Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne
A/N Changed the title I know and I hope you all enjoy the beginning. I have plenty of time so I'll have another chapter up soon. Oh and hey I know I must not be smart but i tried putting the song in italics but no matter what i save it as fanfiction won't let it show up as italics!! ggrrrness! so if someone knows what I'm doing wrong or what i can do to fix it and would tell me i would be very grateful! Thanks!
The melody floated on the wisps of the wind twisting with the billows....
"Life is a journey with love in hand
Secrets kept and hearts broken
Out in the rain whispers lived
Hope was always the true friend
You have captured my love completely
And life's journey isn't so hard now
Thank you for the time we spent
And thank you for the memories made
My love fight the fog
Follow the tears and blood
Listen for the song in the night
And together we'll fly free"
The enchanting tune slowed to a stop and the birds chirped in the warm afternoon sun. Tiny tugs of the wind pulled on thin shreds of grass sending the scent of nature into the air. The soft breeze drowned out the rustling of the leaves in the forests far off. An abrupt clapping broke the peaceful flow.
"That was beautiful! I've never heard you sing that Hitomi, where did you learn it?" the listerner inquired.
The listener had curly golden locks pulled back in a ponytail bound by a pink ribbon. She was wearing a pale pink summer dress that seemed only to enhance her bright blue eyes and her smile was playful and caring.
"My mother used to sing it to me whenever I got scared"
The other young lady by the name of Hitomi was athletically built and wore a light blue dress that brought out her emerald eyes. Her short honey brown hair was dancing in the wind only adding to the mysterious peace surrounding her.
Millerna smiled at her lady in waiting and best friend, "It's amazing"
"Thank you Princess"
"Don't start with the royal junk Hito-chan," Millerna frowned popping another grape in her mouth
Hitomi munched on her cheese smiling to her friend all the while. Silence settled over the little picnic while the two friends simply enjoyed nature's beauty. Hitomi ran her hand over the soft grass of the field and felt the joy bubble up in her as the sweet scent of fields wafted past her nose.
Millerna shook her head at her friend and fell back against the earth closing her eyes. Hitomi always found every bit of nature beautiful from the tiniest bug to the tallest oak. She was just happy to be basking in the sun of the hills instead of signing papers in the castle. The fields were so open and inviting today that she hadn't been able to resist coming for a picnic.
Forests could be seen off in the distance to the west and to the east. South were more fields and north was Liara. Millerna sighed content with the temporary escape and felt the pulls of sleep attack her poor body. She was about to drift off when the soft clop of horse's hooves disrupted the peaceful rhythm of nature.
Millerna groaned in frustration and rolled onto her side. Hitomi looked up and smiled, poor Millerna was just beginning to relax.
A team of horses rode into view followed by a lavish carriage. The finest cedar had been carved and decorated with precious gems to create the extravagant carriage for the girls. The driver pulled on the reins and the horses whinnied to a stop right beside the little picnic sight.
The driver was an elderly man with shoulder length gray hair pulled back into a ponytail. His eyes sparkled when he smiled at the pair as he hopped down from the driver seat.
"Hello Tom," Hitomi stood and straightened her skirt.
"Good afternoon lady Hitomi," Tom bowed to the girl and then turned to Millerna
Millerna opened her eyes and saw the man raise his eyebrows and gesture to the carriage.
"Oh I know I was just enjoying myself a few more minutes"
Tom smirked and turned to open the carriage doors. Millerna rose and walked up the tiny steps into the velvet seats of the two-person carriage. Hitomi gathered up the food and folded the blanket. Tom fastened the supplies to the back of the carriage and climbed back up to his seat after closing the door behind Hitomi. Grabbing the reins he gave them a pull and steered the horses back the way they had come.
Millerna leaned back against the silk pillows sewn in just above the seats for their comfort and closed her eyes. Hitomi pulled the curtains back from the windows and watched as the fields disappeared. The carriage slowed a little as it climbed to the top of the hill. Hitomi smiled as Liara appeared and the carriage began it's decent.
"No one will ever love this kingdom like you Hitomi," Millerna smiled and shook her head at her best friend.
"You might be right," Hitomi replied winking at the princess and turning back to the view
Said kingdom rode into view as the carriage galloped onward. Liara was a very wealthy and powerful kingdom. They have never had to use their force to prove the point but the army was always ready. Liara was the lead in trade as well as Gaia's hottest tourist attraction.
Guests were always stunned by it's beauty and never wanted to leave. Nature was a part of the vast kingdom. Trees, bushes, and all number of flowers would surround the houses and stands in the market. A river ran through the majestic kingdom oddly enough just through the middle of the village making a great water source for the people.
The soft pound of hooves against soft grass shifted to the loud click of hooves against cobblestone as they entered the market.
The market was bustling with people and voices soon drowned out the horse's hooves. Stands lined the street on both sides and Hitomi waved to the people as they drove through. The market soon disappeared and Hitomi marveled at the palace as she always did.
The alabaster walls of the palace were lined with emeralds and sapphires. But that wasn't what could steal your breath. The history of Liara was painted on the walls of the castle.
People, leaders and events in the past of the marvelous kingdom were all painted on the outside walls. Hitomi loved studying the delicate drawings covering practically every inch of the mighty palace that rose up into the sky to tower over the rest of the kingdom.
She drifted from the paintings to the people in the many windows of the palace. Servants and nobles alike could be seen in every window either laughing or working. The carriage stopped as the mighty bronze gates swung open leading into the courtyard in front of the palace doors.
The horses started up again and rode a good 60 feet before stopping in front of the intimidating palace. Hitomi pushed the door open and jumped down the steps. Millerna wasn't as enthusiastic to see the palace as Hitomi was and therefore followed slowly. Tom nodded to them both and drove the carriage off to the stables.
Millerna smiled and turned to face the oncoming maids. Hitomi was still looking at the palace disappear in the clouds high above. Millerna grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her along.
"You've seen the palace's height for 16 solid years and it still amazes you?"
"Every time," Hitomi answered laughing as her friend quickly urged her in through the palace doors.
"Let's hurry to mother's solar before-"
Millerna frowned and stopped her sentence just as the group of servants caught up to them.
"Your Majesty we have a few messages for you!" one servant called
Hitomi patted Millerna's back and turned her around to face the servants.
"Your father wishes to see you in his study immediately," one young maid announced
"Marriage stuff again," she whispered to Hitomi who gave her annoyed look in return.
"Not again"
Two new maids stepped up and held two dresses out, "The dresses for the ball are finished Milady"
"The ball is in a month, and they finish them now?" Millerna whispered to Hitomi and thanked the maids.
Another servant stepped up and bowed, "And we have a guest your majesty"
"Who?"
"King Allen Schezar of Asturia"
Millerna blushed, "Thank you, dismissed"
The servants all hurried away and Millerna straightened her dress ignoring Hitomi's laughter.
"Father wants me to press about my marriage most likely but what could King Allen want?"
"You," Hitomi laughed again
"Oh hush Hitomi! He hasn't offered a proposal of marriage yet!"
Millerna glared at the laughing form of Hitomi one more time before heading up the stairs to her right. Hitomi cleared her throat plastering a huge smile on her face before following Millerna to her father's study. The girls traveled down a few halls before finally reaching the large oak door. Gold letters labeled the room, 'His Majesties Study'.
Hitomi opened the door and walked in Millerna following.
Advisors surrounded the desk as King Aston drew lines here and there and pointed to things on the map. When Millerna cleared her throat the King's head snapped up and he grinned.
"Dismissed gentlemen"
The advisors nodded and bustled out of the study shutting the door as they went. King Aston circled the desk and hugged Millerna kissing both her cheeks. He repeated the motion with Hitomi and then gestured for them to sit.
"Now Millerna I've narrowed the suitors down to two."
Millerna rolled her eyes to Hitomi and the girls both made gagging motions. King Aston laughed and leaned against his desk.
"I know, but it had to happen sometime. Now Millerna I think you'll be glad to hear the suitors and I'm sure I know your answer already but I'll have you say it all the same. They are two recently introduced proposals. From King Allen Schezar of Asturia and one from King Van Slaznar de Fanel of Fanelia."
Millerna's smile absolutely beamed and Hitomi laughed again. Millerna turned the smile to her father and her father nodded.
"Hie yourself up to your mother's solar and tell King Allen of your choice, I'm sure he'll be overjoyed to hear. However you two will be visiting Fanelia this week as planned despite your rejection. King Van had a feeling he would lose to his friend but insisted that you girls visit just the same. He hasn't seen either of you in 10 years and said he would love to see you again."
Millerna jumped up and hugged her father, "Of course papa!"
With that she ran out of the room. Hitomi smiled and stood up hoping to escape before her turn came. But it wasn't to be so.
"No no Hitomi, come back here and sit"
Hitomi sighed and turned to face the king with a pleading look. The king smiled and gestured to the chair. Hitomi moaned in defeat and the king laughed.
"I know, but Hitomi you know I love you like a daughter. You've always been a part of this family and I want to make sure you're well taken care of when I'm gone."
"I know majesty"
"The formalities aren't needed dear"
"I've been looking I just haven't found anyone," Hitomi sunk into the cushions of the chair
"Well what of Prince Charlie of Niteria?"
"He would rather spend his time looking in a mirror"
The king laughed, "True, how about King James of Loren"
"I thought he was engaged to Princess Melissa"
"Nope he called it off"
"Why?"
"She was caught with a lover"
Hitomi gasped, "Oh boy busted"
The king laughed again, "Yes she was, I just want you to think about it. You and Millerna will be leaving for Fanelia tonight please think about this suitor business while you're gone okay?"
"I will"
King Aston smiled and pulled Hitomi up from the chair into a hug, "Good now go finish packing and make sure Millerna finishes"
Hitomi nodded and walked out of the study and up to the solar.
"This is going to be a long evening," she whispered to herself as she opened the door to the solar.
The sun began sinking below the treetops as Hitomi handed the bags to Tom. Evening was settling in and the tiny group was setting off for Fanelia. Normally one wouldn't travel at nightfall but they were in a hurry and Fanelia wasn't that far away. The journey would be swift and easy, the only difficulty involved would separating Millerna and Allen. Hitomi heaved a sigh and turned to face the lovers laughing and smiling at the doors. Straightening her dress she marched up the steps and wrapped her slender fingers around Millerna's wrist and tugged.
Millerna turned to Hitomi and immediately gazed at the setting sun.
"Alright I'm coming Hito-chan," she waved her friend away and Hitomi took the hint and bounded down the steps again.
Queen Aston had just stepped up next to the carriage and was going over safety rules and such with Tom. No matter he had been driving carriages since he was 20, now a man of 50 he may have forgotten some things. Tom just smiled and nodded at everything the Queen said. Hitomi pitied the poor man and stepped in front of him blocking the Queen's view. Luckily the sight of Hitomi was enough to distract her.
"There you are dear child!" the Queen busied forward and pulled Hitomi into a great hug, "Now be careful and hurry home to us"
"I will," Hitomi assured the Queen and returning the hug.
Millerna chastely kissed Allen on the cheek and hurried down the steps to hug her mother goodbye.
"We'll be home soon mother"
The Queen nodded and sniffed holding back her tears.
"Oh don't cry mother we'll return soon," and with that Millerna shut the carriage door.
"Move out men!!"
The captain of the guard's voice boomed out the orders and the soldiers in the front started out towards Fanelia. Tom pulled on the reins and snapped them to get the horses going. The great crack startled them into a gallop and along with the soldiers guarding the rear the small group set off for the powerful kingdom of Fanelia.
Hitomi leaned against her window and pulled the curtains up as custom and stared at the disappearing palace. Millerna smiled to herself and leaned back against the cushions.
"Well Allen isn't sure he likes the idea of my practice but I think with a little more coaxing he'll let me continue my study to be a doctor"
Hitomi gasped and turned to her friend, "Really? The man is a womanizer I didn't think he would let you do it"
"Hitomi!! Don't say that he's my future husband!"
Hitomi laughed, "Saints have mercy to you sister"
Millerna smacked her and Hitomi laughed harder sticking her head out the window. Jutting her hand out she waved to Allen and the King and Queen. They waved back and the Queen blew a kiss. Hitomi pulled her hand back in and let the wind beat against her face sending her hair into fits. The loud snap of the galloping horses was truly a deafening sound and she was considering settling herself back inside the carriage. But something gnawed at her instincts. Something told her to look her fill of the beautiful kingdom of Liara, so she did.
She studied the fading lines of the immaculate drawings covering the palace walls. She imprinted the faces of the loved ones disappearing over the tops of market stands. And finally she imprinted the breath taking view of Liara as a whole when it glowed in the setting sun. The kingdom vanished from her sight as the carriage took a sharp right into the forest. Hitomi closed the curtain and tied them down. Millerna was already sleeping stretched out in her large seat. Hitomi unrolled one of the blankets they had inside and billowed it out before covering her up. Millerna smiled while Hitomi tucked it around over her shoulders and under her chin.
"Arigatou Hito-chan,"
Hitomi patted Millerna on the shoulders and leaned over to tie down the curtains on the other window. Once that was finished and everything was settled she leaned back in her own little bed.
Sixteen years she had lived in the blossoming kingdom of Liara. She had often visited other kingdoms with Millerna but it never felt like this. Maybe it was because they were leaving at night. She couldn't quite place her finger on it but she had a nagging and particularly unnerving feeling that something, she didn't know what, just something wasn't right.
Shaking away the nervous thoughts Hitomi let out a light breath skywards to move the hair dangling in front of her eyes. And as much as she fought her thoughts drifted to memories of old as she relaxed in the bumpy carriage.
Hitomi my child, never forget my love for you.
Her mother's dieing words had haunted her for years. Kind though they were her voice had just been so raspy and chilled.
Even more haunting was her mother's dieing tune. She hummed the song she used to sing to Hitomi as a child as death's shadows came over her. The tune had finished on her dieing lips which was probably one of the reasons Hitomi had never sang the song for Millerna until today.
Hitomi let out a great heave of a sigh and stretched out on the velvet cushions and let the bump of the carriage soothe her to sleep.
"My love fight the fog, follow the tears and blood, listen for the song in the night, and together we'll fly free…."
Hitomi whispered the ending verse inside the luxurious carriage and went to sleep humming the song to herself.
The group was riding threw the forest none stop to Fanelia. Tom smiled as he heard the ending verse of Hitomi's song float from the carriage.
"Good night Hitomi," he whispered as he leaned back into his little seat.
The forest grew silent with the night; the only sound notable was the clop of the horses as the party rode on through.
A/N Changed the title I know and I hope you all enjoy the beginning. I have plenty of time so I'll have another chapter up soon. Oh and hey I know I must not be smart but i tried putting the song in italics but no matter what i save it as fanfiction won't let it show up as italics!! ggrrrness! so if someone knows what I'm doing wrong or what i can do to fix it and would tell me i would be very grateful! Thanks!
The melody floated on the wisps of the wind twisting with the billows....
"Life is a journey with love in hand
Secrets kept and hearts broken
Out in the rain whispers lived
Hope was always the true friend
You have captured my love completely
And life's journey isn't so hard now
Thank you for the time we spent
And thank you for the memories made
My love fight the fog
Follow the tears and blood
Listen for the song in the night
And together we'll fly free"
The enchanting tune slowed to a stop and the birds chirped in the warm afternoon sun. Tiny tugs of the wind pulled on thin shreds of grass sending the scent of nature into the air. The soft breeze drowned out the rustling of the leaves in the forests far off. An abrupt clapping broke the peaceful flow.
"That was beautiful! I've never heard you sing that Hitomi, where did you learn it?" the listerner inquired.
The listener had curly golden locks pulled back in a ponytail bound by a pink ribbon. She was wearing a pale pink summer dress that seemed only to enhance her bright blue eyes and her smile was playful and caring.
"My mother used to sing it to me whenever I got scared"
The other young lady by the name of Hitomi was athletically built and wore a light blue dress that brought out her emerald eyes. Her short honey brown hair was dancing in the wind only adding to the mysterious peace surrounding her.
Millerna smiled at her lady in waiting and best friend, "It's amazing"
"Thank you Princess"
"Don't start with the royal junk Hito-chan," Millerna frowned popping another grape in her mouth
Hitomi munched on her cheese smiling to her friend all the while. Silence settled over the little picnic while the two friends simply enjoyed nature's beauty. Hitomi ran her hand over the soft grass of the field and felt the joy bubble up in her as the sweet scent of fields wafted past her nose.
Millerna shook her head at her friend and fell back against the earth closing her eyes. Hitomi always found every bit of nature beautiful from the tiniest bug to the tallest oak. She was just happy to be basking in the sun of the hills instead of signing papers in the castle. The fields were so open and inviting today that she hadn't been able to resist coming for a picnic.
Forests could be seen off in the distance to the west and to the east. South were more fields and north was Liara. Millerna sighed content with the temporary escape and felt the pulls of sleep attack her poor body. She was about to drift off when the soft clop of horse's hooves disrupted the peaceful rhythm of nature.
Millerna groaned in frustration and rolled onto her side. Hitomi looked up and smiled, poor Millerna was just beginning to relax.
A team of horses rode into view followed by a lavish carriage. The finest cedar had been carved and decorated with precious gems to create the extravagant carriage for the girls. The driver pulled on the reins and the horses whinnied to a stop right beside the little picnic sight.
The driver was an elderly man with shoulder length gray hair pulled back into a ponytail. His eyes sparkled when he smiled at the pair as he hopped down from the driver seat.
"Hello Tom," Hitomi stood and straightened her skirt.
"Good afternoon lady Hitomi," Tom bowed to the girl and then turned to Millerna
Millerna opened her eyes and saw the man raise his eyebrows and gesture to the carriage.
"Oh I know I was just enjoying myself a few more minutes"
Tom smirked and turned to open the carriage doors. Millerna rose and walked up the tiny steps into the velvet seats of the two-person carriage. Hitomi gathered up the food and folded the blanket. Tom fastened the supplies to the back of the carriage and climbed back up to his seat after closing the door behind Hitomi. Grabbing the reins he gave them a pull and steered the horses back the way they had come.
Millerna leaned back against the silk pillows sewn in just above the seats for their comfort and closed her eyes. Hitomi pulled the curtains back from the windows and watched as the fields disappeared. The carriage slowed a little as it climbed to the top of the hill. Hitomi smiled as Liara appeared and the carriage began it's decent.
"No one will ever love this kingdom like you Hitomi," Millerna smiled and shook her head at her best friend.
"You might be right," Hitomi replied winking at the princess and turning back to the view
Said kingdom rode into view as the carriage galloped onward. Liara was a very wealthy and powerful kingdom. They have never had to use their force to prove the point but the army was always ready. Liara was the lead in trade as well as Gaia's hottest tourist attraction.
Guests were always stunned by it's beauty and never wanted to leave. Nature was a part of the vast kingdom. Trees, bushes, and all number of flowers would surround the houses and stands in the market. A river ran through the majestic kingdom oddly enough just through the middle of the village making a great water source for the people.
The soft pound of hooves against soft grass shifted to the loud click of hooves against cobblestone as they entered the market.
The market was bustling with people and voices soon drowned out the horse's hooves. Stands lined the street on both sides and Hitomi waved to the people as they drove through. The market soon disappeared and Hitomi marveled at the palace as she always did.
The alabaster walls of the palace were lined with emeralds and sapphires. But that wasn't what could steal your breath. The history of Liara was painted on the walls of the castle.
People, leaders and events in the past of the marvelous kingdom were all painted on the outside walls. Hitomi loved studying the delicate drawings covering practically every inch of the mighty palace that rose up into the sky to tower over the rest of the kingdom.
She drifted from the paintings to the people in the many windows of the palace. Servants and nobles alike could be seen in every window either laughing or working. The carriage stopped as the mighty bronze gates swung open leading into the courtyard in front of the palace doors.
The horses started up again and rode a good 60 feet before stopping in front of the intimidating palace. Hitomi pushed the door open and jumped down the steps. Millerna wasn't as enthusiastic to see the palace as Hitomi was and therefore followed slowly. Tom nodded to them both and drove the carriage off to the stables.
Millerna smiled and turned to face the oncoming maids. Hitomi was still looking at the palace disappear in the clouds high above. Millerna grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her along.
"You've seen the palace's height for 16 solid years and it still amazes you?"
"Every time," Hitomi answered laughing as her friend quickly urged her in through the palace doors.
"Let's hurry to mother's solar before-"
Millerna frowned and stopped her sentence just as the group of servants caught up to them.
"Your Majesty we have a few messages for you!" one servant called
Hitomi patted Millerna's back and turned her around to face the servants.
"Your father wishes to see you in his study immediately," one young maid announced
"Marriage stuff again," she whispered to Hitomi who gave her annoyed look in return.
"Not again"
Two new maids stepped up and held two dresses out, "The dresses for the ball are finished Milady"
"The ball is in a month, and they finish them now?" Millerna whispered to Hitomi and thanked the maids.
Another servant stepped up and bowed, "And we have a guest your majesty"
"Who?"
"King Allen Schezar of Asturia"
Millerna blushed, "Thank you, dismissed"
The servants all hurried away and Millerna straightened her dress ignoring Hitomi's laughter.
"Father wants me to press about my marriage most likely but what could King Allen want?"
"You," Hitomi laughed again
"Oh hush Hitomi! He hasn't offered a proposal of marriage yet!"
Millerna glared at the laughing form of Hitomi one more time before heading up the stairs to her right. Hitomi cleared her throat plastering a huge smile on her face before following Millerna to her father's study. The girls traveled down a few halls before finally reaching the large oak door. Gold letters labeled the room, 'His Majesties Study'.
Hitomi opened the door and walked in Millerna following.
Advisors surrounded the desk as King Aston drew lines here and there and pointed to things on the map. When Millerna cleared her throat the King's head snapped up and he grinned.
"Dismissed gentlemen"
The advisors nodded and bustled out of the study shutting the door as they went. King Aston circled the desk and hugged Millerna kissing both her cheeks. He repeated the motion with Hitomi and then gestured for them to sit.
"Now Millerna I've narrowed the suitors down to two."
Millerna rolled her eyes to Hitomi and the girls both made gagging motions. King Aston laughed and leaned against his desk.
"I know, but it had to happen sometime. Now Millerna I think you'll be glad to hear the suitors and I'm sure I know your answer already but I'll have you say it all the same. They are two recently introduced proposals. From King Allen Schezar of Asturia and one from King Van Slaznar de Fanel of Fanelia."
Millerna's smile absolutely beamed and Hitomi laughed again. Millerna turned the smile to her father and her father nodded.
"Hie yourself up to your mother's solar and tell King Allen of your choice, I'm sure he'll be overjoyed to hear. However you two will be visiting Fanelia this week as planned despite your rejection. King Van had a feeling he would lose to his friend but insisted that you girls visit just the same. He hasn't seen either of you in 10 years and said he would love to see you again."
Millerna jumped up and hugged her father, "Of course papa!"
With that she ran out of the room. Hitomi smiled and stood up hoping to escape before her turn came. But it wasn't to be so.
"No no Hitomi, come back here and sit"
Hitomi sighed and turned to face the king with a pleading look. The king smiled and gestured to the chair. Hitomi moaned in defeat and the king laughed.
"I know, but Hitomi you know I love you like a daughter. You've always been a part of this family and I want to make sure you're well taken care of when I'm gone."
"I know majesty"
"The formalities aren't needed dear"
"I've been looking I just haven't found anyone," Hitomi sunk into the cushions of the chair
"Well what of Prince Charlie of Niteria?"
"He would rather spend his time looking in a mirror"
The king laughed, "True, how about King James of Loren"
"I thought he was engaged to Princess Melissa"
"Nope he called it off"
"Why?"
"She was caught with a lover"
Hitomi gasped, "Oh boy busted"
The king laughed again, "Yes she was, I just want you to think about it. You and Millerna will be leaving for Fanelia tonight please think about this suitor business while you're gone okay?"
"I will"
King Aston smiled and pulled Hitomi up from the chair into a hug, "Good now go finish packing and make sure Millerna finishes"
Hitomi nodded and walked out of the study and up to the solar.
"This is going to be a long evening," she whispered to herself as she opened the door to the solar.
The sun began sinking below the treetops as Hitomi handed the bags to Tom. Evening was settling in and the tiny group was setting off for Fanelia. Normally one wouldn't travel at nightfall but they were in a hurry and Fanelia wasn't that far away. The journey would be swift and easy, the only difficulty involved would separating Millerna and Allen. Hitomi heaved a sigh and turned to face the lovers laughing and smiling at the doors. Straightening her dress she marched up the steps and wrapped her slender fingers around Millerna's wrist and tugged.
Millerna turned to Hitomi and immediately gazed at the setting sun.
"Alright I'm coming Hito-chan," she waved her friend away and Hitomi took the hint and bounded down the steps again.
Queen Aston had just stepped up next to the carriage and was going over safety rules and such with Tom. No matter he had been driving carriages since he was 20, now a man of 50 he may have forgotten some things. Tom just smiled and nodded at everything the Queen said. Hitomi pitied the poor man and stepped in front of him blocking the Queen's view. Luckily the sight of Hitomi was enough to distract her.
"There you are dear child!" the Queen busied forward and pulled Hitomi into a great hug, "Now be careful and hurry home to us"
"I will," Hitomi assured the Queen and returning the hug.
Millerna chastely kissed Allen on the cheek and hurried down the steps to hug her mother goodbye.
"We'll be home soon mother"
The Queen nodded and sniffed holding back her tears.
"Oh don't cry mother we'll return soon," and with that Millerna shut the carriage door.
"Move out men!!"
The captain of the guard's voice boomed out the orders and the soldiers in the front started out towards Fanelia. Tom pulled on the reins and snapped them to get the horses going. The great crack startled them into a gallop and along with the soldiers guarding the rear the small group set off for the powerful kingdom of Fanelia.
Hitomi leaned against her window and pulled the curtains up as custom and stared at the disappearing palace. Millerna smiled to herself and leaned back against the cushions.
"Well Allen isn't sure he likes the idea of my practice but I think with a little more coaxing he'll let me continue my study to be a doctor"
Hitomi gasped and turned to her friend, "Really? The man is a womanizer I didn't think he would let you do it"
"Hitomi!! Don't say that he's my future husband!"
Hitomi laughed, "Saints have mercy to you sister"
Millerna smacked her and Hitomi laughed harder sticking her head out the window. Jutting her hand out she waved to Allen and the King and Queen. They waved back and the Queen blew a kiss. Hitomi pulled her hand back in and let the wind beat against her face sending her hair into fits. The loud snap of the galloping horses was truly a deafening sound and she was considering settling herself back inside the carriage. But something gnawed at her instincts. Something told her to look her fill of the beautiful kingdom of Liara, so she did.
She studied the fading lines of the immaculate drawings covering the palace walls. She imprinted the faces of the loved ones disappearing over the tops of market stands. And finally she imprinted the breath taking view of Liara as a whole when it glowed in the setting sun. The kingdom vanished from her sight as the carriage took a sharp right into the forest. Hitomi closed the curtain and tied them down. Millerna was already sleeping stretched out in her large seat. Hitomi unrolled one of the blankets they had inside and billowed it out before covering her up. Millerna smiled while Hitomi tucked it around over her shoulders and under her chin.
"Arigatou Hito-chan,"
Hitomi patted Millerna on the shoulders and leaned over to tie down the curtains on the other window. Once that was finished and everything was settled she leaned back in her own little bed.
Sixteen years she had lived in the blossoming kingdom of Liara. She had often visited other kingdoms with Millerna but it never felt like this. Maybe it was because they were leaving at night. She couldn't quite place her finger on it but she had a nagging and particularly unnerving feeling that something, she didn't know what, just something wasn't right.
Shaking away the nervous thoughts Hitomi let out a light breath skywards to move the hair dangling in front of her eyes. And as much as she fought her thoughts drifted to memories of old as she relaxed in the bumpy carriage.
Hitomi my child, never forget my love for you.
Her mother's dieing words had haunted her for years. Kind though they were her voice had just been so raspy and chilled.
Even more haunting was her mother's dieing tune. She hummed the song she used to sing to Hitomi as a child as death's shadows came over her. The tune had finished on her dieing lips which was probably one of the reasons Hitomi had never sang the song for Millerna until today.
Hitomi let out a great heave of a sigh and stretched out on the velvet cushions and let the bump of the carriage soothe her to sleep.
"My love fight the fog, follow the tears and blood, listen for the song in the night, and together we'll fly free…."
Hitomi whispered the ending verse inside the luxurious carriage and went to sleep humming the song to herself.
The group was riding threw the forest none stop to Fanelia. Tom smiled as he heard the ending verse of Hitomi's song float from the carriage.
"Good night Hitomi," he whispered as he leaned back into his little seat.
The forest grew silent with the night; the only sound notable was the clop of the horses as the party rode on through.