Chapter 5 – Light In The Midst Of Darkness

Disclaimer:  Me no own Escaflowne… Me REALLY wish I did, but then if I did, I would be writing a second a series and not a fanfic now wouldn't I? That and I would be very rich. I get no money from writing this; it's just to amuse people! YOU HOLD NOTHING AGAINST ME!!!!

Hitomi sat up to find herself in darkness. She screamed, she couldn't help herself. Then the door to her room was flung open and light flooded in. Hitomi was so relieved she started crying. The figure in this doorway ran in and threw its arms around Hitomi. Then another figure followed that one, the second had a sword out and ready.

-"What happened Hitomi?"

-"It was horrible Merle, there's an evil being somewhere and it's coming to kill me, and all those I care for! It has a horrible power as well, it has the power of Dark Flames!"

-"What are Dark Flames?"

-"This."

Hitomi pulled back the shirt on her right arm and there on her arm was a black tattoo-seeming mark that looked like flames. Hitomi shuddered and pulled the sleeve back down.

-"That mark will always be there I think. If she marked me in a vision, think of what she could do in real life."

-"Don't worry Hitomi, I won't let anyone hurt you."

-"I know Van, but it's not me I'm worry about. She said she would hurt you guys too."

-"Well I have a feeling that she's not going to act very soon, I have a feeling she's gathering energy."

-"You're probably right."

-"Merle can you go I want to talk to Hitomi."

-"Sure… bye!"

Merle smiled evilly and scampered out of the room and down the corridor. Van lit the lamps in the room and shut the door.

-"Hitomi are you alright? Really?"

-"Yes, though I won't say I'm not scared."

-"I don't expect you not to be scared. I want to talk you about the wedding."

-"Should we figure out when we want it, who is coming, etc?"

-"Yeah I was thinking we could have the wedding in about a month, is that alright?"

-"Sure, though I'm not sure if I could wait that long."

-"Me neither, and here's a list of people I'm going to invite. You can tell me what you think."

Hitomi took the list and carefully read it over.

-"Well I think it's perfect, I don't know most of the people but those that I do know deserve to be on there."

-"Well I'm glad. Do you think you might want to rejoin the world now?"

-"Definitely, I'll be out in a few minutes."

-"Ok, oh and have fun picking out bridesmaids."

-"Don't worry I will."

Van smiled and left the room. Hitomi got out bed and pulled on a long-sleeved red dress. She brushed out her hair and was trying to pin it up when one of the maids walked in.

-"Oh let me help you with that Miss Hitomi."

-"Please just Hitomi, and thank you um… I'm sorry but what's you name?"

-"M-my name Miss? I-it's Marie."

-"Well thank you Marie, I just can't seem to get these hair pins in on my own."

Marie took the pins from Hitomi and carefully pinned up her.

-"Thank you Marie."

 Hitomi smiled and left the room. Hitomi walked down the corridors, looking for some of the people she knew. Eventually she stopped a guard patrolling the palace.

-"Excuse me, but do you know where Merle, Milerna or Celena are?"

-"They are all in the garden Miss Hitomi."

-"Thank you."

Hitomi walked away and rolled her eyes.

'I guess I'm going to have to get used to having a title.'

 Hitomi walked out into the garden and found all three of them sitting under a tree. Well…sort of. Merle was in the tree, Celena was picking flowers, and Milerna was resting under a tree doing some embroidery. Hitomi made a face she was horrible at embroidery. She walked over to the tree.

-"Hi everyone."

-"Oh you're up. How are you feeling?"

-"I'm fine, how are you?"

-"We're all fine, though Milerna's feeling nauseous."

-"Merle!"

-"Well you are!"

-"So you didn't have to tell her that."

Hitomi laughed and sat down beside them.

-"Don't worry, I wont pester you about it."

-"Thank you, Celena has been… all day."

-"Well Onii-san told me to take care of you!"

-"Really… Well I'll have to have a talk with him."

All four of them burst out laughing.

-"Milerna, Celena, Merle… I have something to ask you."

-"Yes?" They all asked.

-"Well I want you three to be my bridesmaids… that way I don't have to suffer by myself in the hot sewing room."

-"Well of course we won't let you suffer by yourself, but I'll have to be right beside the window. I can't stay in hot areas for too long, it would hurt the baby."

-"I figured that, so I had the materials for your dress already put beside it."

-"Do I really have to wear a fancy dress Hitomi?"

-"Yes Merle, and I don't see why it's a problem, you're already wearing a dress!"

-"Well ya… but this isn't one I could trip over!"

-"Well you'll just not have to run!"

-"Fine!"

-"Well I think it's wonderful, and I'm glad you consider me a friend enough to ask me."

-"Of course I do Celena, I think your very nice, and it would have been very rude of me not to invite you as well."

-"Well thank you."

-"Hey Milerna, what do you say we go inside?"

-"Sure, the baby's complaining that I haven't eaten anything for a while."

Hitomi tried to get and found she couldn't put any weight on her arm. Merle seemed to know what her problem was so she helped her up, as Celena helped Milerna up. Then they walked arm and arm into the palace.