to himself to convince the guards of his true sorrow about Van's death. 5 guards accompanied him to Asturia, they had set out that morning and the sun was beginning to set. They would arrive at Asturia sometime that night. Allen was anxious to get back to Asturia and see everyone. So he quickened his pace and sped to the front of the group.
"Come on we have to hurry if we want to get there by midnight"
With that Allen raced off through the forests.
5 hours later…..
Allen and his tired group walked into the Asturian palace. Everyone glared upon seeing the Fanelian guards but the guards walked tall and proud. Allen was immediately taken to the throne room. There, he waited for everyone to wake up and arrive. Millerna and Dryden welcomed Allen and hugged him glad to see their knight had survived the prison. Celena and Cheid came in next, Cheid was practically sleep walking until he saw his friend and rushed to hug him. Allen was tackled by Celena and Cheid both happy that he had made it through the tortures of the Telan prison.
Celena was crying quietly and refused to let go of Allen until Hitomi walked in. She was half awake and had no idea why the guards had escorted her to the guest room. Then she looked up and saw Allen. Her eyes widened.
"You're still alive!!" she declared
"Of course I am" he smiled
Hitomi ran up to him and hugged him.
'At least he hasn't betrayed me' she thought
Allen hugged Hitomi back for a minute but reluctantly pushed her away. He looked down at her and backed away. Moving back to the head of the group of guards Hitomi recognized the Fanelian crest and glared at Allen, maybe he had betrayed her.
"Allen why are you with Fanelian guards?" Hitomi asked hurt
"I was just about to ask the same thing?" Dryden was holding his wife and glaring at the group in front of him.
"King Dryden, Queen Millerna," Allen bowed "I'm afraid that even in Fanelia's times of trouble I couldn't stay away from my friends. What you did not know was that when Van sent me to jail it was because I asked him to do so."
"What!?!" Celena screamed
Hitomi felt her gut turned, she had a feeling she wasn't going to like hearing what Allen had to say.
"Merle had been sent on a secret aron to kill King Perlis's guards and retrieve the treaty. Van signed it only because he wished to draw the King to Fanelia where he would throw him in the dungeon. It was supposed to be a secret to keep all of you out of harm's way."
Millerna's face was getting paler by the moment and the rest of the room didn't look so pink either.
"Merle failed and was captured, Van didn't want to blow his cover so he called for me. I went to Fanelia but had to come in a back way for Asturia was an enemy by now. He asked for my help so I volunteered to go to the prison and save Merle. The only way I could do that was to have him send me there under some sort of charges. So I attacked him when the guards came and they hauled me away to the prison."
Celena had bowed her head in shame by now and Cheid had fallen to the ground in shock. Hitomi was as white as a ghost. 'no….'
"Obviously thins did not turn out the way Van had planned, no one believed him and he couldn't do anything until I came back. I returned the other day with Merle and I am here to renegotiate Fanelia's allied status with you."
By now Millerna was shaking and Celena was crying. Cheid had grabbed Hitomi and the two were sitting on the floor.
"Why should we believe you?" Dryden tempted
"Dryden!!" Millerna scolded
"I feared you were going to ask that, so I'm afraid I have more bad news."
"No, Allen no more please we believe you" Millerna pleaded
Allen straightened himself and continued.
"I'm here on behalf of Fanelia's new Queen, Merle."
"What?" Dryden asked
"Van Slaznar De Fanel was found" Allen stopped and turned to face Hitomi " Van was found dead this morning." Hitomi's eyes widened in horror.
"What?" she whispered not believing Allen
"He was killed by a gecko assisan, they found out about his plan before we could reach him. Merle is by law the next ruler, she asked me to help her in renegotiating treaties yesterday after shredding the Telan treaty."
There was complete silence as everyone let the idea of Van being dead sink in.
"Allen…d-did you j-just say V-Van …V-van is dead?" Millerna stuttered
"Yes Millerna, Van was stabbed in the gut and died of internal bleeding before anyone could find him"
Flashes of Van bleeding all over his room filled Hitomi's head and she began to feel faint.
"No…" She whispered, slowly Hitomi rose and started backing out of throne room.
Millerna was crying in Dryden's chest and Dryden was trying to desperately comfort his wife although he himself felt a few tears slide down his cheek. Celena had wrapped herself around Allen was crying into her brother's chest. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry"
"I know Celena it's okay" Allen soothed
Cheid had finally stood up and was hugging his Aunt, who had pulled him into a hug now. Hitomi felt a wall hit her back and turned to see the doors. Her vision was spinning again.
"Van didn't betray me……he was telling the truth…..and he's dead…..I shouldn't have left him. I SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT HIM!! NO!!!! VAN!!!!!!!!!"
Her vision blacked out and Hitomi remembered her friends tear stained faces turning to her. The last sound she heard was Allen's voice.
"Hitomi!"
