Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne, Van, or Hitomi. I also don't own any
characters in this chapter. * If only *
A/N: I'm finally getting around to revising another chappie! Sorry with all the delays on my fics... I've had so much to do lately; I just don't seem to have time to work on all these fics... I may have to delete some of them or repost them at a later time. Stay tuned for upcoming details...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 3: Could this be love?
"Allen! You're crushing me!" Hitomi faintly whispered as all the air was squeezed out of her.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Hitomi." Allen mumbled in a disappointed tone as Hitomi walked over to stand by Van when released from Allen's embrace.
Van felt triumphant, when Hitomi walked over to him. Mentally he added up points, 'Van 1, Allen 0.' He smirked, taking her hand.
He then put on his 'monarch look' and said in a royal manner, "I welcome you all to Fanelia. Lady Merle will show you to your chambers where I invite you to change and come down to the ball and dinner." And with that, he whisked off downstairs to see to last minute arrangements.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi knew Van was probably in a hurry to get started, so she dashed off to her bedroom. It took awhile, but with Merle's help, Hitomi was ready.
As she had just finished, she heard a knock on the door and without looking up answered it,
"Oh Van..." but then she bewilderedly looked up and found that she was looking up into the blue eyes of Allen Schezar.
"Hi Allen," was all she could say, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"May I escort you downstairs?" Allen asked her.
"I... I'm sorry Allen, Van is waiting for me, I gotta go!" She broke into a run trying not to trip over her dress.
Hitomi pushed open the door to the dining hall and was surprised to see the sight before her. The hall was decorated quite prettily. There were banners that looked like oversized tarot cards that read 'WELCOME BACK HITOMI!' The decorator's poor Japanese was evident and Hitomi couldn't help but giggle when she read the characters below. Apparently, it was 'HAPPY FISH DAY!' Amazing that Van didn't mention that to her... The chandeliers glimmered in the moonlight seeping in from the windows. There was a snowy white tablecloth covering a table big enough to seat everyone and the entire track team. She felt an arm reach out to touch her shoulder. She slowly turned around to smile at the handsome face of Van.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Allen cursed to himself, 'I don't get it... I have money, influence, looks, charm, a pleasing personality... What does Van have that I don't have? I had hoped she might have gotten over him. Maybe what I feel isn't infatuation... Could it be love?'
* Flashback *
"True, I'm sad that Hitomi's gone. But I'm also happy for her. Happy that she's back in her own world. With her own family. Perhaps I simply saw my little lost sister Selena in Hitomi..."
* End Flahsback *
He quickly silenced his thoughts as he saw a beautiful blonde woman walking down the hallway and quickly caught up to her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van was speechless from Hitomi's beauty. She looked dazzling in a green dress that matched her eyes perfectly. She truly was a vision. He took her arm in his, and led her to the table to sit in the chair next to his own, with Merle already sitting on the other side of him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Merle smiled grinned at the two lovebirds, which were both too nervous to tell the other one how they felt.
'They make a cute couple,' she observed.
'But stupid Schezar might ruin everything if I don't do something.' And she quickly began to formulate a plan.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the servants served the first course, Van didn't concentrate on eating, but on gazing at Hitomi.
'Gods I love her.' He thought to himself.
'How could I have let her go?' He realized why all of a sudden.
'Stupidity…' He inwardly groaned in annoyance.
Hitomi looked around. She felt like someone was watching her, then she saw Van and her cheeks turned red under his gaze. She felt nervous, but she stared back at him. Then, she felt a shove in the ribs from Merle.
"OW! WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR, MERLE?!" She protested as she was knocked out of her chair.
"A tip to you Hitomi. The Fanelian court is obsessed with fancy boring dancing. They'll never accept you unless you get out there. In case you haven't noticed, you and Lord Van are the only ones NOT dancing!" Merle hissed, shoving Hitomi towards the couples on the dance floor.
"Would you like to dance Hitomi?" Allen bluntly asked her.
'Where'd Allen go? I thought we had the whole, VanxHitomi romance thing worked out… I guess not… Better let him down gently…"
"Sorry Allen, but this one is reserved." She smiled and walked over to Van.
Van stood up and led her to the middle of the dance floor, and they began to dance.
Hitomi felt like she was floating while dancing with Van. Her worries and fears seemed to melt away and all that was left was him. His raven locks. Those deep amber eyes. That boyish frame. She noticed he was still wearing his faithful red vest and tan pants. She was relieved he had abandoned his sword for this event. Hitomi doubted that would have gone over well.
Van felt light and free. Hitomi had rejected Allen, so she could dance with him. So far, Van was racking up the points and Allen was still at zero in Hitomi popularity points. They twisted and twirled as they floated around the ballroom.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everyone admired Van and Hitomi's skill in dancing and admitted that they were a perfect match. The men were slightly ruffled that they never got to dance with the lovely Hitomi, especially Allen who stared at the couple with annoyance in his icy blue eyes. Merle and the other woman were a little jealous that Hitomi was keeping Lord Van all to herself, but they tried to ignore it, since they noticed how deeply they were in love. Matchmaker Merle just sighed and hoped they'd admit their feelings to one another, so she could start on her next matchmaking case. She spotted Millerna and Dryden, sitting awkwardly near a bay window and realized they needed her immediate attention.
'Sorry Lord Van, but those two morons are as hopeless as you and Hitomi!' She meowed and headed off to set up another match meant to be.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That night, once the ball had ended, Van and Hitomi sat in chairs on a balcony, admiring the brilliant blue sky, gleaming with stars. Wild rose vines twined up the trellis, and the beautiful red flowers seemed to glow in the moonlight. There was a full moon that seemed to make Hitomi's eyes gleam all the brighter. The Fanelian forests lay below and the cries of wolf people could be heard. Perhaps Rhum was coming for a visit. Hitomi noticed the many dragon charms surrounding the castle. She supposed they were to make sure no dragons interrupted the ball. It was hard to believe that the people of Gaea believed they'd ward off dragons. Would they chase Van away? He had been bonded with Escaflowne after all…
Van stared into her eyes and knew that now was the perfect time to tell her how he felt.
"Hitomi, I love you..." he began, but when he turned around, he saw that Hitomi was fast asleep, and probably hadn't heard a word he had said. He sighed, but knew another opportunity to express his feelings would arise eventually. He picked up her sleeping form, and carried her to her room. He took off her shoes and tucked her in.
"Goodnight, my love." He whispered as he brushed back her bangs and gently kissed her forehead before blowing out the solitary candle on her nightstand and closing her door behind him.
"Goodnight."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today, Merle would put her plan into action. She grinned in triumphant after she'd delivered her "gifts" to the three people she'd targeted on last night. Millerna and Dryden didn't seem to need any help. She looked out the window and noticed them holding hands as they strolled about the gardens. Yep, there'd be a 2nd wedding in no time. And maybe this time the marriage would work out. Allen was through stalking Millerna, now he was after Hitomi again!
'WHY CAN'T HE GO MARRY PRINCESS ERIES OR SOMETHING?!'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Allen awoke, he found a note on the table of his bedroom. He smirked after he had read it.
'From a secret admirer, huh? I bet it's from Hitomi. She's finally seen my worth and given up on that foolish young king.' The note told him to meet her in the marketplace, so that's where he went.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van rubbed the sleep from his eyes and noticed a note from his bedside table. 'Who could it be from?' He wondered to himself. He broke the seal and this is what the letters said:
'Dear Van,
I love you so very much. It is hard to express my feelings in such a form. Meet me on the roof at nine this morning.
Your dearest,
Hitomi'
Van's hands were trembling. Hitomi really did love him? When had fortune chose to return to his side? He hadn't seen it since Balgus had found Merle in the Fanelian town of Irini when he was five. That was when he found his best friend, now he perhaps had a girl to call his own.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi awoke with strange ideas at what had happened the night before. Had Van told her that he loved her?
'No it must have been a dream, a very happy dream.'
She sighed and got up then she noticed one of the beautiful wild roses from the trellis, she placed it in a glass vase and noticed a note beneath it. It was quite similar to the one Van had received and she happily ran towards the stairs to the roof. Was this feeling in her heart of contentment and bliss, love?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van took to the sky as his beautiful wings unfolded. He soared through the sky and alighted upon the roof. There he saw Hitomi, huffing and puffing as she finally reached the top and she grabbed at the railing for support.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'I've really gotta start running again!'
She looked up to see an angel… No… It was an angel with raven hair and reddish-brown eyes… It could only be the one she loved… Van Fanel…
"Hi Van!" She happily greeted him giving him a hug.
"Hello Hitomi!" He said, blushing from her embrace.
Hitomi looked over to see a breakfast picnic set up on the roof nearby and she smiled lovingly at Van for coming up with such an original idea. Van thought the exact same thing about Hitomi. Little did they know that Merle and the cook were conspiring for their romance.
They both quickly dug into the large feast before them. As they munched, they gazed into the other's eyes.
'His eyes are like deep pools of burgundy. He's stolen my heart.'
'They're like emeralds in pools of white. She's the angel I found once again.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile...
"Hitomi! Where are you?" The stupid blonde called throughout the marketplace. 'She must be late,' He thought to himself although it was already noon.
He refused to admit it wasn't her or this was some cruel joke.
(A/N: Sorry, I couldn't resist! I hate Allen!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The two lovers lay on the roof, side by side; watching the sun as it passed through the noonday sky. The birds twittered about as a cat-like figure watched them, growing impatient.
Hitomi nonchalantly bit into a fruit. When she tasted its displeasing flavor, she recognized it immediately.
"It's sour!"
"Piscus haunts you once again, eh Hitomi?" Van grinned at her as he drank his with no sign of displeasure eminent in his expression.
"How can you STAND these?" She asked in disbelief as she threw her own off the roof.
"How can you stand that what's it called? Candy? It's too sweet…"
"We must work on your taste if you prefer that sour concoction to chocolate…" Hitomi commented.
"When I was young, Folken would always tell me stories. Besides Merle, Folken was my best friend. I remember the story he told me that night before he went off to slay the dragon." He smiled thinking of his childhood innocence, and how far away it seemed now.
'When was it I was so young and carefree?'
"Could you tell it to me?" Hitomi asked, since her curiosity had been aroused.
Van blushed as he began:
"Once upon a time, there lived a prince of Fanelia. He had a wise father and a beautiful mother, and had everything he wanted. A brother was born to the parents, and the prince wanted to protect the boy from the pain of war and death. Over time, the baby grew and the prince grew with him. The younger boy often fought with sticks, trying to stab the prince. He was very innocent and hated death and killing. Just like his brother. The prince fell in love with a princess from Asturia who came to visit with her parents, but he was already betrothed and could only admire her from afar. One night, he told her how he felt, but she rejected him, and he felt crushed. Then, his father died, and he had to go through the rite of dragon slaying to become king in his place. He didn't like killing things, but he knew that it was his duty. To his family and his country. The night before his dragon slaying his brother asked him to read him the dragon book.
"Why did he kill the dragon bwother? That was really mean."
The prince didn't know what to say, so he sent the boy to bed.
He left for his slaying the next morning to calls of, "I love you big bwother!"
And, "Take care son! Come home soon!"
The prince smiled as he went on his way. He fought bravely until the end, but the dragon killed him. And his spirit still guards the royal family of Fanelia."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van was very red by now, before he said, "That's what I always believed, that he had died valiantly in battle, until I met him on the Vione. I guess that's why I liked that story. It gave me hope that Folken had died a hero, I didn't realize until his death that most of it was his own story. It's like he knew what was to happen. In the end, I was the one who killed him. And he was ordered to hunt me by Lord Dornkirk. I just realized how horribly truthful that story was. I was so stupid." Van looked up at the clear blue sky and sighed.
"You weren't 'stupid' Van, you believed in Folken, until the very end." She said guiltily thinking of her own brother. Mamoru. The little squirt she fought with when she didn't neglect him.
"Hitomi, I...um..." He was sharply cut off by the stomping of an angry Allen over to where the two lovers sat.
"HITOMI! WHERE WERE YOU? I WAITED FOR FIVE HOURS, AND YOU NEVER SHOWED UP!"
"What are you talking about?" She confusedly asked Allen.
"Dear Allen, I love you dearly and cannot express my affections in a simple letter. Meet me in the marketplace this morning, I will be wearing a green dress. ~Your Secret Love~!" He angrily exclaimed. She was definitely lying.
"How do you know it was Hitomi who wrote that note?" Van questioned.
Allen was at a loss for words and Van smirked at his overconfidence of every Gaen woman's infatuation with him.
Hitomi grabbed Van's arm, and led him away, while Van blushed profusely.
"If I can't have her, then neither will he!" Allen swore to himself as he stomped off.
An evil spirit overcame the blonde haired knight Caeli. It blocked out all reason. Nothing could overcome it. Not his love for Princess Eries. Not his care for his sister Selena. Not his duty to Asturia. He was obsessed with the idea that Hitomi was to be his. He had to do something about it.
A/N:
Dragon charms- According to Gaean legend, the spinning whistles give off sound frequencies that ward off dragons. Fanelia is (in)famous for its many dragons, not all of which are appreciative of other species invading their territory.
(The whirly things the wolf people held on their way to Fanelia's capital.)
Go to http://www.animerica-mag.com/features/escaflowneqa.html for all the questions you've ever had about Esca.
Interesting. What is Allen going to do? Well, find out in the next chapter! R&R! Arigato and Sayonara! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~
A/N: I'm finally getting around to revising another chappie! Sorry with all the delays on my fics... I've had so much to do lately; I just don't seem to have time to work on all these fics... I may have to delete some of them or repost them at a later time. Stay tuned for upcoming details...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 3: Could this be love?
"Allen! You're crushing me!" Hitomi faintly whispered as all the air was squeezed out of her.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Hitomi." Allen mumbled in a disappointed tone as Hitomi walked over to stand by Van when released from Allen's embrace.
Van felt triumphant, when Hitomi walked over to him. Mentally he added up points, 'Van 1, Allen 0.' He smirked, taking her hand.
He then put on his 'monarch look' and said in a royal manner, "I welcome you all to Fanelia. Lady Merle will show you to your chambers where I invite you to change and come down to the ball and dinner." And with that, he whisked off downstairs to see to last minute arrangements.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi knew Van was probably in a hurry to get started, so she dashed off to her bedroom. It took awhile, but with Merle's help, Hitomi was ready.
As she had just finished, she heard a knock on the door and without looking up answered it,
"Oh Van..." but then she bewilderedly looked up and found that she was looking up into the blue eyes of Allen Schezar.
"Hi Allen," was all she could say, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"May I escort you downstairs?" Allen asked her.
"I... I'm sorry Allen, Van is waiting for me, I gotta go!" She broke into a run trying not to trip over her dress.
Hitomi pushed open the door to the dining hall and was surprised to see the sight before her. The hall was decorated quite prettily. There were banners that looked like oversized tarot cards that read 'WELCOME BACK HITOMI!' The decorator's poor Japanese was evident and Hitomi couldn't help but giggle when she read the characters below. Apparently, it was 'HAPPY FISH DAY!' Amazing that Van didn't mention that to her... The chandeliers glimmered in the moonlight seeping in from the windows. There was a snowy white tablecloth covering a table big enough to seat everyone and the entire track team. She felt an arm reach out to touch her shoulder. She slowly turned around to smile at the handsome face of Van.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Allen cursed to himself, 'I don't get it... I have money, influence, looks, charm, a pleasing personality... What does Van have that I don't have? I had hoped she might have gotten over him. Maybe what I feel isn't infatuation... Could it be love?'
* Flashback *
"True, I'm sad that Hitomi's gone. But I'm also happy for her. Happy that she's back in her own world. With her own family. Perhaps I simply saw my little lost sister Selena in Hitomi..."
* End Flahsback *
He quickly silenced his thoughts as he saw a beautiful blonde woman walking down the hallway and quickly caught up to her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van was speechless from Hitomi's beauty. She looked dazzling in a green dress that matched her eyes perfectly. She truly was a vision. He took her arm in his, and led her to the table to sit in the chair next to his own, with Merle already sitting on the other side of him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Merle smiled grinned at the two lovebirds, which were both too nervous to tell the other one how they felt.
'They make a cute couple,' she observed.
'But stupid Schezar might ruin everything if I don't do something.' And she quickly began to formulate a plan.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the servants served the first course, Van didn't concentrate on eating, but on gazing at Hitomi.
'Gods I love her.' He thought to himself.
'How could I have let her go?' He realized why all of a sudden.
'Stupidity…' He inwardly groaned in annoyance.
Hitomi looked around. She felt like someone was watching her, then she saw Van and her cheeks turned red under his gaze. She felt nervous, but she stared back at him. Then, she felt a shove in the ribs from Merle.
"OW! WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR, MERLE?!" She protested as she was knocked out of her chair.
"A tip to you Hitomi. The Fanelian court is obsessed with fancy boring dancing. They'll never accept you unless you get out there. In case you haven't noticed, you and Lord Van are the only ones NOT dancing!" Merle hissed, shoving Hitomi towards the couples on the dance floor.
"Would you like to dance Hitomi?" Allen bluntly asked her.
'Where'd Allen go? I thought we had the whole, VanxHitomi romance thing worked out… I guess not… Better let him down gently…"
"Sorry Allen, but this one is reserved." She smiled and walked over to Van.
Van stood up and led her to the middle of the dance floor, and they began to dance.
Hitomi felt like she was floating while dancing with Van. Her worries and fears seemed to melt away and all that was left was him. His raven locks. Those deep amber eyes. That boyish frame. She noticed he was still wearing his faithful red vest and tan pants. She was relieved he had abandoned his sword for this event. Hitomi doubted that would have gone over well.
Van felt light and free. Hitomi had rejected Allen, so she could dance with him. So far, Van was racking up the points and Allen was still at zero in Hitomi popularity points. They twisted and twirled as they floated around the ballroom.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Everyone admired Van and Hitomi's skill in dancing and admitted that they were a perfect match. The men were slightly ruffled that they never got to dance with the lovely Hitomi, especially Allen who stared at the couple with annoyance in his icy blue eyes. Merle and the other woman were a little jealous that Hitomi was keeping Lord Van all to herself, but they tried to ignore it, since they noticed how deeply they were in love. Matchmaker Merle just sighed and hoped they'd admit their feelings to one another, so she could start on her next matchmaking case. She spotted Millerna and Dryden, sitting awkwardly near a bay window and realized they needed her immediate attention.
'Sorry Lord Van, but those two morons are as hopeless as you and Hitomi!' She meowed and headed off to set up another match meant to be.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That night, once the ball had ended, Van and Hitomi sat in chairs on a balcony, admiring the brilliant blue sky, gleaming with stars. Wild rose vines twined up the trellis, and the beautiful red flowers seemed to glow in the moonlight. There was a full moon that seemed to make Hitomi's eyes gleam all the brighter. The Fanelian forests lay below and the cries of wolf people could be heard. Perhaps Rhum was coming for a visit. Hitomi noticed the many dragon charms surrounding the castle. She supposed they were to make sure no dragons interrupted the ball. It was hard to believe that the people of Gaea believed they'd ward off dragons. Would they chase Van away? He had been bonded with Escaflowne after all…
Van stared into her eyes and knew that now was the perfect time to tell her how he felt.
"Hitomi, I love you..." he began, but when he turned around, he saw that Hitomi was fast asleep, and probably hadn't heard a word he had said. He sighed, but knew another opportunity to express his feelings would arise eventually. He picked up her sleeping form, and carried her to her room. He took off her shoes and tucked her in.
"Goodnight, my love." He whispered as he brushed back her bangs and gently kissed her forehead before blowing out the solitary candle on her nightstand and closing her door behind him.
"Goodnight."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Today, Merle would put her plan into action. She grinned in triumphant after she'd delivered her "gifts" to the three people she'd targeted on last night. Millerna and Dryden didn't seem to need any help. She looked out the window and noticed them holding hands as they strolled about the gardens. Yep, there'd be a 2nd wedding in no time. And maybe this time the marriage would work out. Allen was through stalking Millerna, now he was after Hitomi again!
'WHY CAN'T HE GO MARRY PRINCESS ERIES OR SOMETHING?!'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Allen awoke, he found a note on the table of his bedroom. He smirked after he had read it.
'From a secret admirer, huh? I bet it's from Hitomi. She's finally seen my worth and given up on that foolish young king.' The note told him to meet her in the marketplace, so that's where he went.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van rubbed the sleep from his eyes and noticed a note from his bedside table. 'Who could it be from?' He wondered to himself. He broke the seal and this is what the letters said:
'Dear Van,
I love you so very much. It is hard to express my feelings in such a form. Meet me on the roof at nine this morning.
Your dearest,
Hitomi'
Van's hands were trembling. Hitomi really did love him? When had fortune chose to return to his side? He hadn't seen it since Balgus had found Merle in the Fanelian town of Irini when he was five. That was when he found his best friend, now he perhaps had a girl to call his own.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hitomi awoke with strange ideas at what had happened the night before. Had Van told her that he loved her?
'No it must have been a dream, a very happy dream.'
She sighed and got up then she noticed one of the beautiful wild roses from the trellis, she placed it in a glass vase and noticed a note beneath it. It was quite similar to the one Van had received and she happily ran towards the stairs to the roof. Was this feeling in her heart of contentment and bliss, love?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van took to the sky as his beautiful wings unfolded. He soared through the sky and alighted upon the roof. There he saw Hitomi, huffing and puffing as she finally reached the top and she grabbed at the railing for support.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'I've really gotta start running again!'
She looked up to see an angel… No… It was an angel with raven hair and reddish-brown eyes… It could only be the one she loved… Van Fanel…
"Hi Van!" She happily greeted him giving him a hug.
"Hello Hitomi!" He said, blushing from her embrace.
Hitomi looked over to see a breakfast picnic set up on the roof nearby and she smiled lovingly at Van for coming up with such an original idea. Van thought the exact same thing about Hitomi. Little did they know that Merle and the cook were conspiring for their romance.
They both quickly dug into the large feast before them. As they munched, they gazed into the other's eyes.
'His eyes are like deep pools of burgundy. He's stolen my heart.'
'They're like emeralds in pools of white. She's the angel I found once again.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile...
"Hitomi! Where are you?" The stupid blonde called throughout the marketplace. 'She must be late,' He thought to himself although it was already noon.
He refused to admit it wasn't her or this was some cruel joke.
(A/N: Sorry, I couldn't resist! I hate Allen!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The two lovers lay on the roof, side by side; watching the sun as it passed through the noonday sky. The birds twittered about as a cat-like figure watched them, growing impatient.
Hitomi nonchalantly bit into a fruit. When she tasted its displeasing flavor, she recognized it immediately.
"It's sour!"
"Piscus haunts you once again, eh Hitomi?" Van grinned at her as he drank his with no sign of displeasure eminent in his expression.
"How can you STAND these?" She asked in disbelief as she threw her own off the roof.
"How can you stand that what's it called? Candy? It's too sweet…"
"We must work on your taste if you prefer that sour concoction to chocolate…" Hitomi commented.
"When I was young, Folken would always tell me stories. Besides Merle, Folken was my best friend. I remember the story he told me that night before he went off to slay the dragon." He smiled thinking of his childhood innocence, and how far away it seemed now.
'When was it I was so young and carefree?'
"Could you tell it to me?" Hitomi asked, since her curiosity had been aroused.
Van blushed as he began:
"Once upon a time, there lived a prince of Fanelia. He had a wise father and a beautiful mother, and had everything he wanted. A brother was born to the parents, and the prince wanted to protect the boy from the pain of war and death. Over time, the baby grew and the prince grew with him. The younger boy often fought with sticks, trying to stab the prince. He was very innocent and hated death and killing. Just like his brother. The prince fell in love with a princess from Asturia who came to visit with her parents, but he was already betrothed and could only admire her from afar. One night, he told her how he felt, but she rejected him, and he felt crushed. Then, his father died, and he had to go through the rite of dragon slaying to become king in his place. He didn't like killing things, but he knew that it was his duty. To his family and his country. The night before his dragon slaying his brother asked him to read him the dragon book.
"Why did he kill the dragon bwother? That was really mean."
The prince didn't know what to say, so he sent the boy to bed.
He left for his slaying the next morning to calls of, "I love you big bwother!"
And, "Take care son! Come home soon!"
The prince smiled as he went on his way. He fought bravely until the end, but the dragon killed him. And his spirit still guards the royal family of Fanelia."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Van was very red by now, before he said, "That's what I always believed, that he had died valiantly in battle, until I met him on the Vione. I guess that's why I liked that story. It gave me hope that Folken had died a hero, I didn't realize until his death that most of it was his own story. It's like he knew what was to happen. In the end, I was the one who killed him. And he was ordered to hunt me by Lord Dornkirk. I just realized how horribly truthful that story was. I was so stupid." Van looked up at the clear blue sky and sighed.
"You weren't 'stupid' Van, you believed in Folken, until the very end." She said guiltily thinking of her own brother. Mamoru. The little squirt she fought with when she didn't neglect him.
"Hitomi, I...um..." He was sharply cut off by the stomping of an angry Allen over to where the two lovers sat.
"HITOMI! WHERE WERE YOU? I WAITED FOR FIVE HOURS, AND YOU NEVER SHOWED UP!"
"What are you talking about?" She confusedly asked Allen.
"Dear Allen, I love you dearly and cannot express my affections in a simple letter. Meet me in the marketplace this morning, I will be wearing a green dress. ~Your Secret Love~!" He angrily exclaimed. She was definitely lying.
"How do you know it was Hitomi who wrote that note?" Van questioned.
Allen was at a loss for words and Van smirked at his overconfidence of every Gaen woman's infatuation with him.
Hitomi grabbed Van's arm, and led him away, while Van blushed profusely.
"If I can't have her, then neither will he!" Allen swore to himself as he stomped off.
An evil spirit overcame the blonde haired knight Caeli. It blocked out all reason. Nothing could overcome it. Not his love for Princess Eries. Not his care for his sister Selena. Not his duty to Asturia. He was obsessed with the idea that Hitomi was to be his. He had to do something about it.
A/N:
Dragon charms- According to Gaean legend, the spinning whistles give off sound frequencies that ward off dragons. Fanelia is (in)famous for its many dragons, not all of which are appreciative of other species invading their territory.
(The whirly things the wolf people held on their way to Fanelia's capital.)
Go to http://www.animerica-mag.com/features/escaflowneqa.html for all the questions you've ever had about Esca.
Interesting. What is Allen going to do? Well, find out in the next chapter! R&R! Arigato and Sayonara! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~