The Ties That Bind
By Siren
Wow, I'm suddenly getting some reviews. Damn. Um, thanks. Anyway, here's the next chapter. ^_^ I don't Leann Rimes' 'Suddenly' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's raining outside. I always loved the sound of the rain. It was always so soothing and gentle. I smile softly in the darkness of my room. I absently brush my hand over the arm around my waist. I remember the past few hours and my smile grows. Van admitted that he loved me. I never expected to hear those words from him. I mean, here I am in Gaea, and I have the love of a king.
I inhale deeply, catching his scent. Wild flowers and fields.Van's scent. I blink, new worries entering my mind. We weren't married; would Van get in trouble? I'm not royalty, so was this even legal? I smirk at the sound of his gentle snoring, forgetting everything for a moment. I'm still restless, and I need to move around a bit. I sit up, holding the covers to my chest. Clothes would be nice right now. Okay, shirt, corset, boots, pants.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and hear Van groan in protest. I turn around and gently run my fingers through his hair. He seems to calm a bit, and I resume my task of getting dressed. Now fully dressed, I stand up and shake my head, letting my unruly hair fall in front of my eyes. "Where.where are you.?" I look at my slumbering king and kiss his cheek. "Just going for a walk. Don't worry."
I pull the covers over him, and leave the room. I turn around only to come face to face with Merle. Her eyes are wide and filled with regret. "Um, we have to talk," she whispers. I frown at her serious attitude. "What's wrong?" Merle pulls me into the hallway, and looks at my room nervously. "King Aston knows about you two. I don't know how, he just does. Lord Van's in trouble." My breath catches in my throat and I shake my head. "What are you talking about?"
Tears spring to Merle's eyes as she explains. "You're not royalty, and you're not married. Because of this, Van has committed treason against Fanalia. He could be killed for this. We have to leave immiedietly, or else we'll all be killed." I blink, my head spinning with this new information. "I'll go wake up Van. You go pack our stuff, and we'll meet you in the hangar." She nods and scampers away. I quickly go into my room, my eyes filling with tears. I've ruined everything for him. Oh God, Van I'm so sorry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Allen Schezar, I have called you here because of a very serious matter."
The heavenly knight looked up at his king in curiosity. "Please tell me what troubles you, milord." King Aston looked at the knight and nodded. "It regards the king of Fanalia, and the child from distant lands." Allen felt his pulse quicken in worry. "What about them?" Aston cleared his throat. "Our sources say that he and the girl have become intimate. That is grounds for treason, punishable by death."
Allen felt his eyes widen in shock. He and the others had known about the relationship between Van and the girl, but how did the king find out? "Are you sure that your source is reliable?" The king's eyes narrowed. "You question my judgment?" Allen shook his head. "No milord. It's just that, well, the king of Fanalia respects the laws. I find it hard to believe that he would disobey them." Aston waved his hand in disagreement. "That king has been a troublemaker since the beginning. He's started a war with our ally, Zaibach, and now he's sleeping with commoners. How pathetic."
"She is not a commoner!" Allen shouted heatedly. Aston lifted an eyebrow and studied the knight. "You are arguing with me, Allen?" The knight felt himself begin to shake with anger. "She is a kind and unique girl. She's not a commoner," he argued. Aston chuckled deeply. "Don't tell me you have feelings for her," he scoffed. Allen stood from his kneeling position, causing the king to gasp. "How dare you! I am a king, and you should kneel in my presence!" Allen clenched his fists tightly. "Forgive me milord, but I do not agree with your laws or your logic."
Aston's face grew red with anger. "Allen Schezar, you have just signed your death warrant!" Allen looked away, bowing his head. "Father, no!" Aston looked at his daughter in surprise. "Go back to your room, Millerna. This does not concern you." The blonde princess held her ground and marched towards him. "How dare you, father! Allen has been a faithful knight of your's for years, and now you wish him dead? Well I am royalty, and I disagree with you!" "Millerna, I am warning you."
"What Marlene think of this?" Allen cringed at the name, as did Aston. "Don't bring here in to this," he whispered hoarsely. Millerna lifted her chin defiantly. "Marlene loved Allen. She loved him more than anything, and you stand here ready to kill him. I'm glad she's dead. At least she isn't here to witness this." Aston sighed and looked away. "You are right, my daughter. Allen, your life shall be spared. Millerna, you grow wiser each day. Forgive me." Millerna nodded. "You are always forgiven." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merle shoved her and Van's belongings into her satchel. Nicole didn't have many belongings, so she could carry them herself. "Leaving so soon?" She tensed at the voice before turning around. "I have to. If we don't leave, than Van-sama." Blake nodded in understanding. "I know. The rumors have spread throughout the castle." The young feline felt fresh tears fill her eyes. "At first, all I had to worry about was the war, and now." she trailed off, unable to continue.
Blake quickly gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. She buried her face in his shirt and cried quietly. "Shh, it's alright. It's alright," he soothed. Merle sniffed and shut her eyes tightly. "How am I going to get through this without you?" Blake stroked her hair gently, nuzzling her neck. "You will. You're strong, Merle. Stronger than anyone I've ever met." Merle clung to him tightly, scared to let go. "I like you a lot," she mumbled. Blake smiled. "Same here."
She pulled away slightly, and Blake handed her her satchel. She took it, and looked up at him with wide eyes. "Blake." She grabbed his face and crushed her lips against his. He responded, pulling her closer. A moan escaped her mouth as she clung to him, feeling his lips trailing her neck. "I'm going to miss you." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sit down on the bed, unsure of how to wake him and what to say. 'Hey Van, guess what. We have to run away now, because we made a huge mistake.' I sigh and rub my temples. We are so screwed. I let out a whimper at my growing headache, and gasp at the feel of someone's hand touching my arm. "Hey." I look down at my king and force a smile. "Hey you."
He notices my tears and frowns in worry. "What's wrong?" I take his hand in mine and look at him sadly. "Van, we're in trouble." He sits up, his eyes filled with concern. "What happened?" Tears fall from my eyes. "We happened," I answer quietly. His frown deepens. "What do you mean?" I take Van's hand and bring it to my face. "What we did.it's illegal. I'm not royalty, and we're not married. What we did is an act of treason, punishable by death."
He cups my face gently his eyes filling with realization. "We have to run," he mumbles. I nod and push my face deeper into his hand. He notices my distress and lifts my chin to meet his eyes. "Hey. No matter what happens, I don't regret what we did, understand?" I nod, and he presses his forehead against mine. "I'm scared," I confess. He pulls me into his arms and rests his chin on my head. "I know. So am I. But we're going to be fine." I wrap my arms around his waist. "How can you know that?" His arms tighten around me. "I just do."
We stay like that for a moment, taking comfort in each other's arms. He's the first to break the silence. "We have to pack and get to Escaflowne." I nod and pull away. "Right. Merle's packing your things right now, and I don't really have any stuff, so we're okay." I start to move away, but he grabs my arm and turns me to him. "Hey. We are going to be fine. You know that, don't you?" I nod, and close my eyes. He kisses my forehead, then my lips. I wish we could stay like this forever, but we have things to do. I stand up and give Van his clothing. "Get dressed. We should get moving before the guards come." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Allen looked at Millerna gratefully. "So Van's life shall also be spared?" Aston laughed at that, and shook his head. "I cannot possibly allow him to live. He has committed treason, and therefore must be executed." Allen stared at the king angrily. "But you cannot do that!" Aston growled. "Do not defy me on this Allen. I spared your life, so don't make me change my mind."
He looked at his guards, ignoring his daughter's pleading face. "Guards, search the castle for Van Fanel as well as his female companion. They are to be taken alive and brought to me." The guards left obediently. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merle stood by Escaflowne, her worry growing. Where were they? 'Maybe something happened to them,' she thought. She quickly pushed that thought out of her mind. "Merle!" Her ears perked at the voice and she smiled as Van and Nicole appeared. "Van-sama, thank goodness you're alright!" she shouted and glomped him. "Merle, we have to get in Escaflowne now. Do you have everything we need?"
Merle nodded and handed him the bag. He tossed it to Nicole and got into Escaflowne. It turned into its dragon-mode, and he motioned for them to get in. Merle sat in the back while Nicole sat behind Van, her arms around his waist. "Stop!" Van glanced down and saw the guards rushing at them. "Van, this would be a very good time to leave," Nicole whispered harshly. Van nodded and Escaflowne took flight.
The guards watched in a mixture of horror and awe as the dragon flew out of the hangar. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We have the dragon in sight, Dilandau-sama." Dilandau nodded and looked at the screen. He studied the image of his former love holding on to Van tightly. A smile tugged at his lips. She would have to be killed too. Pity. "Shoot them down," he ordered. "But the source is on Escaflowne," Folken reminded him. Dilandau shrugged. "It doesn't matter anymore. Shoot them all down."
Folken frowned at the pyro's cold behavior. Ever since he had that talk with Dornkirk, his concern for the source disappeared. 'It couldn't be.has Dilandau given up his love for her? Is it even possible? Dornkirk, what have you done?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm holding onto Van tightly as we soar through the cold night air. "Where are we going?" I ask. I feel Van shrug. "I don't know. Somewhere where no one will find us." I lay my head against his back, glancing at the scenery around us. It's beautiful here. Trees, lakes, mountains, a ball of fire.
Wait a second. A ball of fire? My eyes widen as I realize what it is. "Van, to your left!" I scream. I hear him gasp and shut my eyes tightly. Escaflowne turns sharply, and I hear Merle scream in terror. She's hanging on to Escaflowne's side, her eyes wide. I grab onto her hand and pull her back inside. "Van, hurry!" I shout. "I'm trying!" I hold Merle against me, one arm still around Van's waist. The young feline is trembling, and I pray she doesn't go into shock.
"Oh God, Van, Merle's going into shock! We have to land!" I hear Van shout in frustration as we dodge another attack. "Dammit!" he curses. We make another sharp turn and I scream as I feel my body being thrusted painfully. "Van, please!" Merle's still trembling, and I hold her more tightly. "We're going to land in the forest! Hold on tight!" I shut my eyes tightly, feeling my stomach drop.
I scream as I feel Escaflowne hit the ground. Dust swirls around us and quickly clears. I open my eyes and see Van shaking slightly. "Are you two alright?" he asks. I look down at Merle, and she looks up at me. Her eyes begin to water, and she lets out a sob. "I was so scared!" she cries and latches on to me. I look at Van and nod. "We're fine." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few hours pass, and Merle's cries have reduced to sniffles. Van has made a fire and it's blazing gently. I cradle Merle in my arms, and smooth her hair. I look over at Van. He's staring into the fire intently. I sigh, listening to Merle's hiccups. "Shh, it's okay," I whisper.
What can I do to help calm her? What can I do? I smile as a thought enters my mind. "Who's watchin' over me? Must be a guardian angel. I just need time to breathe. And give my life the best of me." I sing softly. Merle's hiccups soon fade, and I hold her sleeping form in my arms. I glance over at Van, and catch him looking at me. Smiling gently, I continue. "Suddenly you're in this fight alone. Steppin' out into the great unknown. And the night's the hardest time, when the doubts run through your mind. 'Cause suddenly you find yourself alone. Suddenly I found myself."
Van is now sitting beside me, and my head is resting on his shoulder. I close my eyes, and let sleep enter my body. He whispers something in my ear, and I reply in kind.
2 Be Continued.
By Siren
Wow, I'm suddenly getting some reviews. Damn. Um, thanks. Anyway, here's the next chapter. ^_^ I don't Leann Rimes' 'Suddenly' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's raining outside. I always loved the sound of the rain. It was always so soothing and gentle. I smile softly in the darkness of my room. I absently brush my hand over the arm around my waist. I remember the past few hours and my smile grows. Van admitted that he loved me. I never expected to hear those words from him. I mean, here I am in Gaea, and I have the love of a king.
I inhale deeply, catching his scent. Wild flowers and fields.Van's scent. I blink, new worries entering my mind. We weren't married; would Van get in trouble? I'm not royalty, so was this even legal? I smirk at the sound of his gentle snoring, forgetting everything for a moment. I'm still restless, and I need to move around a bit. I sit up, holding the covers to my chest. Clothes would be nice right now. Okay, shirt, corset, boots, pants.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and hear Van groan in protest. I turn around and gently run my fingers through his hair. He seems to calm a bit, and I resume my task of getting dressed. Now fully dressed, I stand up and shake my head, letting my unruly hair fall in front of my eyes. "Where.where are you.?" I look at my slumbering king and kiss his cheek. "Just going for a walk. Don't worry."
I pull the covers over him, and leave the room. I turn around only to come face to face with Merle. Her eyes are wide and filled with regret. "Um, we have to talk," she whispers. I frown at her serious attitude. "What's wrong?" Merle pulls me into the hallway, and looks at my room nervously. "King Aston knows about you two. I don't know how, he just does. Lord Van's in trouble." My breath catches in my throat and I shake my head. "What are you talking about?"
Tears spring to Merle's eyes as she explains. "You're not royalty, and you're not married. Because of this, Van has committed treason against Fanalia. He could be killed for this. We have to leave immiedietly, or else we'll all be killed." I blink, my head spinning with this new information. "I'll go wake up Van. You go pack our stuff, and we'll meet you in the hangar." She nods and scampers away. I quickly go into my room, my eyes filling with tears. I've ruined everything for him. Oh God, Van I'm so sorry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Allen Schezar, I have called you here because of a very serious matter."
The heavenly knight looked up at his king in curiosity. "Please tell me what troubles you, milord." King Aston looked at the knight and nodded. "It regards the king of Fanalia, and the child from distant lands." Allen felt his pulse quicken in worry. "What about them?" Aston cleared his throat. "Our sources say that he and the girl have become intimate. That is grounds for treason, punishable by death."
Allen felt his eyes widen in shock. He and the others had known about the relationship between Van and the girl, but how did the king find out? "Are you sure that your source is reliable?" The king's eyes narrowed. "You question my judgment?" Allen shook his head. "No milord. It's just that, well, the king of Fanalia respects the laws. I find it hard to believe that he would disobey them." Aston waved his hand in disagreement. "That king has been a troublemaker since the beginning. He's started a war with our ally, Zaibach, and now he's sleeping with commoners. How pathetic."
"She is not a commoner!" Allen shouted heatedly. Aston lifted an eyebrow and studied the knight. "You are arguing with me, Allen?" The knight felt himself begin to shake with anger. "She is a kind and unique girl. She's not a commoner," he argued. Aston chuckled deeply. "Don't tell me you have feelings for her," he scoffed. Allen stood from his kneeling position, causing the king to gasp. "How dare you! I am a king, and you should kneel in my presence!" Allen clenched his fists tightly. "Forgive me milord, but I do not agree with your laws or your logic."
Aston's face grew red with anger. "Allen Schezar, you have just signed your death warrant!" Allen looked away, bowing his head. "Father, no!" Aston looked at his daughter in surprise. "Go back to your room, Millerna. This does not concern you." The blonde princess held her ground and marched towards him. "How dare you, father! Allen has been a faithful knight of your's for years, and now you wish him dead? Well I am royalty, and I disagree with you!" "Millerna, I am warning you."
"What Marlene think of this?" Allen cringed at the name, as did Aston. "Don't bring here in to this," he whispered hoarsely. Millerna lifted her chin defiantly. "Marlene loved Allen. She loved him more than anything, and you stand here ready to kill him. I'm glad she's dead. At least she isn't here to witness this." Aston sighed and looked away. "You are right, my daughter. Allen, your life shall be spared. Millerna, you grow wiser each day. Forgive me." Millerna nodded. "You are always forgiven." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merle shoved her and Van's belongings into her satchel. Nicole didn't have many belongings, so she could carry them herself. "Leaving so soon?" She tensed at the voice before turning around. "I have to. If we don't leave, than Van-sama." Blake nodded in understanding. "I know. The rumors have spread throughout the castle." The young feline felt fresh tears fill her eyes. "At first, all I had to worry about was the war, and now." she trailed off, unable to continue.
Blake quickly gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. She buried her face in his shirt and cried quietly. "Shh, it's alright. It's alright," he soothed. Merle sniffed and shut her eyes tightly. "How am I going to get through this without you?" Blake stroked her hair gently, nuzzling her neck. "You will. You're strong, Merle. Stronger than anyone I've ever met." Merle clung to him tightly, scared to let go. "I like you a lot," she mumbled. Blake smiled. "Same here."
She pulled away slightly, and Blake handed her her satchel. She took it, and looked up at him with wide eyes. "Blake." She grabbed his face and crushed her lips against his. He responded, pulling her closer. A moan escaped her mouth as she clung to him, feeling his lips trailing her neck. "I'm going to miss you." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sit down on the bed, unsure of how to wake him and what to say. 'Hey Van, guess what. We have to run away now, because we made a huge mistake.' I sigh and rub my temples. We are so screwed. I let out a whimper at my growing headache, and gasp at the feel of someone's hand touching my arm. "Hey." I look down at my king and force a smile. "Hey you."
He notices my tears and frowns in worry. "What's wrong?" I take his hand in mine and look at him sadly. "Van, we're in trouble." He sits up, his eyes filled with concern. "What happened?" Tears fall from my eyes. "We happened," I answer quietly. His frown deepens. "What do you mean?" I take Van's hand and bring it to my face. "What we did.it's illegal. I'm not royalty, and we're not married. What we did is an act of treason, punishable by death."
He cups my face gently his eyes filling with realization. "We have to run," he mumbles. I nod and push my face deeper into his hand. He notices my distress and lifts my chin to meet his eyes. "Hey. No matter what happens, I don't regret what we did, understand?" I nod, and he presses his forehead against mine. "I'm scared," I confess. He pulls me into his arms and rests his chin on my head. "I know. So am I. But we're going to be fine." I wrap my arms around his waist. "How can you know that?" His arms tighten around me. "I just do."
We stay like that for a moment, taking comfort in each other's arms. He's the first to break the silence. "We have to pack and get to Escaflowne." I nod and pull away. "Right. Merle's packing your things right now, and I don't really have any stuff, so we're okay." I start to move away, but he grabs my arm and turns me to him. "Hey. We are going to be fine. You know that, don't you?" I nod, and close my eyes. He kisses my forehead, then my lips. I wish we could stay like this forever, but we have things to do. I stand up and give Van his clothing. "Get dressed. We should get moving before the guards come." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Allen looked at Millerna gratefully. "So Van's life shall also be spared?" Aston laughed at that, and shook his head. "I cannot possibly allow him to live. He has committed treason, and therefore must be executed." Allen stared at the king angrily. "But you cannot do that!" Aston growled. "Do not defy me on this Allen. I spared your life, so don't make me change my mind."
He looked at his guards, ignoring his daughter's pleading face. "Guards, search the castle for Van Fanel as well as his female companion. They are to be taken alive and brought to me." The guards left obediently. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merle stood by Escaflowne, her worry growing. Where were they? 'Maybe something happened to them,' she thought. She quickly pushed that thought out of her mind. "Merle!" Her ears perked at the voice and she smiled as Van and Nicole appeared. "Van-sama, thank goodness you're alright!" she shouted and glomped him. "Merle, we have to get in Escaflowne now. Do you have everything we need?"
Merle nodded and handed him the bag. He tossed it to Nicole and got into Escaflowne. It turned into its dragon-mode, and he motioned for them to get in. Merle sat in the back while Nicole sat behind Van, her arms around his waist. "Stop!" Van glanced down and saw the guards rushing at them. "Van, this would be a very good time to leave," Nicole whispered harshly. Van nodded and Escaflowne took flight.
The guards watched in a mixture of horror and awe as the dragon flew out of the hangar. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We have the dragon in sight, Dilandau-sama." Dilandau nodded and looked at the screen. He studied the image of his former love holding on to Van tightly. A smile tugged at his lips. She would have to be killed too. Pity. "Shoot them down," he ordered. "But the source is on Escaflowne," Folken reminded him. Dilandau shrugged. "It doesn't matter anymore. Shoot them all down."
Folken frowned at the pyro's cold behavior. Ever since he had that talk with Dornkirk, his concern for the source disappeared. 'It couldn't be.has Dilandau given up his love for her? Is it even possible? Dornkirk, what have you done?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm holding onto Van tightly as we soar through the cold night air. "Where are we going?" I ask. I feel Van shrug. "I don't know. Somewhere where no one will find us." I lay my head against his back, glancing at the scenery around us. It's beautiful here. Trees, lakes, mountains, a ball of fire.
Wait a second. A ball of fire? My eyes widen as I realize what it is. "Van, to your left!" I scream. I hear him gasp and shut my eyes tightly. Escaflowne turns sharply, and I hear Merle scream in terror. She's hanging on to Escaflowne's side, her eyes wide. I grab onto her hand and pull her back inside. "Van, hurry!" I shout. "I'm trying!" I hold Merle against me, one arm still around Van's waist. The young feline is trembling, and I pray she doesn't go into shock.
"Oh God, Van, Merle's going into shock! We have to land!" I hear Van shout in frustration as we dodge another attack. "Dammit!" he curses. We make another sharp turn and I scream as I feel my body being thrusted painfully. "Van, please!" Merle's still trembling, and I hold her more tightly. "We're going to land in the forest! Hold on tight!" I shut my eyes tightly, feeling my stomach drop.
I scream as I feel Escaflowne hit the ground. Dust swirls around us and quickly clears. I open my eyes and see Van shaking slightly. "Are you two alright?" he asks. I look down at Merle, and she looks up at me. Her eyes begin to water, and she lets out a sob. "I was so scared!" she cries and latches on to me. I look at Van and nod. "We're fine." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few hours pass, and Merle's cries have reduced to sniffles. Van has made a fire and it's blazing gently. I cradle Merle in my arms, and smooth her hair. I look over at Van. He's staring into the fire intently. I sigh, listening to Merle's hiccups. "Shh, it's okay," I whisper.
What can I do to help calm her? What can I do? I smile as a thought enters my mind. "Who's watchin' over me? Must be a guardian angel. I just need time to breathe. And give my life the best of me." I sing softly. Merle's hiccups soon fade, and I hold her sleeping form in my arms. I glance over at Van, and catch him looking at me. Smiling gently, I continue. "Suddenly you're in this fight alone. Steppin' out into the great unknown. And the night's the hardest time, when the doubts run through your mind. 'Cause suddenly you find yourself alone. Suddenly I found myself."
Van is now sitting beside me, and my head is resting on his shoulder. I close my eyes, and let sleep enter my body. He whispers something in my ear, and I reply in kind.
2 Be Continued.