Okay here is the next chapter! It's kind of short but I didn't get much feedback from the prologue. *Reclines in chair* So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Note: I do not own any Escaflowne characters *cries* I know it's sad but true! But the characters Aravase, Tony, and Cale are mine!

Finding the Lost

Chapter 1

"Allen! Hitomi! It's wonderful that you could come. It's been a long time." Van led them inside the castle; "Millerna and Dryden will be arriving soon as well."

"Hitomi!" Merle tackled Hitomi with a hug; "I miss you all so much."

"Hey, I missed you too Merle, but right about now I miss breathing the most!" Merle sheepishly backed away and the two smiled at each other.

Allen looked out the window, "I must admit Van, Fanelia looks amazing. You have gotten a lot done in these six years."

"Thanks Allen. The workers finish tomorrow and that will be the start of the celebration, but now that it's finished I'm not quite sure what to do next."

Somebody cleared their throat, "There is a position for Queen you could attempt to fill. You have been avoiding it for too long already."

Van blushed, "Cale, this is hardly the time for this discussion!" Cale countered, "And for you there never will be a right time Your Majesty." Van Glared; "Get to the point please! You're here for a different reason than badgering me about a Queen. So what is it?"

Cale cleared his throat again; "Their Royal Highnesses King Dryden and Queen Millerna have arrived."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Everyone had decided to retire for the night. They had spent hours reminiscing and catching up on the others lives over a small informal dinner.

Van leaned up against the smooth railing of his balcony. He gazed up at the two moons that were embedded in a sea of shimmering stars. Then his gaze faltered from the sky to examine a small ring he had been fiddling with.

It was a simple but elegant, silver ring and it had a deep purple amethyst sparkling in the center. It was hung around Van's neck on a small silver chain.

~*Flashback*~

Van couldn't get the courage to look into her face. He uneasily shifted positions, "Well… I guess this is…um… I guess this is goodbye."

"Oh Van," the young girl sighed. "This isn't goodbye. Goodbye means forever. Think of it more as a see you soon!"

Van meekly looked up into her eyes, "But it is goodbye Ara, and you…" he sighed, "you know it!" Aravase frowned. She looked at him a moment longer and then pulled her ring off of her finger. "Don't you forget me okay? Because I'll be coming back for this!" Their hands brushed for a little longer that needed, and when she backed away Van swore he saw a tear run down her cheek.

Aravase curtsied, "Fare Thee well, Your Majesty!" She giggled softly. She looked at him one last time and became serious, "See ya soon, Van!" A blue column of light came down and took her back to her home on Earth (the Mystic Moon). Van stared at her floating form till she was long gone, and then he stared at the small amethyst ring she had given him and held it to his heart. He whispered, "See you soon, Ara."

~* End Flashback *~

Van sighed, "are you sure it wasn't goodbye Ara? Soon seems so far away." Van once again turned his eyes to the sky just in time to catch a shooting star stream by. "Hmm," Van had remembered Hitomi tell him that if you wish hard enough on a shooting star that your wish would come true. "Why not? What harm could it possibly do?" Van closed his eyes and whispered, "I wish I could see Aravase just one last time!" Van stood very still and when nothing happened he sighed and gave a heart wrenching, "Please!" He then headed back for his room and turned back for a final glance at the Mystic Moon. He was nearly blinded by a bright blue column of light that had shot down from the sky. It had landed in the gardens and only one thought ran through his mind, "Aravase…"

*Hey there! It's me again! Your friendly neighborhood author! I really don't feel like anyone likes my story! I NEED MORE REVIEWS! I want at least five reviews before I continue on to chapter two! Ideas are very much welcome as well as CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. No Flames *heart wrenching* PLEASE!" TTFN! Ta Ta For Now!*