Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own anything in Vision of Escaflowne, or it wouldn't be a fanfiction. Don't sue me :D

synopsis: With their behind them, Van and Hitomi find they can't live without one another. So they get ready to go back to Gaia....seems almost too easy...To be a queen! Hitomi was almost in shock. She hadn't really thought that far ahead...


Authors note: Song ~ Gloria

***

Blinking in the sunlight, Hitomi looked out over the Capital. It was so beautiful, and she couldn't believe this was the same place she had been a little over ten years ago... the same place that had been burnt to a crisp. They had merely arrived a few hours ago, and after many formalities that Hitomi never would have expected out of Van, she had been shown to her room by a few servant girls. Hitomi had laid down her things on the bed, and after a fruitless effort of searching for her mother, she stood in the large outdoor courtyard she had seen Van coronized in. She idly wondered what her mother had told her father and brother. They had been on some extended business trip in America, and wondered if she would see them again. Her mother would only let her say a few words to each before they left...

Turning at the sound of footsteps, Hitomi smiled gently. Van was in full court regalia, obviously to speak to his country about his return. Van strode up to her, a full grin on his face and put his hands on her elbows.

Hitomi... I can't thank you enough for deciding to return with me. His smile was entrancing, and him being so close to her... she felt herself melting from him in the gentle sunlight.

she simply said.

He closed his eyes, and slowly opened them.

It's still unbelievable that your actually here in my palace... He looked around and seeing nobody nearby, he quickly kissed her gently on the lips. And that you agreed to be my queen. he whispered. He pulled her close and held her, his hand gently holding her close in the center of her back. She closed her eyes and leaned into him, gently biting her lip.

Queen... me.. a queen? This is insane! But I love the sound.. his queen. Van's wife...

Hitomi shivered with the chill of the whole matter... to rule a country and be his wife! Van usually wasn't this honest, and vocal about it, even to her. She was so nervous and unsure of everything. Van felt her shiver and pulled her closer. She inhaled his scent, and the smell of Fanelia. The smells of cooking, and firewood being burned, and the smell of the woods and many other things she could not identify. But mostly the smell of Van. She nuzzled his shoulder.

Grinning to himself, Van held Hitomi for a long time. He knew Merle was watching, but he ignored that. She wouldn't give up her old ways of spying on him it seemed.

Gently, he slide his slid his hand up and down Hitomi's back. Van took this opportunity of nobody around, and of holding Hitomi so close. He leaned over and kissed her neck. She seemed startled but didn't move to stop him. He continued and kissed up to her ear.

I love you... he whispered into her ear, and she stood wide eyed still gripping onto his back in the embrace, with the warm feeling filling her belly...

*

Evan almost walked into the outter courtyard, but stopped himself short. Merle was waiting right in the darkness of the alcove, watching something.

Whispering, he snuck up behind her. What are you watching? He asked straining to see around the corner.

Merle turned and with a sly grin spoke quietly. Van and Hitomi. They are...getting rather friendly in public view! She exclaimed as quietly as possible.

Let me see. He said and she moved to one side. He looked out onto the courtyard, and spied the young woman and his former roommate engaged in a close embrace, with no notion as to what exactly else they were doing at this distance.

They are just holding each other Merle. People do that all the time.

Yes but in... public? Where everyone can see? She asked shocked.

Ofcourse, although it usually doesn't go beyond a hug or a quick kiss! he said sharply.

Well they already kissed Merle said almost spitting the words out.

Evan said with distaste and strode back into the palace.

*

Van leafed through the papers on his desk. He had decided to dive into them the day after returning. Last night they had all been tired from the travels, and the culture shock was evident to Van. Evan was beside himself and wasn't talking much, Hitomi's mother talked incessantly, and Hitomi wasn't talking much, but smiling a lot. The address to his people have gone over smoothly, and the joy was overwhelming. A party or some such was to be held that night, celebrating the kings return. Van had postponed it from last night, as he wanted to rest and he wanted his comrades to aswell.

Signing a building permit, and eyeing one of the peace treaties, Van sighed. On the Mystic Moon, In Japan, he had spent his time looking for Hitomi. Now he had to come back to so many responcibilities... it was overwhelming. Looking out the large window behind him, Van was glad it was almost sundown. He would have fun at the gala. He was the king, and he would have a queen to share his joy with...now.

*

Smiling at her mother, Hitomi spun in the dress. Both women had decided to spend the rest of their earth funds in purchasing gold to return with, and that gave them money to use here in Fanelia. Hitomi wasn't at all interested in completely mooching off of Van... and if they didn't have money from him, anything they bought could be used to surprize him.

Like this dress. She thought smiling again. It was a raspberry color and soft silk, complementing her eyes and her hair, which had been lighter brown when she had been in Fanelia last. But, as most girls it had grown darker with age. It was a wonder Van had recognized her when he first saw her in that dingy apartment. She had grown her hair out slightly past her shoulders.

Hitomi looked around the large room, with the large lacey curtains and the huge bed. The bedspread was even larger, and white, and looked very soft. She could lay down anywhere on it an not even have a limb fall off. And the room could fit half her office employees in it with room to spare... her former office.

Picked up a hairpin from the large vanity, and place it in her hair to hold it back over her right ear. She picked up a barette that had small gems inlaid, and snapped it on over the hairpin. Her mother smiled and held her daughters shoulders, looking to the mirror from behind Hitomi's shoulder.

You look wonderful dear. He is going to be very nervous at the sight of your beauty.

Mothhher! I don't look that beautiful! Could you hand me those earrings? She asked and grinned. Her mother picked them up and handed one to Hitomi, and fiddled with the other to get it in an ear. Hitomi smiled to the mirror while putting one in the other.

I do look rather cute though. She paused and put her hands on her hips. You should be putting on your gown though aswell, mother! We cannot have the mother of the future Queen-Bride to be wearing street clothes of modern Japan at such a formal event! Now we have to hurry! Hitomi exclaimed as her mother slipped the credilin over her pants, and fastened it down. Soon they had her in a bright blue dress, complete with adorning gems.

Oh how hard it is to be royal. her mother said and giggled, as they walked down the latern lite hallways to the awaiting festivities, in their lovely gowns.


***

I think I will write longer chapters from now on ^_^

also, thanks for all the replies on her mothers name. I considered using her seiryu's name, but decided against it. It really isn't hard to call her Hitomi's mother over and over and over :D My brain also decided to completely forget about checking to see if Hitomi had siblings or a father. Somehow I got myself under the impression since they weren't shown, they didn't exist. Oops! Easily solved! they will show up, eventually I think. If not, strongly hinted at :D

Do you guys like the song thing? tell me if you even use it ^_^ ( I love reviews and responces :D! wheeee)
(and i like cookies *munches* thanks!)