Well here's the third Chapter for all of you to read. I would like to thank all who reviewed me once again. You guys are the best. Your reviews keep me going. Sorry if the next few chapters seem slow and dragged out. It is taking me time to get to the actual plot. I also would like to say that sadly I do not own Escaflowne although it would be nice to. Well here it goes. Please r and r! Suggestions are always welcome!









Chapter 3: Plotting and Visions







It had been a few months since, everyone had found out the wonderful news of Van and Hitomi's child, and things were going just as planned. Hitomi was doing well, and excitement kept building higher and higher in the kingdom. The king and queen kept getting gifts and sweet letters of luck and prosperity with their small child that was on the way. The two had never felt so happy. Lately, they had been taking some time off to spend together. It was nice for them.

One fall night, while sitting on the balcony outside, they got talking about Allen. They had both noticed that he hadn't been around lately, and they never did figure out how he felt about them having a child. They were curious to what he had been up to and was wondering why he was ignoring them.

"Van? Do you think he's angry with us or something?"

"Hitomi, How could that be. We didn't do anything."

"I don't know. It's just strange for Allen to just all of a sudden pull a disappearing act on us."

"I know what you're saying. Maybe he's just a busy little night. It's getting cold out here and it's starting to get late. You need to sleep and keep well so maybe it's best we go inside and sleep now where it's warm." Hitomi smiled at him and took his hand to go inside.

"Oh Van, You are such a wonderful husband."

"I know love, I know." Van said with great dignity while tucking Hitomi and he in to bed. He placed a sweet kiss on her lips and they both said their sweet goodnights.



In a place unknown, Allen sat in a large empty room. He sat with a book in hand. He was concocting a potion that would make Hitomi sleep. As she slept, her memories would slowly disappear from her mind. This would give him the chance to take her while she slept, and also give him the chance to try to create new memories with her. He wanted to make her believe that she was his from the beginning. He wanted to erase everything that her and Van shared. To make Hitomi believe that the child that she was carrying was his. This potion was the one thing that would help him with his plan of keeping her all to himself. That's if things went as smoothly as he hoped they would. He knew he had to get revenge. Revenge on Van for stealing the girl that he loved.

"Hahaha you think you have won Van. You are wrong! After I am finished waiting for this stupid potion to finish, I will have her back. Her and your precious unborn child. The child that will become mine!" With that statement, Allen laughed one very evil laugh. He had an evil kind of crazed look in his eyes. A look that had never been seen on his face before that night. Things would all be the way he wanted them to be soon and he couldn't wait. Soon Hitomi would be his and Van would be devastated and feel the searing pains of loneliness that Allen had felt for all of these years.

All of these years of watching them be so happy together. For so long, he had wished that it was him that she was happy with. Finally, just finally, his wish was going to come true. Even if he was cheating out real love, he had to do this. He had to let her know how much he loved her. Maybe someday, he would let Van see her again, but he doubted it. All he wanted was her. At this point, he didn't care if he seemed selfish. Allen always got what he wanted and always won battles. No matter if it was love, or a sword fight. This was no different. He would win this once and for all.



**** Hitomi's Dream***

Thunder clapped loudly and everything was shaking violently. Hitomi was running. Running fast and aimlessly. She could not figure out why and what she was running from, but a voice in her head kept telling her to run. Run, run, run! She kept going until she couldn't run anymore. She collapsed to the violently shaking ground. As she lay there, she felt two strong arms snatch her up and couldn't see who it was. She only knew that it couldn't be good. They were so strong, so cold.

"Hey, let me go! Who are you! Please let go!"

"I don't think so little missy, you're coming with me."

Hitomi tried to scream, tried to kick away from his tight grasp. When she tried to scream, nothing happened. When she tried to kick the man, her legs would not move. She was paralyzed in fear of him. Would he kill her? All she wanted to do was run. She wanted Van to save her. Why was this happening? Who was this? What did they want? Where was Van? Why wasn't he saving me?

The thunder got louder and large flashes burned through Hitomi's eyes. She couldn't keep them open any longer. She closed them. When would this stop? Please, oh please let this be a dream. Let me wake up now. Please no more. These thoughts echoed through her mind as he kept carrying her through this darkened place.



***Reality****

"Nooooo!! Please! No, stop! Let me go! Stop it now! Please someone save me!"

Van woke to his wife's violent screams. He knew she was having a dream, but none of her dreams were like this. He knew she had not had a vision in a long time, but for some reason, couldn't shake the thought that this might be one of those. What ever it was, it was bad. She kept screaming and thrashing around. He held on to her thrashing body and whispered in her ear to wake her up. When she came to, she was still shaking violently and sobbing uncontrollably. He waited for her to stop and held her close to him. She just berried herself in his chest and cried. He thought that it would never stop. Finally, she calmed down enough to talk to him.

"Hitomi, what happened? You have to tell me what happened."

"Oh Van, it was so horrible. A faceless man took me from you. It was so dark, so frightening. I… I just… I can't talk about this! Please, just let me go for a walk. I need to clear my head."

Without even getting to say anything to her, she jumped from his gentle arms, and took off. He was definitely worried about her, and intended in watching her closely for the next while.



Hitomi ran from the castle. She didn't want her husband to follow her. She just wanted to be alone. There was something about that dream that was not like any other that she'd had in a while. She knew deep in side that it was a vision, but did not want to admit it to herself. She had lived with such peace and contentment for so long. No horrible visions to haunt her. Why were they back?

This was a thought that she just couldn't let go of. She kept walking and walking until she reached a forest. She decided to keep walking through it because she was not ready to turn back yet. She needed to clear her head before going to see Van. She hated seeing him worry about her, and she knew, if he found out that it was a vision, that he would never leave her alone. He would be asking her about every dream she had and every move she made. She didn't want that. In her mind, he had better things to worry about other than her stupid vision or dream that probably meant nothing. Deep inside though, Hitomi knew something was going to happen. The thing was, what was it and when was it going to happen?

As she walked, she looked at all the beauty that Fanelia had to offer. She had always loved this place because of it's beauty. It was like it was a place from a ferry tale. Watching all the beauty always calmed her, and it was working as it usually did. After about 3 hours of walking, she decided to rest before she turned back to go home. After her rest, she headed home. She was sure by now that Van would be in a fit and ready to send the whole Fanelian army after her, and she didn't want to cause a fuss.

When she reached the castle, she ran to find Van. He was waiting for her. He looked worried as she thought he would.

"Hitomi are you alright?

"Yes Van, I'm fine. Stop worrying. I'm sure that it was just a stupid dream. Plus, the walk did me some good. I needed it. It was a good way to clear my head and I love Fanelia's beauty. I wanted to bask in it for a while by myself."

"What ever you say my love."







To Be Continued....