Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. But I DO own tbe billion characters I
invent along the way.
A/N: Wow, I guess I've struck a chord with some people, I can't believe I already have 23 reviews! Wow, you guys are the best! I wish I could thank you all personally, heck I think I will, but not now, wait till the end of the fic. Should I start an email notification list for this fic? If you think so, tell me will ya? ^_~ I tried this chapter with some html codes, so I HOPE it works. Thanks again to all of you who reviewed, I'll try to get new chapters up more often, but I'm SOOOOOO busy with schoolwork and Christmas preparations. I'll need at least 28-30 reviews to add the next chapter though. So, that's your incentive. Enjoy!
Chapter 5: A Strange Meeting
Hitomi blushed slightly, but Van held her hand reassuringly so she didn't feel as bad. She looked over Van's shoulder to the figure of a woman who looked to be in her thirties or forties. She had bright blue hair that was halfway between her waist and her shoulders that went along with her ice blue eyes.
"Your majesty." The woman swept into a bow, down on one knee, she seemed fascinated by the floor.
"Greetings weary traveler. What may I owe to the pleasure of your visit?" Van asked regally.
"My name is Mysia. I have come to save you Lord Van. I have traveled farther than the Mystic Moon, our meeting is vital to the future of Fanelia and Gaea." She looked up and noticed the nervous girl behind him.
"Oh no. Lady Hitomi, why are you out here in the open?! And Lord Van, you're letting her?! How dare you." She pointed at him, her finger shaking, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Why are you speaking to him like that?!" Hitomi shrieked in fury.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you at this time, Milady." Mysia stood up, and looked Hitomi straight in the eye.
Hitomi stood frozen, she couldn't look away from Mysia's stare. Van seemed not to notice, as he continued to glare at the odd woman who was accusing him of not caring for his fiancée. She was still awake, but the back of her mind, drifted back, back into Mysia's faraway past.
** "Where am I?" Hitomi's voice echoed into the blackness. She felt herself begin to spin, making her stomach want to turn inside out. Not knowing where she was going or what was happening, she let out an ear- splitting shriek.
A little baby, crying loudly, the father no doubt, holding him upwards in great pride, while his other son tugged on his shirt, asking about the baby's name. The baby was now a little boy, and seemed to be playing with a girl who was half-cat. He jumped off the roof and. the scene went blurry. A fire, burning everything down, another baby, she was caught in the flames, Hitomi reached out, trying to save her, but it was too late. iThis isn't right, it's not supposed to be this way./i The little girl seemed to have vanished from this family's circle, now she saw the father, lying on his deathbed, holding his wife's hand, she sobbed into his sheets, begging the gods to spare the one thing she held dear to her. The gods had no mercy. iHitomi held back tears, feeling great sadness for the widow as she saw the man slowly fade away into the abyss of death./i The widow, weeping at a fresh grave, the older boy wasn't there, but the younger one was there, and seemed so afraid. i"Don't worry, little one. It'll be alright." Hitomi whispered softly, although she knew the boy couldn't hear her./i The boy, he was growing up, but without a family to love and care about him. A crown was placed on his head; he was on his way to become king. iShe smiled; he looked so sweet and innocent. The crown was too big, and kept slipping off his head, and he was constantly trying to right it, with little success./i Another woman, who strangled resembled Mysia, she was crying. Wearing threadbare clothing, covered in dirt and grime, begging for a few coins.
A boy taunted her, "Ha! Ha! Ragamuffin! Eat mud with the pigs, although you're definitely fouler than the likes of them!" They started to run off with the girl's far-too-big shoes, but she caught their leader by the leg and pushed him facedown in the mud. He stood up, glaring angrily at her. He slapped her across the face, sending her reeling into the slop, and spit on her.
"You'll be bloody sorry." He muttered, wiping the mud off his face before running off, still holding her shoes.
Getting up, she quietly sobbed, muddy tears running down her pale cheeks, running away barefoot in the snow and muck.
i"Poor thing." Hitomi muttered, feeling great pity for the beggar child./i
She was eating rotten vegetables from a Dumpster, and had a squirrel on a spit; it must have been dead for days because the stench was awful. A large, greasy man ran out of the shop next door ran out and swatted her away with a newspaper, she abandoned her measly dinner, with a face filled with painful regret, she hadn't eaten in over a week. A kind old man, he was letting her come into his warm store. She was cleaned up and looked like a little lady, all dainty and proper, you wouldn't have known she was the little beggar from before. She grew up, and Hitomi watched her wedding, she looked so happy, smiling at her new husband, sealing her vows with a kiss.
iHitomi sighed in relief, things were finally going right for her./i
The woman was now holding a tiny baby boy in her arms, he had blonde hair and blue eyes and was a darling little creature, you could tell she adored him. Her husband died, and Hitomi's heart ached seeing her tears again.
For some reason the boy, her son, was running away, Hitomi wanted to scream at him, "How can you leave her all alone?" But she had lost control of her speech and could only watch.
She was reunited with her brother, the king, and was so happy, but sadness lingered within her, her husband, her son, they were gone. Her brother was married, with several children and a charming wife, who filled his life with joy. But half of their children died. Escaflowne was fighting again, but why?. Then, the world exploded, and the king's son turned his head to look at her, death reflected in his gaze. Before he too died, she studied him. He looked like a fusion of herself and Van. With raven hair and piercing green eyes, he swung his mighty sword, striking down every foe that dared to cross his path.
She gasped, "Is that." She paled before returning completely to the world of the living. **
"My son.?" Hitomi was pale and trembling.
"What's wrong Hitomi?" Van asked in concern, noting her obvious distress, not hearing her question.
"Oh nothing." She dismissed it casually before walking closer to Mysia.
"I'm sorry." She whispered softly, hugging the woman before stepping back to Van's side.
Mysia and Van looked like they were in a state of combined shock, bewilderment, and surprise, Hitomi smiled at their reaction. This would be her little secret.
'Maybe there's more to this girl that what I originally thought.'
"As I was saying your highness. Lady Hitomi is of the utmost importance for the future of Gaea. She must have a chaperone at all times, day or night, she is NEVER safe." Mysia warmed them.
"What's wrong with you? Can't you see you're scaring her?" Van was focused on the emerald-eyed girl who was back to her state of fright and nervousness.
"I'm simply making sure that you don't lose what matters to you most. They'll stop at nothing to kill her. Whoever gets in their way will be the first to meet their blade."
"Who are 'they'? What are you talking about? And why is Hitomi in so much trouble again?" Van yelled at the woman, impatient that she kept avoiding answering his questions.
"Lord Van." Mysia whispered in a shaky voice, staring at him with pale blue eyes that mirrored fear, horror, and pity.
"You wouldn't be asking that if you knew the horrors of what used to be my world."
"What do you mean?! You're not making any sense!" Van was not getting it and felt like strangling this fortune-teller whom seemed to enjoy befuddling his mind.
"You are too smart for me Lord Van, and I'm afraid I'll have to tell you a few things. But I beg that you keep your silence until I'm through or I'll say nothing and you'll forever live your life pondering what I'm warning you of. Agreed?" She stretched out her gloved hand.
"Agreed." Van mumbled, quickly shaking her hand, before taking Hitomi's and leading her to his throne where she sat on his lap, preparing to listen to Mysia's story.
"Alright then." She stood before them with a defiant glint in her eyes, daring them to challenge what she was about to tell them.
"I come from Gaea, as you do Lord Van, but I come from, now how should I put this? I guess it's the past, but it's your possible future, but this is the same time just changed. OH I DON'T KNOW! We'll just say that I'm from Gaea, but another one. In my world, you ruled as just king and protector of all of Fanelia, and you, Lady Hitomi, ruled by his side as his queen. And you were damn good rulers at that." She muttered the last part, but they could still hear it.
Hitomi and Van started staring into each other's eyes, feeling extremely joyous all of a sudden.
Mysia took note of this, "You two lovebirds can stare at each other later, listen to what I have to say!" Hitomi and Van broke their gaze and blushed deeply.
"Lady Hitomi returned to the Mystic Moon like she was supposed to, but several weeks later that cursed light came and returned her to you. She had a tough trip back and you, Lord Van, nursed her back to health. It took forever, you had to go through stupid princesses, a certain knight of Caeli, death, and many misunderstandings before you were FINALLY married. Lord Van went off to war a few times and Lady Hitomi bore him four children, one who died as a baby. Finding your brother and sister-in-law to be dead Lady, you took in your orphaned twin nieces. Eventually, your oldest boy, Daren, married and you became grandparents of his children, and your daughter, Varomi's, children. There was a great war on Gaea between Zaibach and Fanelia. Many loved ones were killed, so your son generously gave up our world so that the two of you could find great happiness, hoping you wouldn't meet the same fate. Your son is a great man, My Lord and Lady, and it is easy to see where he gets it from. You should be very proud of him. I'd say more, but it would endanger you and those you care about. I already said more than I should have."
Van and Hitomi sat there in stunned shock. The fact that they had a whole other history boggled their minds a bit, and made them worry about the future.
"I know I've complicated your lives a bit, but we were sent to save you." She looked up at them hoping that they understood.
"What do you mean, 'we'?" Hitomi asked suspiciously.
"You'll know when the right time comes. I beg of you, protect her Lord Van, she is our future. For from her, a savior shall be born, who will deliver Gaea from all peril. Marry her, your destinies wish it to be so. And, I believe, that you will find what you're looking for in the oldest section of the Royal Library. You'll know what I mean when you see it!" She ran away, cape flying behind her, staff in hand. The guards tried to make her halt, but she went through them, as though she were a ghost.
"But of course, a ghost of tomorrow." Hitomi whispered as Van held her protectively.
"We can change fate, I know we can. Our world shall not be burdened by such sorrows." Van replied stubbornly.
He walked over to a tube like thing, that Hitomi figured must be the Gaean version of an intercom.
"All Samurai, Council, and advisors, report to the Council meeting room immediately, or heads will roll."
"Nice touch." Hitomi commented.
"Well, I try." Van mumbled, slightly smirking at her.
"So, what did you make of what Mysia told us?" Hitomi asked casually.
"Oh, nothing really. I guess I better set up extra guards outside your room, ne?" Van detected a hint of a blush creeping to his cheeks.
'I need to work on talking with women, it's the one thing I can't seem to do.'
They reached the council room, and pushed open the heavy oak doors to reveal a bunch of old bearded men sitting around glaring at each other. Hitomi wanted to burst out laughing, but decided that wouldn't make a good first impression. Instead, she curtsied, hanging onto Van's arm, as he almost toppled over.
"I'd like to introduce your future queen. You may recognize Miss Hitomi Kanzaki of the Mystic Moon, do you not gentlemen?" Van asked, quite amused by his council's expressions. All their mouths had dropped to hit the table and they were looking at him like he'd just announced he would be taking a dragon as a pet.
"You're insane, Your majesty. That wench is not suited to be royalty!"
"The very idea is absurd!"
"Quite right Matai! Good show!"
"We've received dozens of marriage proposals! From Basram to Schezario!"
"She is cursed, sire, she'll bring disaster upon us all!"
"She must be of royal blood as well!"
"I'm sorry, your highness, but you have truly lost your sanity, if you believe we can accept this." Kirus remarked, looking actually saddened, for he had grown rather fond of the awkward girl, and would be displeased to see her go.
"You don't understand! If I don't marry Hitomi we're all doomed!" He was very nervous that they wouldn't listen to reason.
His suspicions were quickly concerned.
"REALLY, Lord, you're awfully desperate for this girl, aren't you? But our decision will not be swayed. Good Day." The head council member got up and the others filed out behind him.
"Damn you all. You're as good as dead." Van muttered in disgust at their obvious stupidity. He sighed, running his hand through his hair on the back of his head, trying to think up a plan.
"Milord?" Kirus squeaked.
"What is it now?" Van grunted in dismay, not wanting to know what other unpleasant news the obnoxious advisor had to announce.
"Yours and Lady Hitomi's bags are packed, with all the things you may need. I think you know what I mean, but don't forget to get that book from the library." His blue eyes twinkled, before he scurried off without another word, leaving Van speechless.
"Maybe I should offer him a raise. But what does he have in mind?" Then, it hit him.
"I can't believe he wants us to elope. He's the LAST person I'd expect this from. I wonder if Merle is blackmailing him or something."
"What was that Van?" Hitomi asked, looking at him curiously.
"You'll find out, come on!" He grinned boyishly at her, before racing down the stairs to the abandoned royal library.
Inside, it was dark and musty, spiders scuttled about, oblivious to the two intruders entering their domain. Van slowly walked around, taking in everything from his old world, before his life came crashing down all at once. It had been sealed after all the royal family except Van had died, and hadn't been explored since. It acted as a library and quiet retreat where the Fanels could enjoy life's simple pleasures in peace. He recognized a piece of embroidery his mother had been working on, to take her mind off Father's illness. He tripped over a top he played with as a small boy, and took great delight in again sending it spinning across the stone floor. His father's reading glasses lay abandoned on top of a book he had only been halfway through, and now the ink was fading. What really made him pause, and stare at with great longing in his chocolate eyes, was the family portrait. His father, mother, Folken and himself. For some reason there was a cradle by Varie's side, it was empty and Van had never understood why it had been added to the painting in the first place. He sat in his mother's lap, and Father's hand rested on Folken's shoulder. They looked so proud, so regal, as if they knew that this was where they belonged. Van missed that sense of belonging and fated purpose. For the first fifteen years of his life, he had known his destiny, and had never questioned it. Then, Hitomi came into the picture and his world was turned upside down. On one of the plump velvet chairs, lay a dusty book. The very one he and Folken had once read, time and time again.
"And our hero slew the rampaging dragon, and became king of all Fanelia." Van muttered, knowing that story by heart.
"They look like they were good people Van. I know they would have been proud of you. Just like me."
Hitomi came up behind him, and hugged him, noting the tears welling up in her beloved's eyes.
"Poor boy. You need a mother and father, a family. Why couldn't you just stay a little boy forever? I wish none of us ever had to grow up. Just because you're a prince doesn't mean you don't need any love." She kissed him gently on the cheek, and he smiled at her in appreciation.
"You amaze me. You know that, don't you?" He asked, his eyes shining.
"It's what I'm here for." She plopped down in the chair next to him and he began to read the Gaean classic childhood story.
"A long time ago, there was a brave knight and a beautiful princess. The princess's name was Adora and she ruled beside her parents, as Princess of Fanelia. Princess Adora spent much of her time looking out her window, for she couldn't leave the castle, because dragons circled around it and anyone who stepped outside was sure to be killed. A great many knights and warriors had tried to rescue her, but to no avail, they had all failed. Her father and mother, the king and queen, grew more distressed day by day, and the Fanelian citizens shed tears of grief for their doomed rulers. A tailor's son, by the name of Vazo, watched the dragons swoop around the capital and sighed, wishing he could do something to aid the lovely princess, for he had watched her grow up since he was a small lad, and had fell deeply in love with the gentle, kind-hearted, maiden. One day, he decided to do something about it. He took his father's armor and ran away from his home in the dead of the night, his only weapon being his great- great-grandfather's sword. The dragons were sleeping as he crept upon them, they never knew he was coming until it was too late. With great gusto, he slew the first few sleeping giants, but one awoke and Vazo knew he'd have to kill him to rescue the princess. The dragon whipped into his abdomen with his sharp spikes, hissing in rage at being challenged by such a scrawny peasant with no real value in life. An unworthy opponent. Blood spurted down his side, dirtying the thin armor, which was falling off from abuse in battle and age. He dived at the dragon's stomach, plunging his sword as deep as it would go. The dragon let out a glass-shattering scream, before falling dead to the ground Vazo spit out green dragon blood, wiping off his face and preparing to enter the castle to see about the princess. Just then, a pink light emitted from within the dragon. Vazo drew closer; afraid the dragon was playing possum and was waiting to bite off his head when he let his guard down. He carefully cut away at the scaly flesh, revealing a glowing pink jewel. He picked it up and all the blood disappeared. The body fell apart and he fell to the ground, still clutching the heart tightly in his fist.
As the last remains vanished, an apparition appeared before the boy and he fell to his knees in respect.
"Vazo L'Moure de Guymel of Fanelia?" The apparition asked him in a raspy voice.
"That is I." Vazo whispered in disbelief.
"You have done well, and shall be rewarded. You have slain a dragon, truly an amazing feat, and thus doing so, have saved Fanelia from devastation because of the power of your love. Listen to me and obey my laws and you and your people shall live in peace and harmony for as long as the stars glow at night. For I am Yoku, master of destiny, fate, and fortune. From this day forward, you are no longer Vazo, a simple tailor boy. You are now Ronu Tueur de Fanel, King of all Fanelia. You shall marry fair princess Adora, and your family shall reign forever, a never-ending dynasty. This is my promise to you, Lord Ronu. I also have a gift for you, for only the kings of your bloodline may ever pilot it. I present to you, Escaflowne." What looked to be a white metal warrior landed before him, perched on one knee.
"It's an Ispano, you should be proud to own such a powerful warrior such as this."
"Escaflowne? Ispano? Warrior?" The newly proclaimed King asked.
"Don't be afraid boy, place your drag-energist in its heart!" The spirit chided impatiently.
"W-What?" 'Ronu' asked in confusion, wondering if he was talking about the pink crystal.
"Take the jewel, and put it in the beast's heart, it's that simple." The voice continued, like it was coaching a little kid into drinking Piscus for the first time. Ronu did as he was instructed and it burst to life, summoning violent winds, reeling him backward into a tree. Awaking from unconsciousness, he reached out hesitantly to touch the heart and to his surprise, what looked like a cockpit opened and he jumped in. He could hear the dragon's pulse beating steadily and the gears and machinery hiss as they moved into place around him.
"Use it well, Lord. I'll always be with you." The spirit disappeared, leaving the warrior alone.
He gradually figured out how the contraption worked.
"I christen thee, a guymelef, and I swear to you, Escaflowne, that my descendants will keep our promise to Yoku." He slit his arm and the energist absorbed the blood as though it were a soothing drink. He pressed a button and the guymelef turned into a white dragon. He soared up through Princess Adora's window, catching her off guard, she screamed, falling over.
"Princess Adora." Ronu climbed out of Escaflowne taking a step toward her.
"Will you marry me?"
Getting over the drama, she smiled at the brave, noble man, and fell in love with her rescuer. For although he was a simple peasant, with poor lineage, little money, and he looked a wreck from his battle, she could tell that he had a good heart.
"Of course I will." He swept her into her arms as they went off to announce their engagement.
And so our hero slew the dragon, and became king of all Fanelia." Van snapped the book shut, as Hitomi absorbed the story.
"Is that a true story?" She asked in curiosity.
"We don't know for sure." Van admitted.
"But it's the only explanation we have for Fanelia's rather muddled history."
"See, that's great-great-great-great-great-great . Well, you get the idea, Grandpa Ronu, painted after his coronation." Van pointed at a portrait of a rather handsome man, who looked a great deal like Van, except he had dazzling blue eyes.
Hitomi walked closer and read the inscription below it, "Notre aimé sauveur. La clé se trouve avec le héros."
"But what does that mean?"
"No one knows. The ancient Fanelians had a screwy since of humor. All the ancient texts are written in different languages that are considered 'dead' here. We have no idea where most of them are from." Van shrugged it off, looking at his ancestor with great reverence and respect.
"He looks like he was a great man. Just like you." Hitomi commented softly.
"Yeah, he was, I guess. I mean, I never got to meet him or anything, he lived hundreds of years ago after all." Van muttered, not taking his eyes of his ancient warrior relation.
"I wish my grandmother was here. She could always make me feel better. She'd brew some Oolong tea and make some Miso soup while telling me one of her wonderful stories, and I'd feel brand-new."
"Yes, mother was the same way. I thought she was right about everything, and father loved her. And Folken and I loved her. It crushed me when she died, I couldn't take anymore pain." Van looked down at the floor, embarrassed at his weakness, but she simply drew him closer, trying to chase away the pain in his heart.
"Weren't we supposed to be down here for something?" She asked him, remembering all of a sudden their mission.
"Oh yes, the book Kirus told us to fetch."
Van walked over to one of the old oak bookcases, with shelf upon shelf of books. He opened a shelf enclosed with glass and flicked a spider away that crawled across one of the few books in the case. He selected the oddest-looking book that was very unrecognizable. The title was chipped away, and the words inside looked like an endless tale. No two pages seemed to be in the same language, and even Hitomi looked confused.
She beamed when they reached a page of Japanese, and Van looked at her admiringly as she read silently. He frowned when she looked very puzzled.
"It doesn't make any sense since I can't read the rest of it. It babbles about a savior and dragons and a bunch of nonsense I don't understand. I wish I understood the rest of it, but I guess it's supposed to help us in bSOME/b way." She looked at him sadly; feeling disappointed that she wasn't more of a help.
"It's alright Hitomi. We'll figure this out. Don't worry about it just yet. Let's get going!" He winked at her and they ran out front, to where a horse was awaiting them, harnessed to a cart filled with supplies.
"Ya!" Van commanded, flicking his whip as they drove out of sight, not knowing what lie ahead of them, unaware they had a stow-away hidden beneath the carriage.
"Goodbye Lord Van! Bye Hitomi!" Merle called out the window at her Lord's departure.
"Come back soon." The catgirl meowed dejectedly, crawling off into the shadows.
'Matchmaking comes at a price, I guess.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is not how things are supposed to go." Lady Hiraki muttered dejectedly.
"You know that don't you?" She looked up at her son expectantly.
"You were sure a big help with that stunt you pulled, I had to back you up." Kirus mumbled in defense.
"Let's just see what happens." She replied, watching the couple ride away.
"This may work to our advantage."
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: What'll happen next? You'll find out whenever I get around to it. I'm watching, "My Neighbor Totoro" at the moment, a very sweet film. I may not get another chapter out until Christmas break. I'll keep working on it, but I'm soooooooo far behind. I have so much to do. I have not given up on my other fics, it's just taking a while. I hope you enjoyed this, please review! Later! ^_~
~Trunks Gal~
A/N: Wow, I guess I've struck a chord with some people, I can't believe I already have 23 reviews! Wow, you guys are the best! I wish I could thank you all personally, heck I think I will, but not now, wait till the end of the fic. Should I start an email notification list for this fic? If you think so, tell me will ya? ^_~ I tried this chapter with some html codes, so I HOPE it works. Thanks again to all of you who reviewed, I'll try to get new chapters up more often, but I'm SOOOOOO busy with schoolwork and Christmas preparations. I'll need at least 28-30 reviews to add the next chapter though. So, that's your incentive. Enjoy!
Chapter 5: A Strange Meeting
Hitomi blushed slightly, but Van held her hand reassuringly so she didn't feel as bad. She looked over Van's shoulder to the figure of a woman who looked to be in her thirties or forties. She had bright blue hair that was halfway between her waist and her shoulders that went along with her ice blue eyes.
"Your majesty." The woman swept into a bow, down on one knee, she seemed fascinated by the floor.
"Greetings weary traveler. What may I owe to the pleasure of your visit?" Van asked regally.
"My name is Mysia. I have come to save you Lord Van. I have traveled farther than the Mystic Moon, our meeting is vital to the future of Fanelia and Gaea." She looked up and noticed the nervous girl behind him.
"Oh no. Lady Hitomi, why are you out here in the open?! And Lord Van, you're letting her?! How dare you." She pointed at him, her finger shaking, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Why are you speaking to him like that?!" Hitomi shrieked in fury.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you at this time, Milady." Mysia stood up, and looked Hitomi straight in the eye.
Hitomi stood frozen, she couldn't look away from Mysia's stare. Van seemed not to notice, as he continued to glare at the odd woman who was accusing him of not caring for his fiancée. She was still awake, but the back of her mind, drifted back, back into Mysia's faraway past.
** "Where am I?" Hitomi's voice echoed into the blackness. She felt herself begin to spin, making her stomach want to turn inside out. Not knowing where she was going or what was happening, she let out an ear- splitting shriek.
A little baby, crying loudly, the father no doubt, holding him upwards in great pride, while his other son tugged on his shirt, asking about the baby's name. The baby was now a little boy, and seemed to be playing with a girl who was half-cat. He jumped off the roof and. the scene went blurry. A fire, burning everything down, another baby, she was caught in the flames, Hitomi reached out, trying to save her, but it was too late. iThis isn't right, it's not supposed to be this way./i The little girl seemed to have vanished from this family's circle, now she saw the father, lying on his deathbed, holding his wife's hand, she sobbed into his sheets, begging the gods to spare the one thing she held dear to her. The gods had no mercy. iHitomi held back tears, feeling great sadness for the widow as she saw the man slowly fade away into the abyss of death./i The widow, weeping at a fresh grave, the older boy wasn't there, but the younger one was there, and seemed so afraid. i"Don't worry, little one. It'll be alright." Hitomi whispered softly, although she knew the boy couldn't hear her./i The boy, he was growing up, but without a family to love and care about him. A crown was placed on his head; he was on his way to become king. iShe smiled; he looked so sweet and innocent. The crown was too big, and kept slipping off his head, and he was constantly trying to right it, with little success./i Another woman, who strangled resembled Mysia, she was crying. Wearing threadbare clothing, covered in dirt and grime, begging for a few coins.
A boy taunted her, "Ha! Ha! Ragamuffin! Eat mud with the pigs, although you're definitely fouler than the likes of them!" They started to run off with the girl's far-too-big shoes, but she caught their leader by the leg and pushed him facedown in the mud. He stood up, glaring angrily at her. He slapped her across the face, sending her reeling into the slop, and spit on her.
"You'll be bloody sorry." He muttered, wiping the mud off his face before running off, still holding her shoes.
Getting up, she quietly sobbed, muddy tears running down her pale cheeks, running away barefoot in the snow and muck.
i"Poor thing." Hitomi muttered, feeling great pity for the beggar child./i
She was eating rotten vegetables from a Dumpster, and had a squirrel on a spit; it must have been dead for days because the stench was awful. A large, greasy man ran out of the shop next door ran out and swatted her away with a newspaper, she abandoned her measly dinner, with a face filled with painful regret, she hadn't eaten in over a week. A kind old man, he was letting her come into his warm store. She was cleaned up and looked like a little lady, all dainty and proper, you wouldn't have known she was the little beggar from before. She grew up, and Hitomi watched her wedding, she looked so happy, smiling at her new husband, sealing her vows with a kiss.
iHitomi sighed in relief, things were finally going right for her./i
The woman was now holding a tiny baby boy in her arms, he had blonde hair and blue eyes and was a darling little creature, you could tell she adored him. Her husband died, and Hitomi's heart ached seeing her tears again.
For some reason the boy, her son, was running away, Hitomi wanted to scream at him, "How can you leave her all alone?" But she had lost control of her speech and could only watch.
She was reunited with her brother, the king, and was so happy, but sadness lingered within her, her husband, her son, they were gone. Her brother was married, with several children and a charming wife, who filled his life with joy. But half of their children died. Escaflowne was fighting again, but why?. Then, the world exploded, and the king's son turned his head to look at her, death reflected in his gaze. Before he too died, she studied him. He looked like a fusion of herself and Van. With raven hair and piercing green eyes, he swung his mighty sword, striking down every foe that dared to cross his path.
She gasped, "Is that." She paled before returning completely to the world of the living. **
"My son.?" Hitomi was pale and trembling.
"What's wrong Hitomi?" Van asked in concern, noting her obvious distress, not hearing her question.
"Oh nothing." She dismissed it casually before walking closer to Mysia.
"I'm sorry." She whispered softly, hugging the woman before stepping back to Van's side.
Mysia and Van looked like they were in a state of combined shock, bewilderment, and surprise, Hitomi smiled at their reaction. This would be her little secret.
'Maybe there's more to this girl that what I originally thought.'
"As I was saying your highness. Lady Hitomi is of the utmost importance for the future of Gaea. She must have a chaperone at all times, day or night, she is NEVER safe." Mysia warmed them.
"What's wrong with you? Can't you see you're scaring her?" Van was focused on the emerald-eyed girl who was back to her state of fright and nervousness.
"I'm simply making sure that you don't lose what matters to you most. They'll stop at nothing to kill her. Whoever gets in their way will be the first to meet their blade."
"Who are 'they'? What are you talking about? And why is Hitomi in so much trouble again?" Van yelled at the woman, impatient that she kept avoiding answering his questions.
"Lord Van." Mysia whispered in a shaky voice, staring at him with pale blue eyes that mirrored fear, horror, and pity.
"You wouldn't be asking that if you knew the horrors of what used to be my world."
"What do you mean?! You're not making any sense!" Van was not getting it and felt like strangling this fortune-teller whom seemed to enjoy befuddling his mind.
"You are too smart for me Lord Van, and I'm afraid I'll have to tell you a few things. But I beg that you keep your silence until I'm through or I'll say nothing and you'll forever live your life pondering what I'm warning you of. Agreed?" She stretched out her gloved hand.
"Agreed." Van mumbled, quickly shaking her hand, before taking Hitomi's and leading her to his throne where she sat on his lap, preparing to listen to Mysia's story.
"Alright then." She stood before them with a defiant glint in her eyes, daring them to challenge what she was about to tell them.
"I come from Gaea, as you do Lord Van, but I come from, now how should I put this? I guess it's the past, but it's your possible future, but this is the same time just changed. OH I DON'T KNOW! We'll just say that I'm from Gaea, but another one. In my world, you ruled as just king and protector of all of Fanelia, and you, Lady Hitomi, ruled by his side as his queen. And you were damn good rulers at that." She muttered the last part, but they could still hear it.
Hitomi and Van started staring into each other's eyes, feeling extremely joyous all of a sudden.
Mysia took note of this, "You two lovebirds can stare at each other later, listen to what I have to say!" Hitomi and Van broke their gaze and blushed deeply.
"Lady Hitomi returned to the Mystic Moon like she was supposed to, but several weeks later that cursed light came and returned her to you. She had a tough trip back and you, Lord Van, nursed her back to health. It took forever, you had to go through stupid princesses, a certain knight of Caeli, death, and many misunderstandings before you were FINALLY married. Lord Van went off to war a few times and Lady Hitomi bore him four children, one who died as a baby. Finding your brother and sister-in-law to be dead Lady, you took in your orphaned twin nieces. Eventually, your oldest boy, Daren, married and you became grandparents of his children, and your daughter, Varomi's, children. There was a great war on Gaea between Zaibach and Fanelia. Many loved ones were killed, so your son generously gave up our world so that the two of you could find great happiness, hoping you wouldn't meet the same fate. Your son is a great man, My Lord and Lady, and it is easy to see where he gets it from. You should be very proud of him. I'd say more, but it would endanger you and those you care about. I already said more than I should have."
Van and Hitomi sat there in stunned shock. The fact that they had a whole other history boggled their minds a bit, and made them worry about the future.
"I know I've complicated your lives a bit, but we were sent to save you." She looked up at them hoping that they understood.
"What do you mean, 'we'?" Hitomi asked suspiciously.
"You'll know when the right time comes. I beg of you, protect her Lord Van, she is our future. For from her, a savior shall be born, who will deliver Gaea from all peril. Marry her, your destinies wish it to be so. And, I believe, that you will find what you're looking for in the oldest section of the Royal Library. You'll know what I mean when you see it!" She ran away, cape flying behind her, staff in hand. The guards tried to make her halt, but she went through them, as though she were a ghost.
"But of course, a ghost of tomorrow." Hitomi whispered as Van held her protectively.
"We can change fate, I know we can. Our world shall not be burdened by such sorrows." Van replied stubbornly.
He walked over to a tube like thing, that Hitomi figured must be the Gaean version of an intercom.
"All Samurai, Council, and advisors, report to the Council meeting room immediately, or heads will roll."
"Nice touch." Hitomi commented.
"Well, I try." Van mumbled, slightly smirking at her.
"So, what did you make of what Mysia told us?" Hitomi asked casually.
"Oh, nothing really. I guess I better set up extra guards outside your room, ne?" Van detected a hint of a blush creeping to his cheeks.
'I need to work on talking with women, it's the one thing I can't seem to do.'
They reached the council room, and pushed open the heavy oak doors to reveal a bunch of old bearded men sitting around glaring at each other. Hitomi wanted to burst out laughing, but decided that wouldn't make a good first impression. Instead, she curtsied, hanging onto Van's arm, as he almost toppled over.
"I'd like to introduce your future queen. You may recognize Miss Hitomi Kanzaki of the Mystic Moon, do you not gentlemen?" Van asked, quite amused by his council's expressions. All their mouths had dropped to hit the table and they were looking at him like he'd just announced he would be taking a dragon as a pet.
"You're insane, Your majesty. That wench is not suited to be royalty!"
"The very idea is absurd!"
"Quite right Matai! Good show!"
"We've received dozens of marriage proposals! From Basram to Schezario!"
"She is cursed, sire, she'll bring disaster upon us all!"
"She must be of royal blood as well!"
"I'm sorry, your highness, but you have truly lost your sanity, if you believe we can accept this." Kirus remarked, looking actually saddened, for he had grown rather fond of the awkward girl, and would be displeased to see her go.
"You don't understand! If I don't marry Hitomi we're all doomed!" He was very nervous that they wouldn't listen to reason.
His suspicions were quickly concerned.
"REALLY, Lord, you're awfully desperate for this girl, aren't you? But our decision will not be swayed. Good Day." The head council member got up and the others filed out behind him.
"Damn you all. You're as good as dead." Van muttered in disgust at their obvious stupidity. He sighed, running his hand through his hair on the back of his head, trying to think up a plan.
"Milord?" Kirus squeaked.
"What is it now?" Van grunted in dismay, not wanting to know what other unpleasant news the obnoxious advisor had to announce.
"Yours and Lady Hitomi's bags are packed, with all the things you may need. I think you know what I mean, but don't forget to get that book from the library." His blue eyes twinkled, before he scurried off without another word, leaving Van speechless.
"Maybe I should offer him a raise. But what does he have in mind?" Then, it hit him.
"I can't believe he wants us to elope. He's the LAST person I'd expect this from. I wonder if Merle is blackmailing him or something."
"What was that Van?" Hitomi asked, looking at him curiously.
"You'll find out, come on!" He grinned boyishly at her, before racing down the stairs to the abandoned royal library.
Inside, it was dark and musty, spiders scuttled about, oblivious to the two intruders entering their domain. Van slowly walked around, taking in everything from his old world, before his life came crashing down all at once. It had been sealed after all the royal family except Van had died, and hadn't been explored since. It acted as a library and quiet retreat where the Fanels could enjoy life's simple pleasures in peace. He recognized a piece of embroidery his mother had been working on, to take her mind off Father's illness. He tripped over a top he played with as a small boy, and took great delight in again sending it spinning across the stone floor. His father's reading glasses lay abandoned on top of a book he had only been halfway through, and now the ink was fading. What really made him pause, and stare at with great longing in his chocolate eyes, was the family portrait. His father, mother, Folken and himself. For some reason there was a cradle by Varie's side, it was empty and Van had never understood why it had been added to the painting in the first place. He sat in his mother's lap, and Father's hand rested on Folken's shoulder. They looked so proud, so regal, as if they knew that this was where they belonged. Van missed that sense of belonging and fated purpose. For the first fifteen years of his life, he had known his destiny, and had never questioned it. Then, Hitomi came into the picture and his world was turned upside down. On one of the plump velvet chairs, lay a dusty book. The very one he and Folken had once read, time and time again.
"And our hero slew the rampaging dragon, and became king of all Fanelia." Van muttered, knowing that story by heart.
"They look like they were good people Van. I know they would have been proud of you. Just like me."
Hitomi came up behind him, and hugged him, noting the tears welling up in her beloved's eyes.
"Poor boy. You need a mother and father, a family. Why couldn't you just stay a little boy forever? I wish none of us ever had to grow up. Just because you're a prince doesn't mean you don't need any love." She kissed him gently on the cheek, and he smiled at her in appreciation.
"You amaze me. You know that, don't you?" He asked, his eyes shining.
"It's what I'm here for." She plopped down in the chair next to him and he began to read the Gaean classic childhood story.
"A long time ago, there was a brave knight and a beautiful princess. The princess's name was Adora and she ruled beside her parents, as Princess of Fanelia. Princess Adora spent much of her time looking out her window, for she couldn't leave the castle, because dragons circled around it and anyone who stepped outside was sure to be killed. A great many knights and warriors had tried to rescue her, but to no avail, they had all failed. Her father and mother, the king and queen, grew more distressed day by day, and the Fanelian citizens shed tears of grief for their doomed rulers. A tailor's son, by the name of Vazo, watched the dragons swoop around the capital and sighed, wishing he could do something to aid the lovely princess, for he had watched her grow up since he was a small lad, and had fell deeply in love with the gentle, kind-hearted, maiden. One day, he decided to do something about it. He took his father's armor and ran away from his home in the dead of the night, his only weapon being his great- great-grandfather's sword. The dragons were sleeping as he crept upon them, they never knew he was coming until it was too late. With great gusto, he slew the first few sleeping giants, but one awoke and Vazo knew he'd have to kill him to rescue the princess. The dragon whipped into his abdomen with his sharp spikes, hissing in rage at being challenged by such a scrawny peasant with no real value in life. An unworthy opponent. Blood spurted down his side, dirtying the thin armor, which was falling off from abuse in battle and age. He dived at the dragon's stomach, plunging his sword as deep as it would go. The dragon let out a glass-shattering scream, before falling dead to the ground Vazo spit out green dragon blood, wiping off his face and preparing to enter the castle to see about the princess. Just then, a pink light emitted from within the dragon. Vazo drew closer; afraid the dragon was playing possum and was waiting to bite off his head when he let his guard down. He carefully cut away at the scaly flesh, revealing a glowing pink jewel. He picked it up and all the blood disappeared. The body fell apart and he fell to the ground, still clutching the heart tightly in his fist.
As the last remains vanished, an apparition appeared before the boy and he fell to his knees in respect.
"Vazo L'Moure de Guymel of Fanelia?" The apparition asked him in a raspy voice.
"That is I." Vazo whispered in disbelief.
"You have done well, and shall be rewarded. You have slain a dragon, truly an amazing feat, and thus doing so, have saved Fanelia from devastation because of the power of your love. Listen to me and obey my laws and you and your people shall live in peace and harmony for as long as the stars glow at night. For I am Yoku, master of destiny, fate, and fortune. From this day forward, you are no longer Vazo, a simple tailor boy. You are now Ronu Tueur de Fanel, King of all Fanelia. You shall marry fair princess Adora, and your family shall reign forever, a never-ending dynasty. This is my promise to you, Lord Ronu. I also have a gift for you, for only the kings of your bloodline may ever pilot it. I present to you, Escaflowne." What looked to be a white metal warrior landed before him, perched on one knee.
"It's an Ispano, you should be proud to own such a powerful warrior such as this."
"Escaflowne? Ispano? Warrior?" The newly proclaimed King asked.
"Don't be afraid boy, place your drag-energist in its heart!" The spirit chided impatiently.
"W-What?" 'Ronu' asked in confusion, wondering if he was talking about the pink crystal.
"Take the jewel, and put it in the beast's heart, it's that simple." The voice continued, like it was coaching a little kid into drinking Piscus for the first time. Ronu did as he was instructed and it burst to life, summoning violent winds, reeling him backward into a tree. Awaking from unconsciousness, he reached out hesitantly to touch the heart and to his surprise, what looked like a cockpit opened and he jumped in. He could hear the dragon's pulse beating steadily and the gears and machinery hiss as they moved into place around him.
"Use it well, Lord. I'll always be with you." The spirit disappeared, leaving the warrior alone.
He gradually figured out how the contraption worked.
"I christen thee, a guymelef, and I swear to you, Escaflowne, that my descendants will keep our promise to Yoku." He slit his arm and the energist absorbed the blood as though it were a soothing drink. He pressed a button and the guymelef turned into a white dragon. He soared up through Princess Adora's window, catching her off guard, she screamed, falling over.
"Princess Adora." Ronu climbed out of Escaflowne taking a step toward her.
"Will you marry me?"
Getting over the drama, she smiled at the brave, noble man, and fell in love with her rescuer. For although he was a simple peasant, with poor lineage, little money, and he looked a wreck from his battle, she could tell that he had a good heart.
"Of course I will." He swept her into her arms as they went off to announce their engagement.
And so our hero slew the dragon, and became king of all Fanelia." Van snapped the book shut, as Hitomi absorbed the story.
"Is that a true story?" She asked in curiosity.
"We don't know for sure." Van admitted.
"But it's the only explanation we have for Fanelia's rather muddled history."
"See, that's great-great-great-great-great-great . Well, you get the idea, Grandpa Ronu, painted after his coronation." Van pointed at a portrait of a rather handsome man, who looked a great deal like Van, except he had dazzling blue eyes.
Hitomi walked closer and read the inscription below it, "Notre aimé sauveur. La clé se trouve avec le héros."
"But what does that mean?"
"No one knows. The ancient Fanelians had a screwy since of humor. All the ancient texts are written in different languages that are considered 'dead' here. We have no idea where most of them are from." Van shrugged it off, looking at his ancestor with great reverence and respect.
"He looks like he was a great man. Just like you." Hitomi commented softly.
"Yeah, he was, I guess. I mean, I never got to meet him or anything, he lived hundreds of years ago after all." Van muttered, not taking his eyes of his ancient warrior relation.
"I wish my grandmother was here. She could always make me feel better. She'd brew some Oolong tea and make some Miso soup while telling me one of her wonderful stories, and I'd feel brand-new."
"Yes, mother was the same way. I thought she was right about everything, and father loved her. And Folken and I loved her. It crushed me when she died, I couldn't take anymore pain." Van looked down at the floor, embarrassed at his weakness, but she simply drew him closer, trying to chase away the pain in his heart.
"Weren't we supposed to be down here for something?" She asked him, remembering all of a sudden their mission.
"Oh yes, the book Kirus told us to fetch."
Van walked over to one of the old oak bookcases, with shelf upon shelf of books. He opened a shelf enclosed with glass and flicked a spider away that crawled across one of the few books in the case. He selected the oddest-looking book that was very unrecognizable. The title was chipped away, and the words inside looked like an endless tale. No two pages seemed to be in the same language, and even Hitomi looked confused.
She beamed when they reached a page of Japanese, and Van looked at her admiringly as she read silently. He frowned when she looked very puzzled.
"It doesn't make any sense since I can't read the rest of it. It babbles about a savior and dragons and a bunch of nonsense I don't understand. I wish I understood the rest of it, but I guess it's supposed to help us in bSOME/b way." She looked at him sadly; feeling disappointed that she wasn't more of a help.
"It's alright Hitomi. We'll figure this out. Don't worry about it just yet. Let's get going!" He winked at her and they ran out front, to where a horse was awaiting them, harnessed to a cart filled with supplies.
"Ya!" Van commanded, flicking his whip as they drove out of sight, not knowing what lie ahead of them, unaware they had a stow-away hidden beneath the carriage.
"Goodbye Lord Van! Bye Hitomi!" Merle called out the window at her Lord's departure.
"Come back soon." The catgirl meowed dejectedly, crawling off into the shadows.
'Matchmaking comes at a price, I guess.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is not how things are supposed to go." Lady Hiraki muttered dejectedly.
"You know that don't you?" She looked up at her son expectantly.
"You were sure a big help with that stunt you pulled, I had to back you up." Kirus mumbled in defense.
"Let's just see what happens." She replied, watching the couple ride away.
"This may work to our advantage."
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: What'll happen next? You'll find out whenever I get around to it. I'm watching, "My Neighbor Totoro" at the moment, a very sweet film. I may not get another chapter out until Christmas break. I'll keep working on it, but I'm soooooooo far behind. I have so much to do. I have not given up on my other fics, it's just taking a while. I hope you enjoyed this, please review! Later! ^_~
~Trunks Gal~