Date. 03.16.2002
Time.12.26 am
Music. I am actually watching the Vision of Escaflowne as we speak. I'm at the part when Hitomi is unconscious and Van (squee!) brings her back with the CPR stuff.
Chapter 3

Copyright. I do not own the Vision of Escaflowne or any of its characters. I do, however, own all the characters that I did create.

Author's Notes. Well! After careful consideration and a positive influence of feedback (especially jojo and riverdolphin-- THANKS =^^= ) I have decided to continue with the story. I have too many ideas to let them go to waste. I wasn't having a good couple of weeks and I just wanted to stop doing everything for awhile. But now the kat is great, so off I go again, avoiding my workies for finals. Oops. Amaiko, you asked if you could use Ashira to represent the Devil or something for Tarot cards perhaps? That is totally cool… GO FOR IT!!! And when you're done, I want to see!!

The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid

Chapter 3. Peace of Mind

* * *

Damn it, Khan! Move faster!

Sellie mentally screamed at the horse, gripping his mane and falling into his rhythm once more. She hated using reins, so she tied them to the saddle horn. Everything flew besides her as she and the beast moved as one along the dirt main road. She glanced behind her, seeing Lupin keeping up with them at a remarkable rate.

The castle walls were within her sights as she rounded the corner. A wagon drawn by four horses ambled along slowly, blocking the entire width of the road. Sellie urged Khan to pass them.

"Heya, Princess!" the man from the cart shouted to her as she raced by them. "Good day to you!" He tipped his cap.

"Good day to you, sir!" she replied politely, and tightened her hold on Khan's mane. She waved up to the sentries for them to open the main gates. One of them waved back, and signaled for the large, double doors to unlock. She didn't have to prove to them that she was Fanelian and royalty; she past by these same guards almost everyday with Khan and Lupin that they knew her instantly.

Khan's hooves suddenly hit the cobblestone streets with such an impact that he stumbled a bit, but soon returned to his normal pace. Sellie didn't bother slowing him down… she knew that at this rate, he wouldn't until he reached the stables.

Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the busiest time of the day in the market area. The streets were filled with people selling products, women drying lines of clothes, children playing with toy swords. Khan managed to maneuver around the pedestrians with ease and ran up the hill to the peak of the capital.

As soon as she past the entry, she spotted the Crusade on the landing pad, its motors winding down. She could see some of the crew unloading and tying up the fans, but she didn't recognize any of them. Did Allen get new members?

Khan finally slowed down, but still pranced about in front of the barn. One of the stable boys came out quickly and held his reins as Sellie dismounted.

"You know, Highness," he said as he stroked Khan's silver coat. "You shouldn't let him run into the palace at that speed. It's really dangerous."

She shrugged her shoulders and grabbed her bag from the saddle. "I don't control him. He does whatever he likes."

He shook his head and pulled Khan into the stables. Sellie blew a kiss after him and he whickered.

She swung her satchel around herself and briskly walked across the courtyard. She couldn't see her parents anywhere, but that did not mean anything. For some reason, her mother had an adept sense that she seemed to know everything, as though she could see right through her and know the contents of her mind. Sellie felt that she could never hide anything from her. It must have been one of those skills she had from living on the Mystic Moon for so long.

She loved her parents dearly. At some times, they acted like they were her own age. And then they could turn around and rule Fanelia with such wisdom and dignity. No wonder the people of their country adored their rulers… they were so… human and normal.

She strived to make them proud of her, sometimes going out of her way to make them smile. Apparently, her mother had done amazing things for Gaea when she was a teenager… long before Sellie was born. Whenever the Knight Caeli Allen Schezar and his Crusade crew would come and visit them, she would sit down and listen to their stories of their travels, especially the ones during the Great War. Allen would say something about Mother and she would blush profusely. "Stop it, Allen! You're teasing!" she would say sometimes.

But all of them… Allen, Mother, Father, the crew… they were all hiding something from her and it was killing her to know what.

"Selmé!" someone shouted. She spun around quickly, expecting to see her mother's face with her arms crossed,

Instead, she spotted Celena waving at her.

"Celena!" she shrieked and ran over to her. The silver-haired woman dropped her bags and greeted the girl with a warm hug.

"Hello, my dear!" she said. "How have you been?"

Sellie broke away. "I'm good, life is good." She looked at her. Celena wore dark brown pants with a tight vest over a white shirt. A large leather belt sat loosely off her hips with a long dagger at her side. Her long hair was tied back into a simple braid. "How are you? Did you bring my father home?"

Celena nodded. "Yep, but only for a few days. He's got to go back to Cassia." She grinned. "And I think he has a surprise for you, too. He's been talking about it the entire trip."

Sellie shifted uneasily. "I can't see him just yet…" she said. "I'm supposed to be in lessons right now and…"

"Ah," she replied, holding up her hand to stop her. "Say no more. I know of this 'skipping of learning' that you speak of." She looked around. "He's already gotten off the Crusade. I don't know where he went… he had to see Hitomi… Allen's right behind me." She gave Sellie another hug. "But I'll make sure that I distract whoever I see… and then, tonight… do I have some stories to tell you."

Sellie beamed. "Thanks!" she said, then snuck into the palace.

Celena looked after the girl just as Allen walked up behind her, his long blonde hair swaying in the breeze.

"Wasn't that Selmé?" he asked. His sister nodded in reply. "What makes me think that we can't tell Hitomi about this little incident?"

"Tell me what?" a cheery voice made the two siblings turn around.

"Hitomi!" Allen and Celena cried at the same time, embracing their friend. She let out a ringing laugh as she returned the gesture.

"I'm glad to you see you, too!" she said. "This was unexpected."

"Well, you know Van…" Celena said. "Couldn't stand being so far away from you for such a long time."

Hitomi blushed. She shook her head and smiled again. "Come in… I'm sorry I'm not dressed appropriately or what… I was running and, oh whatever… We have some rooms ready… you guys know where they are, right?"

"Of course…" Allen picked up Celena's bags as well as his own. "It's not like we practically live here or anything." He joined the other Crusade members and walked into the palace. The two women slowly followed.

"So how are you, my friend?" Celena asked her. "I haven't spoken to you in such a long time."

Hitomi sighed. "I'm good, I'm good… you know, I still think about home everything…" she gestured to the Earth above, barely visible in the daylight. "I try not to let Van think I miss it constantly… but it's kinda hard not to. I mean, it's where I was born and raised."

Celena nodded in agreement. "But your transition from the Mystic Moon to Gaea was alright, right? From all the stories that you told us about your planet, it would seemed like it would be difficult."

Hitomi kicked the ground. "It was a little, but Van was there… every step of the way… so were all my friends here… you, Allen, Merle, Millerna, Dryden…" She quickly added. "But I'm fine now. 100 percent Gaean!"

The young women giggled softly. "And how is Merle doing?"

"She's been really busy with the twins lately… they're almost four years old now… Sellie and I help her out, but I can see into her heart that she is lonely."

Celena shook her head. "Poor Nehte… he never got see his own children."

"Van feels horrible for sending him on that carrier ship… we never knew that it would malfunction and crash… Merle hasn't shown any accusation towards him, but he still feels like its his own fault."

"Where is Merle now? I would like to see her and play with the twins."

"Hmmmm…" Hitomi thought. "She might be in the Nursery. I'm sure that the twins would love another playmate."

"Alright, I'll let you go off and take your bath." Celena quickly gave her a kiss on the cheek. "We'll talk later, okay?" She turned and walked up to where the sleeping quarters were.

"By the way, Celena…" she called after her. "You haven't seen Sellie, have you?"

Celena grinned. "Nope."

* * *

"Lupin, be quiet!" she hissed at the wolf following her. He lowered his ears and his tail ducked between his hind legs. His nails were clipping along the hardwood floors, making a ruckus that could raise suspicion.

Not that her obvious state of uncleanness would give her away. She had mud caked from her ankles to her knees with leaves stuck in her messy hair. Her pants were cut half way up her calf, and also stained by the mud. She did not even bother wearing her sandals. She shoved them into her bag. Maybe she could get to her bedroom in time and change her clothes. Just maybe.

She slipped in unnoticed by the servants wandering around the palace, tending to their daily duties. It's not like they would be looking for her. She found these people to be kind and sometimes, sneak her snacks after hours.

She drew back some drapery and peaked outside, seeing Celena talking to her mother. Good, she'll distract her. But where is Father?

She shrugged her shoulders and continued to her room. The hallway was empty and long, towards a secluded part of the castle. It contained her own room, a few guestrooms, her father's study, and the Nursery. Her parents' room was the next hall over, so perhaps Father went there first to drop off his bags.

She walked casually down the long corridor and did not happen to notice that the study door was open wide.

"Selmé!" a deep masculine voice called after her, a voice she recognized all too well.

She sighed and backtracked to the open doorway. "Hi, Daddy," she said meekly.

Van stood at his desk with his back facing her, his body bent over the counter. He held a quill and was signing some documents. He wore his everyday clothes that made him seem comfortable.

"So were the fish biting today?" he asked calmly, not looking up as he scribbled his signature at the bottom of the page.

Sellie snorted. "More like tree branches," she muttered. "I'm sorry I'm not in lessons today, Daddy, but… it was too nice of a day! I couldn't be stuck in there listening to Palos drown on about famous military actions that happened long ago!"

"Those 'famous military actions' turned what are now the countries of Gaea as they are today," he replied coolly.

"But you and Uncle Folken used to go out, too! You said it yourself!"

Van mentally winced at the sound of his brother's name but ignored it. "And you shouldn't base your actions on what me and Folken did." He turned around. "Aren't you going to give me a hug or what?" he asked, grinning.

She looked at him cautiously. "Am I in trouble?" she asked.

"As long as you don't go out again…" he said. Or get caught.

Sellie slowly smiled and ran into his open arms. "How was Cassia?" she asked.

"Long… tiring… but it was alright in general," he said as they broke the embrace. "Dryden and Millerna were there… so was Rouen."

Sellie stuck out her tongue in disgust. "Ugh… I'm glad I wasn't dragged along."

"Funny you should mention that… I'm going back in a few days, and I'm bringing you and Hitomi with me."

"WHAT?!" Sellie shouted in protest and surprise. "Why?"

"King Ladron wanted to meet you," Van said. "He has a son about your age too. The three of you should have fun together."

"The last time I saw Rouen, he put a big knot in my hair, Daddy," she pouted. "Somehow I think I won't be too pleased to see him again."

He chuckled. "Well, we'll see… but you're still coming. You'll like Cassia. It's also a mountain valley country, but theirs is a lot more open than Fanelia. There is a huge lake and waterfall and… wait a minute… I forgot about something…"

He reached over to his small leather bag resting upon the old mahogany desk, next to the formal papers he had just signed. "I saw this in the marketplace and I know that your birthday isn't for another seven colors… but I thought of you when I saw it."

He handed her a rectangular box covered in parchment paper. She took the package into her hands and removed the paper gently. Under her fingers, she could feel the smooth glaze of wood as she revealed a hand carved box. The intricate design of ivy leaves wove on all sides of the box. A large flying dragon symbol sat upon the lid, with ruby eyes staring back at her. She ran her fingers over the cut wood.

"Daddy…" she murmured. "It's beautiful… I don't know what to say… thank you."

"Open it," he said, leaning on his desk with his arms crossed. He loved watching the way her eyes lit up, just like her mother's.

She cracked the lid and could hear the whirring of a mechanism inside. As she pulled the lid up, simple notes struck and a melody played. She did not recognized the tune, but it sounded like a lullaby she once knew.

"The vender that sold it to me said that this was an old song that was sung long ago in Cassia," Van said as the music played. "He didn't know what the lyrics were, but he told me about the story of the song.

"It's about a faerie-child that lived in the forest long ago. She danced upon the wildflowers with her bare feet, and there were flowers and ivy tied into her hair. She was a free-spirit… nothing could hold her down. She never listened to her other faerie-kin, she just lived on her own free will.

"One day, she came across an ancient dragon that made her realize her destiny… and she finally settled down, though her wild spirit still resided in her heart."

Sellie looked up at her father, then back at the box. "Why did this make you think of me?" she asked, afraid of his answer.

Van chuckled. "I'm not too sure… I laid my hand upon it, and a vision of you flashed into my mind… and I've learned from Hitomi to go with my instinct…"

"It's wonderful, Daddy… thank you again," Sellie said, her eyes sparkling. She gave her father a quick kiss on the cheek, not noticing that Van's face was filled with amazement and surprise. When he stood back up, he shook his head.

"So what have you been up to since I've been gone?" he asked as they left his study and pursued down the hall towards Sellie's room.

"Not much… studying, helping Aunt Merle with the twins, fishing, sparring lessons… I totally beat General Tybel during one of my lessons. You should have seen it, the castle samurai were laughing so hard and General Tybel turned this bright shade of red. Mom was watching, too… she just smiled…"

"I wish I was here to see that…" Van said thoughtfully, picturing the tall, strong experienced warrior with a blade at his throat from a small 13 year-old girl.

They reached her room and she pushed the wooden doors open. Her room was furnished with matching dark pink draperies and comforters. Her large bed was covered with many pillows, each one different from the next. The doors to her balcony were open slightly as a gentle spring breeze blew the curtains about. She walked across the room and shut them. She then walked to her nightstand and placed the music box next to her candle. Lupin settled himself upon her bed and soon fell asleep.

Van leaned in the entrance, watching his daughter wander about her room. His heir to Fanelia. His own flesh and blood. The life that he and Hitomi created together.

"Daddy? Would you like to spar with me some time today?" she asked softly.

"Huh?" he broke from his reverie. "Later this afternoon… is that alright? We'll make it a date."

She nodded as she grabbed some clean garments from her armoire. "I'm really happy you've returned… there was something in the back of my mind… a voice… that was telling me that Cassia wasn't safe… but you're safe now."

She waved good-bye and walked into her bathroom. Van remained in the door jam, still staring after her. He shrugged his shoulders and left the room, heading back towards his study. Suddenly, a memory flashed into his mind.

---Hitomi screamed again… and there was nothing he could do for her.

Van leapt from his hard chair leaning in the hallway. A few servants had brought them for the impatient crew waiting there. He hadn't really been using one… instead, he paced across the floor so much, he thought that there would be an intention of where he walked.

Before he could reach the double-doors, both Allen and Gaddes caught him. He tried to break free, but the combined strength of the two older men overcame him.

"Van! Calm down! This will all be over soon!" the Knight Caeli shouted at him, but the sound didn't register to him as words.

"But she… Hitomi… she…" he blurted out.

"Lord Van! She's in good hands! Millerna is in there with her!" he could hear Merle shout at him. He sighed… and finally gave up struggling, retreating back to his chair.

Allen and Gaddes let go of him, joining Dryden along side the wall. Celena stood on the other side of the King of Asturia, holding his own first born… a son already eleven colors previously last Yellow. Merle and her fiancée, Nehte, sat upon the other chairs that the servants brought.

Van felt insignificant as he remained on his chair, nervously tapping his foot. He could hear moans of pain and urgent commands from the midwives from inside. Millerna had forbade Van to come inside, saying only the nurses could be with her. He began to protest, but the Queen simply shut the door in his face.

do not worry, child… i am with her as well…

That familiar airy voice entered his mind again. Gaea?

i am with her…

Somehow, her simple words comforted him a bit. He eased into his chair.

Minutes went by as if they were hours. Tension filled the hall as each second passed. Van cringed each time he heard her scream. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.

He sent her his emotions filled with love and support along their psychic link.

Hitomi… I know you can do this… you are stronger than any other person I know… just breathe… keep them constant… I believe in you…

He received ragged visions in his head… emotions of pain… and of peace. Van…

Suddenly, the screams stopped. Only one resonated in the large birthing room. An infant cry.

All the tension that had weighted his shoulders lifted with hearing the voice of his child. He drew his head up to see the worry fade away from his comrades into happiness and relief.

Merle gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Go and see Hitomi, Van," she whispered into his ear. "I'm sure she wants to introduce you to someone."

He looked at his cat-girl friend with wide eyes, then returned his gaze to the doors. They parted in the middle, revealing a woman with black hair in rippling curls tied back into a loose knot. Her green eyes stared into his, revealing all the truth and wisdom that she knew of. Though he had not seen her for awhile now, she still looked the same… never aging.

"Gaea…" he whispered.

"Congratulations, Van Slanzar de Fanel," she continued, ignoring the fact that he recognized her in the midwife clothing. "You are a father."

He looked at her in confusion, then smiled softly. "Thank you, My Lady," he said, bowing to her. She nodded her head in reply, then moved aside so that he could enter the room.

He entered cautiously. The room had been sterilized in order of operation. A few of the nurses were cleaning their stations… folding away towels and extra swaddling. But as soon as they saw Van enter, they quickly stopped and bowed their heads to the ground. He didn't bother correcting them… telling them that he hated formalities. All he cared about was Hitomi.

She lay upon the bed with a bundle of white linens to her breast. Millerna was dabbing her face with a cool towel, but moved out of the way when she saw Van. Her hair clung to her brow with sweat and she looked extremely tired… but Van had never seen the way she glowed with beauty before. She looked up to him, her eyes showing signs of bliss and release.

"Hi," she whispered to him, forcing a smile. He sat upon the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb her.

"Hey… how are you feeling, love?" he asked, grazing the side of her face.

"Sleepy… I'm going to sleep for a long time after this… but otherwise, I'm fine." She glanced down at the bundle, then back up at him. "Van… this is your daughter."

His words were caught in his throat. I'm a father… I'm a father… I have a daughter… Hitomi shifted the child into his arms and pulled back the blanket. Van nervously peaked in.

A tiny face stared back at him, her skin flushed a bright pink. A layer of black fuzz adorned the top of her head. Her eyelashes were long, he noticed, as she continued to blink her green eyes, not yet used to this strange new world.

This child… this child is me and Hitomi… she is so beautiful…

"What are we going to call her, Van?" his wife asked.

"I… I don't know yet…" he stammered, not tearing his eyes away from the baby. "I haven't really thought of anything… you know?"

"Don't worry…" she said, calmly smiling and touching his arm. "We'll think of something perfect for our child."---

Van could remember that day as vividly as every time he had been with Hitomi before that. He could not believe that it had almost 20 years since they had known each other… since that fateful day with the land-dragon.

He sighed. What would his life be like without Hitomi or Sellie? He tried not to think of what he would be like. The two of them would be all he needed.

He returned to his study and finished the rest of his papers. He let his mind drift and wondered what Hitomi was doing at that moment. He had told her that he would see her later on that night… but he couldn't help wanting to see her earlier.

He rolled up the parchments and left them on his desk. Hitomi was going to go take a bath to relax her muscles… he thought. Maybe she would like a massage as well.

Van grabbed his traveling pack and walked to the next hall where his and Hitomi's room was. Maybe I should sneak in and surprise her.

He opened the door cautiously and shut it without a sound.

to be continued…

* * *

WEEEEEEOOOOOO! SPRING BREAK!!! Freeeeeeedom! Hehe, I am a big dork. Sorry this took so long to write, but I had a lot of drawing finals and papers. Dear God did they take forever. But I am done with this quarter and next one, I don't know how frequently I will be able to. I have 3 studios. That may not seem like a lot to you guys, but having two is enough. I'm taking Life Drawing, 3D design, and Computer Applications. I am going to be a tired little kitten! But I have nothing better to do this week… 'cept for going to Hot Topic to check out all the Invader Zim stuff and having a Cowboy Bebop marathon (or a "Bebopathon" as I call it =^^= ) anyhow, I will get working on it and have it out soon!! THANKS!

Chapter title comes from the song "Call Me, Call Me" from Cowboy Bebop. I blast it from my dorm room and I can't tell you how many people come by and say that that is their favorite song EVER! And then there are those that tell me to turn off my music… again and again.