Hey!! Told ya I wouldn't keep ya'll hanging too long!!! ^_^
Yami: And three or so months isn't such a long time?
DragonSun: .well.I forgot. *Bows* Gomen ne, minna-san!
When we last left off, Van managed to take the ring off (FINALLY!!!), but *gasp* the hallway collapsed on them!!!! Ouch, that's going to leave a mark!! Will Sora save them. . .?
Disclaimer: We don't own Escaflowne. ^_^ Why am I smiling. . .?
Ha!! You may not be able to see this pic online, but I cut it out in Paint myself!!! ^_^ (Yami: She's very pleased.) It's from the movie!! Van just grabbed Hitomi's hand. ^_^ It's so sweet!!! And the title is a song from the soundtrack.
Yami: *grr* They know, DS.
Who Will Save
[pic]
"Hitomi!!" Van jerked her into his arms, his wings cracking outward in a flurry of feathers. She sobbed and hung on to him, eyes closed, breathing in the smell of him. Qual shouted, throwing himself towards them and knocking both to the ground.
Ner knew it was the end as she noticed the sudden storm of white feathers. The moment she saw the shield go, she knew it was the end and they would never come out alive. Not Hitomi and Van. Not Elvrn. Not the knight. Not even Qual. Poor, noble Qual. She didn't cry for him. She didn't have time to cry, because the heavy boulders came and crushed her to the ground even as she lunged forward, and everything vanished into merciful, merciful death.
The end. Period.
". . .I think she is awakening, Dragon Lord. . ." Bells in the distance. Soft bells.
"You think. . .?" a voice she knew. Familiar. Heavy with concern. Gently, she could feel something probing at her mind.
:Hitomi. . .can you hear me?:
Van. . .it's Van. . .Van's there. . .
:Hitomi. . .please answer me.:
:Van!:
". . .Van. . ." she whispered. To her absolute delight, it was her own voice. Weary and parched and cracking, but her own voice. . .! Slowly, she opened one eye, afraid of what she would see. . .
"Hitomi!!" he yelped, rather brokenly, leaping onto her bed and giving her just about the tightest bear-hug she'd ever received from anyone. It seemed ages since she'd last seen him. . . She loved him, and she knew it now. Perhaps even more so than she had before. There was no need to tell him; she knew he would know it as well.
"Careful, my Dragon Lord. . ." Bells again. . .?
"Oh-right-" he seemed to stiffen, and contented himself with bouncing up and down on the bed while he squeezed her hands and smiled, blinking back tears.
Van's eyes. Van's gray eyes. Van.
". . .Van. . .!" she said again, this time louder, as she buried her face in his shoulder and felt his arms go around her.
Van's arms. Van's strong arms. Holding her gingerly, and tenderly.
"Welcome back, Hitomi," he said cheerfully, even though he was barely able to control the shaking of his shoulders. He didn't bother wiping the tears that were running down his cheeks, either. She was crying, too, she realized. Strange. She hadn't been gone so long. . .had she?
He gave her another quick squeeze. "I can't believe I almost lost you. . .!" he said softly, his voice muffled through her honey-colored hair. "Gods. . .I'm sorry, Hitomi. . .I'm sorry. . .can you forgive me?"
(A/N: Which translates as, I can't believe I almost killed you! Please forgive me?)
"Van. . ." It seemed like the only thing she knew how to say at the moment. She was so glad to be back. So glad to be back with Van's arms around her, alive and enveloped by warmth, and love-
She flexed her fingers. Her own, solid, non transparent fingers. She had control over her fingers. . .!
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, d'you understand?!" Van murmured, brushing her tears away from her face and then smiling as she did the same for him.
"Scare you. . .how. . .?" Hitomi asked weakly. "You mean. . .when I was gone. . .for a little. . .?"
"I thought you'd never come back-I thought-" Van cleared his throat and wiped his eyes again. He was only seventeen, she realized. Only seventeen, the both of them, and they were getting married. To rule a country together. And. . .possibly. . .at the insistence of advisors. . .to have. . .heirs. . .
Oh. . .dear. . .God.
But with Van there. . .she wouldn't have to worry. They would help each other, lend each other strength.
"I'm sorry about that, Van. . ." she mumbled, trying very hard not to break out into open tears. "I. . .I never meant to. . .to leave you. . .I. . ."
"I know," he soothed, smoothing her tousled hair back. "You were gone for a lunar pass, Hitomi Kanzaki. My healers were beginning to give up hope. . ."
"One whole month!?" she exclaimed, then began to cough, going white.
"Don't worry about it. . ." he said, gazing at her, his eyes smiling. "We all got hit by one very large magical shockwave. Something like that, anyway. I've told you I healed quickly, so here I am. You aren't the only one who's been out for so long. We're actually lucky; we escaped with only a few casualties."
He paused, licking lips uncomfortably. "Look . . .Hitomi. . ."
"Yeah?" she said.
"If you. . .don't want to. . .uh. . .marry me. . .I guess. . .I guess it's okay. I mean, after all that you've been through-assassins and all-"
"I want to marry you, Van Slanzar de Fanel," she said firmly. Then waggled a finger in his face, still rejoicing over the her newly regained control. "You can't get rid of me so easily, you know!"
They laughed. Hitomi smiled, staring at her hands. "It's been a while since I could use these, I suppose," she said faintly. "At least I'll know being your Queen is going to be one heck of an adventure, ne, Van?"
"Yeah." His eyes softened, and he grinned at her boyishly. Van's grin. Van's sweet, handsome grin.
Oh, gods, it was so good to be back! Home!
Home. Yes. . .her home was Fanelia now.
Home. Her home was wherever Van was. Now that she established that. . .she sighed and was silent, and enjoyed the feeling of his hands touching hers.
For a while she had had only eyes for him, but now the owner of the tinkling voice interested her, and she wondered.
Hitomi looked up at the woman standing by her. Her eyes seemed to recognize her, but Van would not know for some time, because at that moment, Hitomi promptly fainted.
"The strain is still too much, Dragon Lord," Sora said quietly, placing a hand on Van's shoulder. He was holding his fiancee, looking very bewildered and very worried. "I am afraid I startled her. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. As long as I know. . .as long as I know she'll be okay in the end. Ne?"
Sora nodded.
"How is your son?" Van asked, when no one spoke for a moment.
"Doing well. . ." Sora murmured. "I had not expected him to survive. But, once again, you have surprised me. He has surprised me."
"May I ask who fathered him?" Van said boldly. "I suppose you know who I'm assuming was. . ."
"'Twas not your brother, Dragon Lord," Sora said. "Folken-sama. . .loved Eriya. He loved Eriya and no one else. Except perhaps for you. There was always a lonely space in that man's heart for you."
Van shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "It isn't my place to ask you such things, High Priestess."
Sora stared out the window for a long, tired moment. At the children who were playing a game of sukurachi in the streets. Sukurachi. He'd played it once with Folken. With his brother. . .yes, Folken was his brother now. . .forever and always. And Hitomi. . .
Forever and always.
"I never understood the devotion Nerelys showed to Qual. After all, she was only his respective tool. Nothing more. But I should have supposed they would be friends. Qual and Ner. Who would have thought it. . .?" Sora smiled at the unconscious Hitomi lying in the bed. She would recover. Her will was too strong for her to die. "How do you feel, my Dragon Lord?"
"I feel empty," Van whispered. "I'm certainly relieved that you. . .freed the Dragon. . .and that I'll never go berserk again, but all the same, I feel empty without It. It was a part of me. You understand, don't you, High Priestess?"
"I know. Ryuu and G'eneth have gone onwards, to the fields, and Guaneth, as in the beginning, is no more an obstacle than the pebbles at your feet."
"I don't suppose I'll ever bump into It again?" Van said ruefully. He looked across the room at his Sword, which lay polished but neglected on the finely polished desk. Escaflowne had been replaced at the Shrine, energist removed. It had not been needed. Folken's dream. A world without war. Without sorrow.
"That knight of Asturia is recovering nicely too, I see," Sora said, to change the subject. She did not wish to answer her Dragon Lord's saddened query.
"Yes. . .Gaddis' tough. Good thing, too. His crew nearly died of worry. And Merla. And Celena. Not Chid, though. Chid was worried, but not as much as everyone else." Van sighed, his eyes on the children. "Sukurachi," he said softly. "I remember a time when. . .when I played it." He was quiet, then laughed at himself. "Look at me. Reminiscing like an old man."
"Duke Chid will never be told of his parentage?" Sora asked, looking slightly interested.
"No, I suppose not."
Van smiled at Hitomi, who lay wan among the sheets, looking pale enough to be one. Terci had changed them earlier. As always-crash. Sheets go catawampus. Catawampus. What an odd term she had used to describe the mess. . .
He kissed her softly and stood to go. He didn't want to go. But he had to go. Just for a little. Knowing she would be there when he got back. . .was such a comforting feeling. . .
"I should check on Gaddis. Stay with her, High Priestess. Call me if anything goes wrong."
Halfway through the hall-
"VAN-SAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Ariel!!" he exclaimed. He knew that voice better than his own, probably. And he knew the death-grip. But had she changed? Perhaps she had grown up? He didn't really think so. . .
It was. Same old death-grip, he realized, as she whirled around him and grabbed his middle.
"So you got back okay, I guess," he said, looking up at Ariel's husband, Ruku, who was smiling as his wife choked the hell out of Fanelia's King. "I'm sorry if the evacuation was a bit rushed. As you might have known, I was preoccupied."
"I was soooooooooooooo WORRIED about you!!" Ariel sobbed. "Don't EVER do that again, d'you hear me?!"
"Loud and clear," Van muttered, wincing. Smiling, he added, "but mostly loud."
"You'd think she was your wife, y'know," Ruku said fondly, ruffling Ariel's hair. She gasped and dropped her arms, blushing. Van chuckled.
"Ruku!" and she slapped him upside the head.
"Ow," Ruku whined jovially. "What was that for?"
"You know what!!"
"I heard you stayed by me while I was unconscious, Ariel," Van said, to keep her from jumping on her husband and bludgeoning him to death.
"Uh. . .well. . ." she smiled sheepishly. "Maybe I did. . ."
"Well, thanks. But I think Ruku is more worthy of your attentions, don't you think, Ariel?" Van grinned.
"Oh, I don't know. . ." Ariel said loftily.
Ruku growled, "Whadaya mean, you don't know?"
Van watched as Ariel ran shrieking down the hallway, Ruku not far behind. A "See you later, Lord Van!!" drifted back amongst gales of laughter.
Van smiled and continued on his way to Gaddis' room. The smile faded a little, but held, as he contemplated the future.
He wanted that smile to grow broader. Fanelia had a future. He had a future.
Hitomi. . .
He knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open. Gaddis was standing by the window, his hair shining red-gold in the early sunlight.
"Finally awake, I see," Van said.
"Yes, I believe so," Gaddis said. He rubbed his forehead. "Damn, what a knock to my old skull."
"Yeah, your poor old skull," Van agreed readily. He laughed. "Glad to see you're okay, though."
"Merla and Celena too," Gaddis said, somewhat remorsefully. "I don't think I've ever been squeezed so hard in my life. And even Ariel had to have a go. What arms. What lungs," he added thoughtfully, and they both chuckled.
"I've had quite a few of those greetings myself," Van said. He looked off into the distance for a moment. "Sad, isn't it. . .? We'll have to rebuild the Western Sect again. For the second time."
"Your people seem willing."
Van smiled, his eyes staring vacantly. "Hitomi's back now. Hitomi will stay with me. I don't need to think about anything else but that."
He sighed. "I'm going to marry her, Gaddis. . .now that everything's finished, I'm going to marry her."
"So much for happily ever after," Gaddis muttered.
"Knight Gaddis," Van scowled, "would you like another knock to your poor old skull?"
"Kidding, kidding. . ."
Sora found Qual kneeling beside Ner's bedside. His eyes were closed, his lips moving with silent prayer.
"It's strange," Sora heard herself saying. "I have never once seen you call one religion your own, and now I find you begging the Sky God for a boon."
"High Priestess!" he said, starting to rise. She saved him the trouble by kneeling down beside him and taking his free hand. The other hand was clutching Ner's.
Nerelys' breathing was slow and shallow, her skin bleached. She looked as Hitomi had a few weeks ago. Had Sora not sensed her reverberations, she would have thought her dead. Certainly, Qual was not giving up hope. But for a man who never once prayed to suddenly turn to such was surely a desperate measure. And for that, she was sorry for him.
"Qual. . .I need you to begin to face the possibility that she may not awaken."
Sora said this bluntly, not wishing to sugarcoat anything. He was, after all, in her service. Death was expected, whether suddenly or eventually. By battles or by old age. Either way, the end came. Everything died. Everything was reborn. And so the cycle continued.
"I don't want to," he said, his voice rising. "She's going to wake up. High Priestess, she's going to wake up!"
"The power of your will is strong, but not strong enough to influence such miraculous events. You need to understand that Nerelys took the full brunt of an incredibly large magical explosion. The destruction of the ring and the darkness within it, when Van's Draconian magic came into contact with an impurity in silver, created such a blast. Had she not charged forward at that exact moment, then perhaps she might have awakened by now. It has been a month, Qual. A full lunar pass. You must begin to consider-"
"Hitomi Kanzaki woke, did she not?" Qual demanded. He glared at Ner's pale form.
"Kanzaki Hitomi was protected by the Dragon Lord's immortal soul and wings, not to mention your wild dash. You both protected your charges. I am proud."
Qual's eyes glowed. He wanted that, wanted his High Priestess to be proud of him. It was all he had ever wanted, until now. Now he wanted Ner to wake up, wanted spunky, feisty f-word spewing Ner back so they could ride somewhere into the sunrise together, because that was what they were meant to do. Forever.
The word forever can mean a lot of things.
"Dammit, Ner. Wake up!" he wanted to shake her, but he knew it wouldn't do much good, if not more damage.
God damn magical shockwaves. From what he understood, the chaotic collapse of the hallway had been triggered by a sudden lack of vibrations supporting it, in which case all vibrations had escaped outward in one huge, colossal blast, where Ner had taken most of the blow as she dashed forward to save him.
Oh, Ner.
Stupid, stupid, stupid Ner.
She did her job, in the end.
She did her job.
He looked back at her. "She's not going to make it, is she?" he said softly. "Please tell me she will."
"I do not know. As before. . .the presence of the Tsubasa no Kami clouds my visions. I realize this has been a hard time for you, Qual."
He smiled faintly and voiced his thoughts. "Stupid Ner. She did her job, though. Didn't she, High Priestess? She did her job."
Sora mirrored his saddened smile. "Yes, Qual. She did her job."
Azure 19. Mystic Moon in Eastern Sky.
Lord Van got married today! It was kind of a sad thing, and Lord Van and Lady Hitomi wanted to postpone the wedding (again!?) because this woman named Ner died. She helped save Hitomi, I guess. I helped Hitomi pick out her dress. And a necklace. She looked wonderful. Burgundy really suits her, you know? I don't know why. It just sets off her eyes and gives her this nice, warm glow. Hitomi's always had a glow. But she looks great in burgundy. I would be at the party, but I wanted to give the newlyweds some privacy. They'll need it; they're always so lovey-dovey and just can't keep their lips off each other for a single second!! Well. . .I suppose me and Ruku are kind of like that.
I felt really bad for Ner's friend. I think his name was Qual. He was okay, because the magic wave went from outside his shielding or whatever. Lord Van promised to explain some more of this magic stuff to me when he and Hitomi get back from their honeymoon.
It was really strange, too, because they're somehow going to the Mystic Moon. . .? I'm not sure if they'll be able to get back, and Lord Van's stupid advisors won't stop worrying. I don't know. Hitomi wants to say hi to her mom and brother and her two friends. Who've been married for some time now. It's kind of strange. They're really young, Hitomi says. Amano (that's his name) is still in college in a place called America.
Poor Qual. I think he really loved Ner. I mean, I didn't get to know either of them during this entire Guaneth mess, but I'm sure they'll see each other again someday.
True love sure is cute, isn't it?
Ariel
20th of Azure
The Mystic Moon hangs in the East tonight. Onii-sama, Merla and I were up all night yesterday celebrating. Van and Hitomi finally got married! I'm thinking about going to Asturia for a little with my brother and Merla. Poor King Aston is sick again-he's been ill for some time, and we're going to go see him. I'll get to hang out with Merla's little sister. She's only eleven years old. I'm seventeen. I think she might actually listen to me. It would be really nice to have a niece. She would be my niece, right? We could do all sorts of fun stuff.
As for Dilandau. . .he and I have sort of come to an agreement. Kind of. It's really hard to talk to your alter ego when he's sulking. I think it's adorable, though. Dilandau's kind of fond of me, too. I think we're going to be good friends. When he's not trying to kill my brother or Van, that is. We have also both agreed no scar, no matter which form I'm in. Good thing. I can't stand scars, and apparently Dilandau hates the one Van gave him. I keep telling him it's his own fault for picking a fight with King Van, but he never listens. He misses his Dragonslayers. I tell him it's their own fault for picking a fight with the Abaharaki, but then he becomes so depressed that I have to feel somewhat sorry for him. I mean, really, really depressed. So depressed he doesn't even have the energy to curse Van or yell for fire. If you ask me, that's a serious case of depression, when a pyromaniac doesn't even care about fire anymore.
I'm so tired. I think I'm going to call it quits for tonight. I feel really sorry for Qual. His friend Ner died about a month ago. Right after Daedalus attacked Fanelia. I don't know exactly what happened, but I guess it was pretty traumatic for everyone who was there. I was so worried about Onii-sama when he was knocked out for a bit. Merla, too. I don't think I've ever cried so hard. Well. . .
I'm yawning right now. Goodnight. And no, Dilly, you can not attack Van tonight.
Celena Schezar
Aughest 12th
My big sister got marryed today!! Well, yesterday, actually. I'm writing this in her dairy since I don't have one just yet and my spelling must be really bad. But I don't care. She actually came home!! I don't know how. Amano couldn't be there (he has exams or something) but Yukari got a plain here. Mom was SO happy. She finally got to meet King Vaun in person. He seems nice enuff, but if I find out he hurts my sister, I'm gonna kill him. I guess I'm very protektive of my sister, two. He was really nice to me. He brought me a wooden sword and everything. Mom's been planning there hunny-moon for a while now. Their going to a place in America with Yukari. They might stay with Yukari and Amano, but maybe not. There's an adult world I don't know about. Something about beds and hotel rooms.
It isn't fair! I wanted to go with them. But of course I was too yung to be goin to Las Vegas or whatever they call it.
I think I'm gonna go call my friends to come over. I can't tell them who Vaun really is, because then otherwise we'd all get into trubbul. I can say he's my sister's husband and everything.
I gotta go now. Hitomi's calling. I don't know how they got back home but it was great they did!! I woulda really missed em if they didn't!
Kanzaki Kenji
Dear Mel,
I saw a strange man today. I suppose he and his girlfriend just got married. They looked so happy, my heart practically melted. They were on my flight to Las Vegas. I handed them their peanuts and asked if they wanted coffee. The man wrinkled his nose as asked what coffee was, and his girlfriend had to explain it to him, but he got one all the same. And hated it. Still, it was cute. I hope they have fun. About me and Patrick, we're coming back to PA as soon as we can.
Yours truly, Lori Williams
PS: I wonder where they were from? Who NEVER would've heard of coffee? And the man was very handsome, I thought (no offense to Pat) but he had on the strangest clothing. And I heard him talking to his girlfriend about if his sword was going to get to their hotel safely. She was giggling. Maybe he reenacts renaissance or something. Or they're going to be part of a play.
EPILOGUE
"DILANDAU, SLOW DOWN!!!" Celena shrieked. "YOU SAID YOU'D LET ME WIN!!!"
"AIN'T DOIN' NOTHIN'!!" Dilandau howled back. "HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED BY NOW THAT I NEVER KEEP ANY OF MY PROMISES?!"
And, with Celena lagging behind slightly, the two (one solid and the other slightly transparent,) sprinted towards the finish line, where King Van and his wife Hitomi and their son, little Prince Folken, were waiting with the prize-a new confection the Lady Hitomi had introduced to Gaea, ice cream.
Well. . .that's that. The end of the Rebel King. I hoped you liked it. And I want to thank those of you who have stuck with this story from the start. As for Dilly and Celena. . .I'll leave that to your imagination as to what happens.
Aww. . .she's so sad right now. Look. . .she's crying!! *sobs* That's the end!! The end. . .waaaaaah!!!! *sniffle*
For those of you who've stuck with this story since the beginning last year- wow. . .I just remembered that I posted this story two years ago in May- thank you SO MUCH! I don't think I'd've gotten through this baby without your support. And for the rest of you guys, thanks anyway! I'm very sorry about the seventh month lag, too.
DragonSun
PS: Maybe it won't be the end. . .? I dunno yet. You decide. I might add another chapter "Forever" on, but who knows? It'll be about one of little Folken's escapades. ^_^ Ah! I've got it. . .it'll be The Rebellious Prince or something! Look for it!!!! ^_^
*hint hint*
Um, the new story is gonna be about Qual, Ner, Prince Folken, King Van, Queen Hitomi. . .and Ariel's daughter. . .
Suggestions appreciated!
THANK YOU!!!!
Fin!
Yami: And three or so months isn't such a long time?
DragonSun: .well.I forgot. *Bows* Gomen ne, minna-san!
When we last left off, Van managed to take the ring off (FINALLY!!!), but *gasp* the hallway collapsed on them!!!! Ouch, that's going to leave a mark!! Will Sora save them. . .?
Disclaimer: We don't own Escaflowne. ^_^ Why am I smiling. . .?
Ha!! You may not be able to see this pic online, but I cut it out in Paint myself!!! ^_^ (Yami: She's very pleased.) It's from the movie!! Van just grabbed Hitomi's hand. ^_^ It's so sweet!!! And the title is a song from the soundtrack.
Yami: *grr* They know, DS.
Who Will Save
[pic]
"Hitomi!!" Van jerked her into his arms, his wings cracking outward in a flurry of feathers. She sobbed and hung on to him, eyes closed, breathing in the smell of him. Qual shouted, throwing himself towards them and knocking both to the ground.
Ner knew it was the end as she noticed the sudden storm of white feathers. The moment she saw the shield go, she knew it was the end and they would never come out alive. Not Hitomi and Van. Not Elvrn. Not the knight. Not even Qual. Poor, noble Qual. She didn't cry for him. She didn't have time to cry, because the heavy boulders came and crushed her to the ground even as she lunged forward, and everything vanished into merciful, merciful death.
The end. Period.
". . .I think she is awakening, Dragon Lord. . ." Bells in the distance. Soft bells.
"You think. . .?" a voice she knew. Familiar. Heavy with concern. Gently, she could feel something probing at her mind.
:Hitomi. . .can you hear me?:
Van. . .it's Van. . .Van's there. . .
:Hitomi. . .please answer me.:
:Van!:
". . .Van. . ." she whispered. To her absolute delight, it was her own voice. Weary and parched and cracking, but her own voice. . .! Slowly, she opened one eye, afraid of what she would see. . .
"Hitomi!!" he yelped, rather brokenly, leaping onto her bed and giving her just about the tightest bear-hug she'd ever received from anyone. It seemed ages since she'd last seen him. . . She loved him, and she knew it now. Perhaps even more so than she had before. There was no need to tell him; she knew he would know it as well.
"Careful, my Dragon Lord. . ." Bells again. . .?
"Oh-right-" he seemed to stiffen, and contented himself with bouncing up and down on the bed while he squeezed her hands and smiled, blinking back tears.
Van's eyes. Van's gray eyes. Van.
". . .Van. . .!" she said again, this time louder, as she buried her face in his shoulder and felt his arms go around her.
Van's arms. Van's strong arms. Holding her gingerly, and tenderly.
"Welcome back, Hitomi," he said cheerfully, even though he was barely able to control the shaking of his shoulders. He didn't bother wiping the tears that were running down his cheeks, either. She was crying, too, she realized. Strange. She hadn't been gone so long. . .had she?
He gave her another quick squeeze. "I can't believe I almost lost you. . .!" he said softly, his voice muffled through her honey-colored hair. "Gods. . .I'm sorry, Hitomi. . .I'm sorry. . .can you forgive me?"
(A/N: Which translates as, I can't believe I almost killed you! Please forgive me?)
"Van. . ." It seemed like the only thing she knew how to say at the moment. She was so glad to be back. So glad to be back with Van's arms around her, alive and enveloped by warmth, and love-
She flexed her fingers. Her own, solid, non transparent fingers. She had control over her fingers. . .!
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, d'you understand?!" Van murmured, brushing her tears away from her face and then smiling as she did the same for him.
"Scare you. . .how. . .?" Hitomi asked weakly. "You mean. . .when I was gone. . .for a little. . .?"
"I thought you'd never come back-I thought-" Van cleared his throat and wiped his eyes again. He was only seventeen, she realized. Only seventeen, the both of them, and they were getting married. To rule a country together. And. . .possibly. . .at the insistence of advisors. . .to have. . .heirs. . .
Oh. . .dear. . .God.
But with Van there. . .she wouldn't have to worry. They would help each other, lend each other strength.
"I'm sorry about that, Van. . ." she mumbled, trying very hard not to break out into open tears. "I. . .I never meant to. . .to leave you. . .I. . ."
"I know," he soothed, smoothing her tousled hair back. "You were gone for a lunar pass, Hitomi Kanzaki. My healers were beginning to give up hope. . ."
"One whole month!?" she exclaimed, then began to cough, going white.
"Don't worry about it. . ." he said, gazing at her, his eyes smiling. "We all got hit by one very large magical shockwave. Something like that, anyway. I've told you I healed quickly, so here I am. You aren't the only one who's been out for so long. We're actually lucky; we escaped with only a few casualties."
He paused, licking lips uncomfortably. "Look . . .Hitomi. . ."
"Yeah?" she said.
"If you. . .don't want to. . .uh. . .marry me. . .I guess. . .I guess it's okay. I mean, after all that you've been through-assassins and all-"
"I want to marry you, Van Slanzar de Fanel," she said firmly. Then waggled a finger in his face, still rejoicing over the her newly regained control. "You can't get rid of me so easily, you know!"
They laughed. Hitomi smiled, staring at her hands. "It's been a while since I could use these, I suppose," she said faintly. "At least I'll know being your Queen is going to be one heck of an adventure, ne, Van?"
"Yeah." His eyes softened, and he grinned at her boyishly. Van's grin. Van's sweet, handsome grin.
Oh, gods, it was so good to be back! Home!
Home. Yes. . .her home was Fanelia now.
Home. Her home was wherever Van was. Now that she established that. . .she sighed and was silent, and enjoyed the feeling of his hands touching hers.
For a while she had had only eyes for him, but now the owner of the tinkling voice interested her, and she wondered.
Hitomi looked up at the woman standing by her. Her eyes seemed to recognize her, but Van would not know for some time, because at that moment, Hitomi promptly fainted.
"The strain is still too much, Dragon Lord," Sora said quietly, placing a hand on Van's shoulder. He was holding his fiancee, looking very bewildered and very worried. "I am afraid I startled her. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. As long as I know. . .as long as I know she'll be okay in the end. Ne?"
Sora nodded.
"How is your son?" Van asked, when no one spoke for a moment.
"Doing well. . ." Sora murmured. "I had not expected him to survive. But, once again, you have surprised me. He has surprised me."
"May I ask who fathered him?" Van said boldly. "I suppose you know who I'm assuming was. . ."
"'Twas not your brother, Dragon Lord," Sora said. "Folken-sama. . .loved Eriya. He loved Eriya and no one else. Except perhaps for you. There was always a lonely space in that man's heart for you."
Van shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "It isn't my place to ask you such things, High Priestess."
Sora stared out the window for a long, tired moment. At the children who were playing a game of sukurachi in the streets. Sukurachi. He'd played it once with Folken. With his brother. . .yes, Folken was his brother now. . .forever and always. And Hitomi. . .
Forever and always.
"I never understood the devotion Nerelys showed to Qual. After all, she was only his respective tool. Nothing more. But I should have supposed they would be friends. Qual and Ner. Who would have thought it. . .?" Sora smiled at the unconscious Hitomi lying in the bed. She would recover. Her will was too strong for her to die. "How do you feel, my Dragon Lord?"
"I feel empty," Van whispered. "I'm certainly relieved that you. . .freed the Dragon. . .and that I'll never go berserk again, but all the same, I feel empty without It. It was a part of me. You understand, don't you, High Priestess?"
"I know. Ryuu and G'eneth have gone onwards, to the fields, and Guaneth, as in the beginning, is no more an obstacle than the pebbles at your feet."
"I don't suppose I'll ever bump into It again?" Van said ruefully. He looked across the room at his Sword, which lay polished but neglected on the finely polished desk. Escaflowne had been replaced at the Shrine, energist removed. It had not been needed. Folken's dream. A world without war. Without sorrow.
"That knight of Asturia is recovering nicely too, I see," Sora said, to change the subject. She did not wish to answer her Dragon Lord's saddened query.
"Yes. . .Gaddis' tough. Good thing, too. His crew nearly died of worry. And Merla. And Celena. Not Chid, though. Chid was worried, but not as much as everyone else." Van sighed, his eyes on the children. "Sukurachi," he said softly. "I remember a time when. . .when I played it." He was quiet, then laughed at himself. "Look at me. Reminiscing like an old man."
"Duke Chid will never be told of his parentage?" Sora asked, looking slightly interested.
"No, I suppose not."
Van smiled at Hitomi, who lay wan among the sheets, looking pale enough to be one. Terci had changed them earlier. As always-crash. Sheets go catawampus. Catawampus. What an odd term she had used to describe the mess. . .
He kissed her softly and stood to go. He didn't want to go. But he had to go. Just for a little. Knowing she would be there when he got back. . .was such a comforting feeling. . .
"I should check on Gaddis. Stay with her, High Priestess. Call me if anything goes wrong."
Halfway through the hall-
"VAN-SAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Ariel!!" he exclaimed. He knew that voice better than his own, probably. And he knew the death-grip. But had she changed? Perhaps she had grown up? He didn't really think so. . .
It was. Same old death-grip, he realized, as she whirled around him and grabbed his middle.
"So you got back okay, I guess," he said, looking up at Ariel's husband, Ruku, who was smiling as his wife choked the hell out of Fanelia's King. "I'm sorry if the evacuation was a bit rushed. As you might have known, I was preoccupied."
"I was soooooooooooooo WORRIED about you!!" Ariel sobbed. "Don't EVER do that again, d'you hear me?!"
"Loud and clear," Van muttered, wincing. Smiling, he added, "but mostly loud."
"You'd think she was your wife, y'know," Ruku said fondly, ruffling Ariel's hair. She gasped and dropped her arms, blushing. Van chuckled.
"Ruku!" and she slapped him upside the head.
"Ow," Ruku whined jovially. "What was that for?"
"You know what!!"
"I heard you stayed by me while I was unconscious, Ariel," Van said, to keep her from jumping on her husband and bludgeoning him to death.
"Uh. . .well. . ." she smiled sheepishly. "Maybe I did. . ."
"Well, thanks. But I think Ruku is more worthy of your attentions, don't you think, Ariel?" Van grinned.
"Oh, I don't know. . ." Ariel said loftily.
Ruku growled, "Whadaya mean, you don't know?"
Van watched as Ariel ran shrieking down the hallway, Ruku not far behind. A "See you later, Lord Van!!" drifted back amongst gales of laughter.
Van smiled and continued on his way to Gaddis' room. The smile faded a little, but held, as he contemplated the future.
He wanted that smile to grow broader. Fanelia had a future. He had a future.
Hitomi. . .
He knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open. Gaddis was standing by the window, his hair shining red-gold in the early sunlight.
"Finally awake, I see," Van said.
"Yes, I believe so," Gaddis said. He rubbed his forehead. "Damn, what a knock to my old skull."
"Yeah, your poor old skull," Van agreed readily. He laughed. "Glad to see you're okay, though."
"Merla and Celena too," Gaddis said, somewhat remorsefully. "I don't think I've ever been squeezed so hard in my life. And even Ariel had to have a go. What arms. What lungs," he added thoughtfully, and they both chuckled.
"I've had quite a few of those greetings myself," Van said. He looked off into the distance for a moment. "Sad, isn't it. . .? We'll have to rebuild the Western Sect again. For the second time."
"Your people seem willing."
Van smiled, his eyes staring vacantly. "Hitomi's back now. Hitomi will stay with me. I don't need to think about anything else but that."
He sighed. "I'm going to marry her, Gaddis. . .now that everything's finished, I'm going to marry her."
"So much for happily ever after," Gaddis muttered.
"Knight Gaddis," Van scowled, "would you like another knock to your poor old skull?"
"Kidding, kidding. . ."
Sora found Qual kneeling beside Ner's bedside. His eyes were closed, his lips moving with silent prayer.
"It's strange," Sora heard herself saying. "I have never once seen you call one religion your own, and now I find you begging the Sky God for a boon."
"High Priestess!" he said, starting to rise. She saved him the trouble by kneeling down beside him and taking his free hand. The other hand was clutching Ner's.
Nerelys' breathing was slow and shallow, her skin bleached. She looked as Hitomi had a few weeks ago. Had Sora not sensed her reverberations, she would have thought her dead. Certainly, Qual was not giving up hope. But for a man who never once prayed to suddenly turn to such was surely a desperate measure. And for that, she was sorry for him.
"Qual. . .I need you to begin to face the possibility that she may not awaken."
Sora said this bluntly, not wishing to sugarcoat anything. He was, after all, in her service. Death was expected, whether suddenly or eventually. By battles or by old age. Either way, the end came. Everything died. Everything was reborn. And so the cycle continued.
"I don't want to," he said, his voice rising. "She's going to wake up. High Priestess, she's going to wake up!"
"The power of your will is strong, but not strong enough to influence such miraculous events. You need to understand that Nerelys took the full brunt of an incredibly large magical explosion. The destruction of the ring and the darkness within it, when Van's Draconian magic came into contact with an impurity in silver, created such a blast. Had she not charged forward at that exact moment, then perhaps she might have awakened by now. It has been a month, Qual. A full lunar pass. You must begin to consider-"
"Hitomi Kanzaki woke, did she not?" Qual demanded. He glared at Ner's pale form.
"Kanzaki Hitomi was protected by the Dragon Lord's immortal soul and wings, not to mention your wild dash. You both protected your charges. I am proud."
Qual's eyes glowed. He wanted that, wanted his High Priestess to be proud of him. It was all he had ever wanted, until now. Now he wanted Ner to wake up, wanted spunky, feisty f-word spewing Ner back so they could ride somewhere into the sunrise together, because that was what they were meant to do. Forever.
The word forever can mean a lot of things.
"Dammit, Ner. Wake up!" he wanted to shake her, but he knew it wouldn't do much good, if not more damage.
God damn magical shockwaves. From what he understood, the chaotic collapse of the hallway had been triggered by a sudden lack of vibrations supporting it, in which case all vibrations had escaped outward in one huge, colossal blast, where Ner had taken most of the blow as she dashed forward to save him.
Oh, Ner.
Stupid, stupid, stupid Ner.
She did her job, in the end.
She did her job.
He looked back at her. "She's not going to make it, is she?" he said softly. "Please tell me she will."
"I do not know. As before. . .the presence of the Tsubasa no Kami clouds my visions. I realize this has been a hard time for you, Qual."
He smiled faintly and voiced his thoughts. "Stupid Ner. She did her job, though. Didn't she, High Priestess? She did her job."
Sora mirrored his saddened smile. "Yes, Qual. She did her job."
Azure 19. Mystic Moon in Eastern Sky.
Lord Van got married today! It was kind of a sad thing, and Lord Van and Lady Hitomi wanted to postpone the wedding (again!?) because this woman named Ner died. She helped save Hitomi, I guess. I helped Hitomi pick out her dress. And a necklace. She looked wonderful. Burgundy really suits her, you know? I don't know why. It just sets off her eyes and gives her this nice, warm glow. Hitomi's always had a glow. But she looks great in burgundy. I would be at the party, but I wanted to give the newlyweds some privacy. They'll need it; they're always so lovey-dovey and just can't keep their lips off each other for a single second!! Well. . .I suppose me and Ruku are kind of like that.
I felt really bad for Ner's friend. I think his name was Qual. He was okay, because the magic wave went from outside his shielding or whatever. Lord Van promised to explain some more of this magic stuff to me when he and Hitomi get back from their honeymoon.
It was really strange, too, because they're somehow going to the Mystic Moon. . .? I'm not sure if they'll be able to get back, and Lord Van's stupid advisors won't stop worrying. I don't know. Hitomi wants to say hi to her mom and brother and her two friends. Who've been married for some time now. It's kind of strange. They're really young, Hitomi says. Amano (that's his name) is still in college in a place called America.
Poor Qual. I think he really loved Ner. I mean, I didn't get to know either of them during this entire Guaneth mess, but I'm sure they'll see each other again someday.
True love sure is cute, isn't it?
Ariel
20th of Azure
The Mystic Moon hangs in the East tonight. Onii-sama, Merla and I were up all night yesterday celebrating. Van and Hitomi finally got married! I'm thinking about going to Asturia for a little with my brother and Merla. Poor King Aston is sick again-he's been ill for some time, and we're going to go see him. I'll get to hang out with Merla's little sister. She's only eleven years old. I'm seventeen. I think she might actually listen to me. It would be really nice to have a niece. She would be my niece, right? We could do all sorts of fun stuff.
As for Dilandau. . .he and I have sort of come to an agreement. Kind of. It's really hard to talk to your alter ego when he's sulking. I think it's adorable, though. Dilandau's kind of fond of me, too. I think we're going to be good friends. When he's not trying to kill my brother or Van, that is. We have also both agreed no scar, no matter which form I'm in. Good thing. I can't stand scars, and apparently Dilandau hates the one Van gave him. I keep telling him it's his own fault for picking a fight with King Van, but he never listens. He misses his Dragonslayers. I tell him it's their own fault for picking a fight with the Abaharaki, but then he becomes so depressed that I have to feel somewhat sorry for him. I mean, really, really depressed. So depressed he doesn't even have the energy to curse Van or yell for fire. If you ask me, that's a serious case of depression, when a pyromaniac doesn't even care about fire anymore.
I'm so tired. I think I'm going to call it quits for tonight. I feel really sorry for Qual. His friend Ner died about a month ago. Right after Daedalus attacked Fanelia. I don't know exactly what happened, but I guess it was pretty traumatic for everyone who was there. I was so worried about Onii-sama when he was knocked out for a bit. Merla, too. I don't think I've ever cried so hard. Well. . .
I'm yawning right now. Goodnight. And no, Dilly, you can not attack Van tonight.
Celena Schezar
Aughest 12th
My big sister got marryed today!! Well, yesterday, actually. I'm writing this in her dairy since I don't have one just yet and my spelling must be really bad. But I don't care. She actually came home!! I don't know how. Amano couldn't be there (he has exams or something) but Yukari got a plain here. Mom was SO happy. She finally got to meet King Vaun in person. He seems nice enuff, but if I find out he hurts my sister, I'm gonna kill him. I guess I'm very protektive of my sister, two. He was really nice to me. He brought me a wooden sword and everything. Mom's been planning there hunny-moon for a while now. Their going to a place in America with Yukari. They might stay with Yukari and Amano, but maybe not. There's an adult world I don't know about. Something about beds and hotel rooms.
It isn't fair! I wanted to go with them. But of course I was too yung to be goin to Las Vegas or whatever they call it.
I think I'm gonna go call my friends to come over. I can't tell them who Vaun really is, because then otherwise we'd all get into trubbul. I can say he's my sister's husband and everything.
I gotta go now. Hitomi's calling. I don't know how they got back home but it was great they did!! I woulda really missed em if they didn't!
Kanzaki Kenji
Dear Mel,
I saw a strange man today. I suppose he and his girlfriend just got married. They looked so happy, my heart practically melted. They were on my flight to Las Vegas. I handed them their peanuts and asked if they wanted coffee. The man wrinkled his nose as asked what coffee was, and his girlfriend had to explain it to him, but he got one all the same. And hated it. Still, it was cute. I hope they have fun. About me and Patrick, we're coming back to PA as soon as we can.
Yours truly, Lori Williams
PS: I wonder where they were from? Who NEVER would've heard of coffee? And the man was very handsome, I thought (no offense to Pat) but he had on the strangest clothing. And I heard him talking to his girlfriend about if his sword was going to get to their hotel safely. She was giggling. Maybe he reenacts renaissance or something. Or they're going to be part of a play.
EPILOGUE
"DILANDAU, SLOW DOWN!!!" Celena shrieked. "YOU SAID YOU'D LET ME WIN!!!"
"AIN'T DOIN' NOTHIN'!!" Dilandau howled back. "HAVEN'T YOU LEARNED BY NOW THAT I NEVER KEEP ANY OF MY PROMISES?!"
And, with Celena lagging behind slightly, the two (one solid and the other slightly transparent,) sprinted towards the finish line, where King Van and his wife Hitomi and their son, little Prince Folken, were waiting with the prize-a new confection the Lady Hitomi had introduced to Gaea, ice cream.
Well. . .that's that. The end of the Rebel King. I hoped you liked it. And I want to thank those of you who have stuck with this story from the start. As for Dilly and Celena. . .I'll leave that to your imagination as to what happens.
Aww. . .she's so sad right now. Look. . .she's crying!! *sobs* That's the end!! The end. . .waaaaaah!!!! *sniffle*
For those of you who've stuck with this story since the beginning last year- wow. . .I just remembered that I posted this story two years ago in May- thank you SO MUCH! I don't think I'd've gotten through this baby without your support. And for the rest of you guys, thanks anyway! I'm very sorry about the seventh month lag, too.
DragonSun
PS: Maybe it won't be the end. . .? I dunno yet. You decide. I might add another chapter "Forever" on, but who knows? It'll be about one of little Folken's escapades. ^_^ Ah! I've got it. . .it'll be The Rebellious Prince or something! Look for it!!!! ^_^
*hint hint*
Um, the new story is gonna be about Qual, Ner, Prince Folken, King Van, Queen Hitomi. . .and Ariel's daughter. . .
Suggestions appreciated!
THANK YOU!!!!
Fin!