Date. 09.04.2003

Time. 3.20 pm

Music. "Shaking the Tree" by Peter Gabriel

Epilogue

Copyright. I don't own any part of the Vision of Escaflowne.

Author's Notes. I'm going to write down my thoughts and thanks at the end of this update.

The Vision of Escaflowne. Parvulus de Crepuscid

Epilogue

* * *

Purple, 13th Moon, Year of the Sapphire (10 years after the events of "Parvulus de Crepuscid" took place)…

Rouen marveled at the unfamiliarity of the dark forest, though he had traveled this path several times before. He could swear the trail twisted and turned between the trees much more often than usual. Of course, it could be a part of his very active imagination, a skill that both he and Sellie used to its fullest level.

He had told the men accompanying him to turn around and head back to Fanelia. A twinge of guilt had crept over his shoulder for them to follow him for hours only to have them return to the capital city. But it wasn't his choice to have a party on his travels.

"There is no way that the Crown Prince of Asturia is going to be roaming around the Fanelian countryside by himself," the captain of the guard had said earlier. "Though there is peace in the world, you can never be too careful. Besides, I think Lady Selmé would have my head if I let her new husband out of my protection."

So here he was, just outside the village of Arzas with a damn army following him. Alright, it wasn't an army, just five of Fanelia's soldiers. How was he going to lose them so he could continue by himself?

"Halt!" he shouted. He pulled the reins on his horse and forced the stallion to pivot in mid-step. "Alright, I know you have your orders to protect me and all, but I promised to meet the Lady by myself, not with half of Fanelia's militia."

"Oh, *that's* where we're going?" one of the knights asked. "Why is the Lady out here?"

"Because she wanted privacy and she wanted some quietness away from the city and the palace," Rouen lied exasperatedly. "Now, I would request that I travel the rest of the way alone, and if your captain requires it so, come back tomorrow at the same time so we can return to the palace. And bring the Lady's ride. I'm sure that she'd like to travel on her own horse instead of sharing one."

He turned the horse again and continued trotting down the road, leaving the five men baffled.

"Well, what should we tell the Captain?" one called after him.

"Tell him that I beat you up and ran!"

* * *

He had told the soldiers that Sellie wanted to be away from the tiring life at the palace for a couple of days. It wasn't actually a lie; life as a Royal was demanding and strenuous. But that wasn't the reason for his traveling to the middle of nowhere.

He and Sellie had been married for four colors now, but due to their busy lives in Fanelia and Asturia, they haven't seen much of each other. Sellie had been preparing for the transition of power from her parents to herself over the past few years and had very little time to see Rouen. Hell, *he* had very little time to see her. When his mother died a few years back unexpectedly of the same disease that killed her older sister Marlene, Dryden made sure that Rouen would be able to manage the Asturian duties once he was gone. That meant a lot of extra homework on top of his normal studies.

At least Sellie knew when her turn to become Queen of Fanelia was going to be. Not long after Lady Hitomi was retrieved from the Mystic Moon that Lord Van, Sellie, and she discussed at great lengths about their futures. The Lady felt very strongly against that in order for Sellie to become the Royal Leader of their country was for both of them to die. She explained how some of the countries back on the Mystic Moon controlled their countries, which Dryden found absolutely fascinating.

It was decided upon that Sellie would become Queen in a set amount of years when Van and Hitomi would "disappear" into the Mystic Valley on one of their quests for Atlantean knowledge. Only their closest friends knew about these plans, he being one of them.

The "incident" occurred one color ago. Word soon spread around the capital city like gossip wildfire that the King and Queen perished when their leviship was torn apart in the dangerous forces surrounding the Mystic Valley (very few people had actually traveled there, so none of the stories describing the place were at all accurate). The last time Rouen had seen Sellie was at her parents' "funeral" three weeks previous.

The forest began to thin out and he could make out the dusking sky between the leaves. At last, the trees vanished and gave way to a small lake. Rouen eased back in his saddle and headed for the cabin across the waters, noticing the smoke rising from it. He hoped that dinner was ready; he was hungry enough to eat a dragon.

He was just dismounting his steed when a soft voice spoke to him: "You were taking so long, I was about to give up on you."

"Nah, my Lady," he replied. "I may be late, but I always show up." He gave the woman standing before him a big grin. "You look really good for someone who is supposed to be dead."

Hitomi shrugged her shoulders. "I try. Now come over here and give your old mother-in-law a hug."

He obeyed immediately and embraced her. "It's good to see you again," he said.

"It's fantastic to you see you," Hitomi replied, breaking their hug. "You must be thirsty. Or hungry. Or both. I have dinner cooking right now. It should be ready in about fifteen minutes or so." She took his hand and led him to the large porch connected to the cabin. Lupin lay in one of the wooden reclining chairs, giving a slight wag in his tail when he recognized Rouen. Hitomi settled in the chair containing a leather book, poured a glass of water and handed it to Rouen.

He noticed her very casual attire and wondered if it was chosen on purpose for her to "blend in" once she and Van set off on their journey. It was an old Fanelian-cut green dress with a dark green sash tied around her waist.

"So where is Sellie?" he asked finally.

Hitomi raised an eyebrow. "I was sure that the first thing you'd ask me was where was your wife," she replied. "She's out with Van. They needed special father-and-daughter 'bonding' time, if you catch my drift."

"Ah, yes," he nodded his head. "Bonding" time meant "flying" time.

"So," she added. "How is Asturia doing? When Dryden stopped by last week, he hadn't gone into deep details."

"Things are going well," he cleared his throat. "Father is giving me some 'time off' from the meetings he has set up with some country ambassadors so I can be with Sellie. It looks like I'll be able to travel to Fanelia more often now because I think Father is realizing that I can manage ruling Asturia now."

"Yes, he was talking about that briefly," Hitomi added. "But you know what? I think you're ready too. You and Sellie have challenged yourselves immensely with ruling over both Fanelia and Asturia."

"I know she could never give up her homeland. She has such pride for Fanelia. I think it will be difficult, but its for the best." He paused. "Did Father also tell you what he and Allen have been planning?"

"No," Hitomi said, completely interested. "Nor did Allen when he was here with the Crusade crew. What?"

Rouen proceeded to explain Allen's wishes to move back to Palas. His courting with Princess Eries had gotten to the point that he was finally going to ask her hand in marriage. Everyone knew he'd do it at some point. But now, the good Knight was actually going to go through with it. He asked Dryden to transfer him to the capital of Asturia so he can be with Eries.

"But wait a minute," Hitomi interrupted. "What about his post? And the Crusade?"

"That's the best part," Rouen replied, grinning. "Allen has already picked out the perfect candidate. It's just a matter of him telling Gaddes of his promotion."

"No!"

"Yep."

Hitomi was beaming. "That's wonderful news! Oh, he and Celena will be so happy! And Linden, too!" Linden was Gaddes and Celena's nine year old son.

"Father thinks there may be some trouble about Gaddes' past, but I'm sure that will get pardoned or something."

"I'm sure."

Rouen cleared his throat again after a moment of silence. "So… what do you and Van have planned for your travels?"

Hitomi flashed him a look. "Nothing, really."

"Ah, one of those spontaneous sort of adventures?"

"More like 'point your finger on a map' adventures. We'll decide in a few days."

Hitomi had never seen all of Gaea. In all of her years of residence, she barely journeyed outside of Fanelia or Asturia. Sure, there were the odd trips to Freid to visit Chid. And then there was that one trip to Cassia. Van admitted that he hadn't done much pleasure traveling either, but that was because he had no desire to when Hitomi wasn't with him.

It felt weird, hiding all this secret planning from the Fanelian people. But it was Sellie's idea for them to disappear. "Daddy, you've paid your debt to Fanelia so many times already," she told him one day when he began doubting their actions. "Mom as well. You've been Fanelia's ruler since you were fifteen. You're not running away or being cowardly. This is your time now. This is the chance for you to be just… you. You need to enjoy your life."

That convinced him.

"Are you prepared? I mean, leaving your friends and family?" he asked quietly. "Merle sure seemed sad when I saw her earlier today at the palace. Then again, it could have been one of the Twins doing something to her." It was hard to believe that Merle's girls were already teenagers.

"I think that they're ready for us to go," she laughed. "Especially Sellie. I think that she wants to prove to everyone and to herself that she can handle the 'Queen' responsibilities."

"I think she'll be able to," Rouen said. "She's a strong and mature young woman. Plus, she'll have her Advisor." He paused. "And me," he added, grinning. "Fanelia's people will be in good hands."

Hitomi nodded, then diverted her attention to something in the distance. "Ah, here they come now," she pointed out.

Indeed, they were. Rouen noticed two large shapes in the sky heading in their direction. Within seconds, he could make out the identifiable shape of Sellie in the lead with Van a-ways behind her.

Suddenly, Sellie narrowed her wings and swooped recklessly to the lake's waters. Rouen bolted out of his chair just in time to see her graze her fingers on the surface of the water. She pulled up and looked back to see Van trying to keep up with her.

"Ha! You're too slow, Dad!" she delightfully shouted. "I kicked your ass good!"

"Hmmm…" Rouen could hear Hitomi mutter. "You may have spoke too soon about the whole 'mature' thing."

"Yeah, I think I'm going to take that back," he whispered back just as he watched Sellie let her feet touch the porch with her father following her a second later. He noticed that she was casually dressed as well, though she was clad in her favorite cutoff pants and a white linen shirt.

Sellie energetically bounded into his outstretched arms and kissed him deeply, her wings wrapping around him. "Mmmm… it feels so good to be able to hug you," she said when they broke apart.

"You too," he replied. "You look beautiful, Sellie." He brushed back her loose hair.

"Why, thank you kind sir," she said. "Shall we go inside and eat? I'm starving!"

"How 'bout you two go inside and prepare the table?" Van suggested. "I need to catch my breath."

As he watched the two go inside, Van took Hitomi's hand and walked her over to the wooden chairs she and Rouen had been sitting in. In a swift motion, he retracted his wings and took a seat.

"You look exhausted," she commented.

"I am," he replied, breathing in deeply. "Ever since you transferred the Power of Atlantis to her, she is just bustling with all that energy. I wonder how Rouen is going to handle it."

"Oh, I'm sure Rouen can *handle* it," Hitomi said, smiling.

"Don't even go there. I don't want to think about that." He glanced at her with a smirk on his face.

They fell silent and watched the first stars twinkle their ways onto the great black vastness. The Mystic Moon and its smaller sibling reflected in the still lake almost perfectly.

Hitomi leaned over and squeezed Van's hand. "We have to decide if we want to go to Earth first or not," she said. "We might as well go around Gaea while we're here."

"Sounds good," Van agreed. "But I thought we said no planning out our course?"

"Well, we kinda have to figure out which world we're going to first, now don't we, silly?" She pushed herself up out of the chair and held out her hand to help him to his feet. "C'mon. Dinner's almost ready, and I don't want to miss any more time with Sellie."

He took her hand, but instead of helping himself to his feet, he calmly pulled Hitomi into his arms. She giggled at his playfulness.

"I think they can wait a moment or two," he said just before he kissed her.

* * *

Many years later…

"Wasn't that an interesting story?" she asks the boy nestled in her bed.

"But Great-Grandma, you have changed it!" Frayn points out. "You left out the part with…"

"Yes, I know, dearest," she replies. "But you've heard these stories so many times, I'm sure by now you'd be able to tell *me* how it goes."

"I can't tell stories like how you tell them, Great-Grandma," he claims.

"Why, thank you. But that compliment won't get you another story so you can stay up later. Don't you have to go to Asturia in the morning?"

"Yeah, but its no big deal. Father just wants me and Karia…"

"Karia and I."

"…to see the cirque, but I don't want to."

"That sounds like something fun. I think you better get going."

"I agree, Frayn." Sellie walks into the bedroom. "Great-Grandma needs her rest. You're wearing her out."

He pouts, but nevertheless leans over and kisses his great-grandmother on the cheek. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, precious," she replies as he disappears outside the room.

Sellie draws the curtains to a close and lights a few more candles along the walls. "So which story did His Royal Highness request of you?" she asks.

"The one about the dragon and me going to Earth."

"Ah, that one again," she sits on the edge of the bed, straightening up some of the books spread out over the comforters.

"Just leave them there, honey, I'm going to look through some of them tonight."

She sighs. "Alright, Mom. But don't stay up too late." She kisses her on the cheek opposite where Frayn kissed her. "Did Anyada and Karia come in and say goodnight as well?"

"Yes, just before you did."

Sellie looks at her momentarily, questioning the funny look that she catches in her mother's eye. She gently squeezes her hand. "Goodnight, Mom. I love you. You know that, right?"

"Or course, I know. I love you, too."

Sellie exits the room, leaving her to her journals and her memories.

It is just as she remembers it. Somehow, she had been able to capture those precious moments perfectly in her journal with such eloquent words. As her wrinkled fingers flattens out the weather-worn paper, she reads on about that night in the cabin so many years ago and remembers the scene without flaw:

"Dinner was hearty and full of laughter and conversation. Rouen discussed some politics with Van, but I could tell that Van didn't want to dig too deeply into the business he'd be leaving behind shortly. I think Rouen took the hint and changed the subject. I mentioned about the different visitations we had from all of our friends. Merle was the first with her two girls. They have taken so much after their mother, right down to the last obsessive personality trait. They are currently studying to work in the palace as Advisors once they have reached their eighteenth birthday. Allen, Gaddes, Celena, Linden and the rest of the Crusade boys spent a few days as well. I guess Allen couldn't tell us of his 'collaborations' with Dryden due to Gaddes' presence. But what good news for them! Then Dryden came with Sellie, and Rouen brings in the final stopover.

"I think Sellie was forcing herself to be cheery after dinner for my sake and for Van's. This will be the first time in her life that neither of us will be around, but I tell her that it is all a part of growing up. I told her that back on Earth, people tend to move away from their parents at about eighteen years of age. I know that the cultures are different here, but I think it helped her a little.

"Rouen informed us that he and Sellie would be leaving for Fanelia in the late morning. I don't know how I'm going to be at that point. I believe I'm doing fine right now, but I bet tomorrow, I'll be a wreck."

She chuckles to herself. How accurately she predicted her near future. She doesn't understand how her own mother had been able to say good-bye to her.

She flips through the pages of the diary, briefly stopping to read some passages. She shuts the leather book she holds in her lap and opens the next.

Over the years, she has accumulated quite a collection of journals. Ever since she acquired the Power of Atlantis all those years ago, she wrote down every bit of information that she could find as well as her personal thoughts. These 'bits' have filled several books and have become aptly known as "The Atlantis Diaries." She hopes that the notes that she jotted down is organized enough for others to read and follow, not caring in the least if they read her own life adventures.

She pauses on one page, a sentence popping out about one of their trips around Japan. She smiled as she read on about Van's first trip to the Disney theme park. He did not understand how the children found people dressed up in the costumes so fascinating. He tells her that if he had come here as a child, he'd be afraid for his life. He found the Pirates of the Caribbean to be absolutely terrifying, but he could not stop going on It's a Small World.

She recalls some of their many adventures on Gaea and on Earth. At first, it was just her showing him some of the sights of her homeland while they stayed with her mother. He liked how her community was calm and quiet, rather than the industrious larger cities. Her brother had started his own business and became very wealthy. He managed to send them to other countries, like America and many of the European ones.

In total, they spent about fifteen years on the road on both worlds. They spent quite a while in many of the places they visited, completely indulging in their attractions. But in the end, they mutually decided that it was time to go home.

So she and Van spent the rest of their days in their secret hideaway. Sellie and Rouen had been using it as an escape from their lives at the palace. They soon found out that they were grandparents: Sellie and Rouen's firstborn, a girl of course, named Anyada Narya de Fanel Aston, followed shortly (by only a year) with Grae Mardil de Fanel Aston, a boy. With peace reigning over Gaea, it was easy for the children to be in one country or the other, along with both of their parents. After many meetings and deliberations, they decided upon that Anyada would remain in Fanelia to learn how to rule whereas Grae would live with his father in Asturia.



They finally were able to meet their grandchildren in the secret of the lake cabin, along with other friends. Anyada, with her charismatic personality, had no problem that her grandparents were gone for the entirety of her life. Grae, however, took a bit more time to warm up. But once he did, he was just as chatty as his sister.

From then on, the children would visit Van and her in the cabin yearly so they could celebrate their joint birthdays, after they had their own celebrations with their friends in Fanelia and in Asturia.

This went on for a few more years, until she noticed one day how old she felt. Both she and Van were in their sixties, an age, she soon learned that not many people reached on Gaea.

And them it happened

It was a rainy night, not extraordinarily late in the evening. But to someone at their age, time moved differently. As she settled in one of her favorite chairs, Van simply stood up, kissed her, and told her that he was going to bed. She asked if he was alright, if he needed anything.

"I'm just a little tired," was all he said.

And that was the last time he spoke to her.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep. She felt it within the moment he was gone, like a little tug at her heart, then a snap, then nothing. Sellie felt it too, and arrived at the cabin the next day with a few of her personal soldiers.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Sellie could see the saddened look on her mother's face. "I think I am," she replied. "I just need to keep the faith that I'll see him one day again."

Sellie forbade her to stay in the cabin and had her move back into the palace so she could be with her grandchildren. When palace personnel questioned the former Fanelian Queen's reappearance, Sellie simply dismissed them, saying that she must have been trapped in the Mystic Valley all this time.

That was years ago, she thinks. She has watched her daughter rule the land with such elegance and assurance. She has watched her grandchildren grow into young adults. Princess Anyada has already married and has had two beautiful children, first Princess Karia and then Prince Frayn.

Oh, Van. I hope you can see how the Fanels have flourished!

She thinks for a moment, knowing that her time here is shortening. She reaches over to her bedside nightstand and retrieves a blank parchment and pen and begins to write, letting the words form themselves:

Dearest Sellie,

I can't begin to express the happiness I have felt watching you and your children grow throughout these long years. When I was traveling, I feared that I would never get to see any of my grandchildren. How wonderful both Anyada and Grae are. And Karia and Frayn. My hopes for the future of Gaea are in safe care.

I am passing the Atlantis Diaries onto you, Sellie. As you are the Guardian of the Power of Atlantis still, it is necessary for you to understand its energies. In these books are the basics of the Atlanteans' alphabet, their system of government, the purpose of the pendant you wear round your neck, almost anything you need. Please, use them and add your own discoveries. Pass them down the line when it is time for Anyada to be the Guardian. These books are meant to be used. She must understand why it is so important to perform this duty. I was the First.

I spoke with Gaea a few times years ago. We agreed that she would let our lives play out, that she would not interfere anymore, and that she would only be called upon in times of great need involving the Power of Atlantis. It is important not to have supernatural intervention.

I am sorry that I must go, but you know in your heart that you'll understand my reasons. I have had so many blessings in my life, much more than what I expected. I am honored to be a great-grandmother. But there is still an emptiness inside of me.

Just know that wherever I am, I will be at peace and I will be happy.

With all the love I possess,

Hitomi

She stares thoughtfully at the letter, folds it over and writes Sellie's name on the outside. She stacks the books on the bedside table and places the note at the very top. She leans back into the soft pillows and shuts her eyes.

She has them closed for only a moment when she hears someone calling her name. A voice that she has not heard for what seems like an eternity. She opens her eyes to see him standing beside her. He appears to be real enough to touch, but he looks like the same hotheaded young King he was when they first met, dressed in his familiar red shirt and khaki riding pants. He is even wearing his silly grin upon his face.

"I knew you were going to come," she whispers to him.

He just smirks at her. "Are you ready?" he asks. His voice is his, and yet, ethereal.

She smiles back. "Is it that simple?"

"It is." He holds out his ungloved hand.

She takes it into hers, and gasps when she sees her own hand is young and strong once again. Suddenly, she is on her feet. She embraces him, thrilled to be able to hold him in her arms. She looks back to see her older self sleeping serenely with a smile on her face.

The room disappears into a swirling mist. He keeps a tight hold on her hand still. "We were all surprised at how long you held in there," he comments.

"Sorry?"

"We all have been waiting for you. You were the last of us."

"Yes, I know. I am sorry."

He stops her. "Don't be," he says. "But before we move on, you must choose."

"Choose?"

"We all have a choice. We can move on and be with our friends and our family. Or…" he gestures to the other direction. "We can go back. Live again."

She thinks for a moment. "Let's go back," she finally says.

He laughs. "That is what you always choose. Every time."

She smiles. "If you knew what the answer would be, then why would you ask?"

"Because I want to know if you would ever consider the other option."

She grabs his hand. "Come on," she says. "It will be fun. We can find each other again."

He grins and kisses her. "I'll see you soon," he whispers into her ear.

He disappears in front of her eyes, and suddenly she feels heavy once more. The mist darkens and her environment becomes obscure and wet. She realizes that she is about to be born into the world and into her new life. But all of her memories of her previous life are quickly being stripped away in preparation for new ones.

She hopes that she will be able to find him once more. She knows she will.

Its just a matter of time before she does.

* * *

And their story and my journey

And the lesson they provide

Draw their strength and inspiration

From a love that never dies.

That's it! I'm all done! The Escaflowne Saga is over. I want to give a special thanks to all those who have kept with both Rota Fortunae and Parvulus de Crepuscid all of this time. And I want to give a really big thanks to all of you who reviewed.

Anyada is named for my non-blood related cousin.

The lyrics above come from the ending song of Aida sung by the Princess.