No. Escaflowne not mine. Allen Schezar not mine.
But, Lady Gabriella and other Asturian guards are mine.

~*~*~*~
~*~ Allen Schezar ~*~

Fort Castelo was a dream within a nightmare.
We were situated weeks away from the capitol, messages taking at least a fortnight to be sent and replied to. The previous rotation left the place in filthy shambles, more than wounding our Asturian pride. The living quarters were a mess, the timber-walls were falling to pieces, the gates vulnerable to enemy attack…
I had my work cut out for me…
Fortunately, the Mystic Moon watched over our Fates… The forest surrounding us ensured ample forage for our troop of near 120 men. The waterfall behind the fort served as our never-failing water supply, as well as a secret shelter to be used during emergencies. And finally, close to half my men were no other than my old crew from my early scouting trips, later officially dubbed 'The Crusade'…

~*~*~*~

I sat atop my guymelef, Scheherazade, sipping at my evening glass. The silent whistle of wings told me I would be alone no longer. Without turning around, I stretched out my arm as I lowered my chalice onto Scheherazade's broad shoulder with the other. A small weight settled itself on my white-sleeved forearm.

"How was your trip, Natal…?" I asked as I stroked my pet's proud chest, eliciting a contented purr from the back of her throat. I chuckled as I moved her onto my lap, freeing my hands to retrieve the neatly folded note bound to her foot.

::Insufferable RAT:: I laughed lightly, leaning my back against my guymelef's massive head, ::Must you write me so seldom, or can't you find enough ink in that d*mnable wasteland you now call home?!:: I shifted, ::I am well, save the healers saying I am slowing blinding. As for your brothers – Joseph should be tied down with news of a son, Jean-Luc needs to be gutted most painfully since his promotion to Captaincy, and Boris writes to say he misses you…:: I gasped softly at the ghost of a teardrop marring the perfection of the parchment, outlined slightly by the moonlight crowning my head. ::Take care of yourself. Lady Gabriella::

I folded the letter carefully and stared up at the Mystic Moon. Smiling sadly, I whispered to the wind, "Miss you too, Lady Gabriella…"

~*~*~*~

We exchanged letters often enough, telling each other the developments around us. Despite the distance separating me from Pallas, I knew everything from the name of the new kitchen maid to Princess Millerna's most recent argument over her choice of study[1]. In fact, news concerning the capitol sometimes arrived weeks before the swiftest messengers through my Natal and Lady Gabriella's Yuna, so strong was their mother-and-daughter bond…
As strong as the bond that bound Lady Gabriella and I, as mother-and-son…

~*~*~*~

"Brother Allen…" a hushed voice greeted as I stared into the glassy teal-irises of my eldest brother, Joseph. "How is she…?" I murmured, eyes drawn to the unmoving figure partially hidden by the bed-curtains.

He turned to the bed as well, but instead of leading me to it, he took my arm and ushered me to the window.

"What happened…?"

"Assassination attempt on Princess Millerna. Princess Eries received a blow to the head, but Lady Gabriella took the knife to the heart…"

My gloved hands clawed at the stone sill, "How long was this…?"

"Three moons ago," came the quiet reply, followed by a change of tone, "Which makes me wonder – how *did* you receive word so soon, brother Allen…?"

I held out a blood-splattered note to him, answering briskly, "Yuna."

He nodded in comprehension. Our younger brother pulled slightly at our curtain, "She's awake…"

We rushed to our elder's bedside, kneeling, sitting and standing by her side. She coughed weakly, "The princesses…?"

"They are safe, Lady Gabriella…" Joseph informed, smiling as he took her hand. Jean-Luc nodded from behind the taller boy, "I've posted guards both inside and outside their chambers until further notice…"

"Good…" she smiled feebly as she nodded, "How long…?"

"You've been asleep for more than 2 moons, Lady Gabriella…"

She shifted slightly and grimaced. We called her name in alarm. She frowned at the number of voices, I think. Focusing dim eyes, sweeping from one direction, she acknowledged, "Joseph… Jean-Luc…" turning to my side, her eyes widened slightly, "Allen…?!"

I kissed her hand formally, "I am present, Lady Gabriella…"

She waved distractedly to the other two, "Leave us…" My brothers turned to me, pleading me with their eyes to take care of her. I nodded. They left…

"How…?"

I chuckled softly, "Yuna is very persuasive…"

A faint smile was painted on her too-pale lips, "Of course… I trained her…"

The laugh died on my lips. "Lady Gabriella…"

"I am dying… am I not…?" it was not a question, though it was worded as one. She closed her eyes in resignation, her tone following the same fashion, "My will is already written…"

I shook my head, "Lady Gabriella, please… you should not speak like this…" A baleful though exhausted glare was returned, but I pressed on, "I-I… don't want you to… d-die… Lady Gabriella…"

She snorted, then hissed with discomfort. "What power do you have, Schezar… to prevent my death…?"

I did not know how to answer her, so I answered truthfully, "None…" Biting my trembling lip, I repeated, my voice softer, almost choked, "N-none…" Tears leaked from my eyes, "N-none… N-nothing… I have n-nothing…"

She turned to me sharply, despite the agony in her chest. "Come here…" she bade. I obeyed, my crown resting her chest, sobbing uncontrollably, begging her almost selfishly not to abandon her Kingdom, not to forsake her family, not to leave… me…

Patting my head as if comforting a child past the depths of his nightmares, I heard her mumble,

"Hopeless… intolerable… spawn…"

~*~*~*~

The healers leapt for the rafters when Lady Gabriella emerged from her room 4 moons later, completely unaided, and asked them 'politely' to stop whispering conspiracies behind her back as if she were already dead.

Later, Joseph wrote that within a color, she had recovered fully from her grievous injuries.
'Whatever you said to her, brother Allen, we thank you for returning her life. Lady Gabriella would have willingly given it up otherwise…'
And I was glad…

If only Life was always so easy…

~*~*~*~

"Captain…!!" my loyal second-in-command hollered from under my window, "Ma's here…"

I did not have to see it to know Gaddes suffered a near fractured skull for his incorrigible statement. Snickering, I descended the stairs that led away from my office. "Lady Gabri—" the words died on my tongue at her serious eyes, stalking past the men and dragging me back upstairs once more.

"What is it…?" I pressed, realizing the gravity of the situation if Lady Gabriella herself came to personally impart this message.

She pushed me into a chair, "I think you should sit down…"

I reluctantly sank into a seat, my gaze still pinned on her. I raised an eyebrow. She dove straight to the point, "Princess Marlene passed away during yesterday's eve."

I choked, my white hands digging into the wood of my table.

"I am sorry, Allen…"

I found breathing difficult, my lungs suddenly constricting. Cold sweat beaded from my forehead, past my impossibly wide eyes. Dimly, I felt the corner of my table crack under pressure, splintering my hand.

"*ALLEN*!!" her voice sounded faraway, but the tight slap delivered to my jaw was anything but. My hand suddenly lost its strength, the pieces of wood clattering in shards on the similarly wooden floor. Drip, drop. My blood stained the boards where the jagged edges had punctured my skin.

"No…" I moaned, my mind winding down from the sudden shock, my body drained.

"She left a son…" she tried talking to me, encouraging me to stay conscious as she dressed my bloodied hand, "His name is Chid…" I nodded absently, but did not listen. All I could think of was Marlene – her smile, her laugh, her pretty face… The way she called my name, the smell of her sunshine hair, the warmth of her tender kiss…

"D*mmit – *ALLEN*!!" she shrieked, but it was too late. I fell away from reality, my vision clouding over, welcoming the black of oblivion…

~*~*~*~

I hid myself in my chambers, wanting nothing more but my privacy. The news struck hard, a jolt to my mind and my heart. My beautiful, beautiful Marlene…
Lady Gabriella cradled me to sleep during the nights. I felt safe in her arms. There I was, a man of twenty, clinging on to my mentor, the anchor of my sanity…
Unknown to me, during the day, whilst I sat torturing myself over the loss of my love, Gaddes and Lady Gabriella were barking orders downstairs, managing the fort in my absence. The men knew nothing of my relationship with Marlene, and Lady Gabriella steered them clear of any uncomely ideas. My mentor told them the truth, just not enough for them to know. In the end, they decided not to pry – they would respect my need to heal from some emotional blow, regardless…
Six moons later, Lady Gabriella left Fort Castelo. And I emerged from my rooms, a stronger man…

~*~*~*~

I had not seen my counselor in over 2 years. What with the whirlwind of events right now, I doubt she'd be happy to see me though…

Less than a week ago, a pillar of light landed near Fort Castelo, and with it, it brought a girl from the Mystic Moon – Kanzaki Hitomi.

Ah, and also Van Slanzar de Fanel, boy-King of Fanelia…

But that was almost a week ago. Since, much has happened. Our Zaibach ally had burnt Fanelia and Fort Castelo to the ground, I had made use of the emergency port for the first time since the fort's establishment, and I had flown to rescue the Fanelian *brat*[2] from the clutches of Death…

All for the sake of the fabled Dragon Guymelef belonging to, *ahem*, aforementioned *brat*

As a knight, I rushed to Pallas to relay the news. Unfortunately, Zaibach had foreseen my plans, and beat me to them by a mere half-moon.

If King Aston would not listen, then I had to find someone who would – Lady Gabriella, vice-chairperson of the Council.

Against the impossible tide of foreboding, I found myself knocking on the oaken portal that led to her private study.

"Enter at your own risk, child…"

One could not have known the relief that flooded me at the sound of *that* accursed sentence…

"Lady Gabriella—"

I was slapped firmly as soon as I passed through the door, the feel of her hard hand against my cheek. I bit my lip, and raised my head solemnly, intending to ignore the stinging sensation it left.

"The ashes of Fort Castelo cry out to me, Schezar," she spat, crossing her arms under her breastplate adorned by a flaming Firebird. I bowed my head, "I apologize, Lady Gabriella. I did not know its value to you…"

We stared tersely at each other, the daggers from her pools of liquid gold boring holes into my skull.

"You stupid, *stupid* THING!!" she cried, breaking our glaring contest and pulled my taller frame against her, "Gods, *ALLEN* – do you REALIZE how *WORRIED* I have been for YOU?!?!"

I let out the breath I did not know I was holding, smiling gently as I stroked a lock of her distinctive hair, "I am present, Lady Gabriella…"

"Where have you *BEEN*, boy…?!" she shrilled as she locked the heavy doors behind her, "The Council wants your *HEAD* because of what one Folken Strategos—"

"*Folken*?!" I growled, cursing ungracefully, "D*mn…!! So the Council will not aid us in this…?!"

"Aid you…?!" she repeated, ushering us into an inner sanctum, "You'd sooner lick their boots in thanks if they agree to *SEE* you, ALLEN…!!" Reaching into her cabinets, she brought out two goblets of her strongest vino. "Care to ENLIGHTEN me, apprentice mine…?" she suggested, glaring across the table to me.

I groaned and massaged my temples as she mirrored my actions, massaging the bridge of her nose.

Slowly, I recounted the turmoil surrounding the tragic happenings thus far, from the night I found Hitomi, to this morning, when I finally docked the Crusade in Pallas. Unsure of her reaction, I left out the name of the clandestine weapon belonging to Van, instead referring to it only as a 'secret arm' from Fanelia…

I should know I fail at lying to my elder…

"You are hiding something from me, boy…" she leered, a hand on her hip, leaning over me still seated in my chair. I took in a deep breath, and locked my blue-eyed gaze with her twin orbs of darkening gold, "Yes… I am…

"Lady Gabriella… We have brought a dangerous secret to Pallas…"

She raised an elegant eyebrow.

"We hold the Guymelef of Myth – Escaflowne…"

~*~*~*~

Never before has my mentor been struck speechless, uncertain of what next step we should undertake. Faced with this alien circumstance, she confessed she was at a loss, unable to offer comfort or advice…
I assumed I would be alone in this quest…
Fate reminded me that I was never alone…

~*~*~*~

"Hold STILL, *SCHEZAR*…!!" she admonished, pulling harder on the bandages secured around my torso, "It's hard enough I have to do this with *ONE* arm – I don't need you FIDGETING on top of that as well…!!"

I winced, "Then why couldn't you bring Princess Millerna here to finish the job…?!"

Her uninjured arm whapped the back of my head, "*BECAUSE*, SCHEZAR – she's been UP tending to *YOU* all night long…!! If she doesn't SLEEP, I fear our dear Princess would COLLAPSE, *DEAD* on her FEET…!!"

I grumbled at her rough handling, but was glad for the constriction the bandages provided. Without them, my insides seemed to jar with every little movement… The rustling of a knot being tied told me my elder was done, and I gingerly shouldered the turquoise robe I had been provided with before returning my back to the pallet.

I turned to the side, watching Lady Gabriella dress her own wound on her left arm, tightening the bindings using her teeth and her remaining upper limb. My eyes settled on the blood-stained strips beside my bed. "What did you do to acquire such deep cuts on only one arm, Lady Gabriella…?"

She glared balefully at me, but somehow, its effects did not pass the threshold of threat considering she had a ribbon of gauze curling from her lips. She returned to her chore before spitting the mouthful of cloth and hissing, "I was saving your life, *brat*…!!"

I frowned, "Saving my—wha…?"

"Because of *this*…" she prodded me just a hair's breadth from my broken flesh. I hissed. She stretched, massaging her sore arm just below the elbow, explaining, "You were losing too much blood. Princess Millerna needed a Donor, immediately. Since we share a blood bond, I ripped an *arm* to save your broken *BODY* flooding the beds…"

I blinked in confusion, "Since when did we have a… *blood*-bond…?"

"Since 7 years ago… when you fed me your wrist," she whispered, hanging her head as her fingers stroked a fading white line marring my flawless forearm. I nodded weakly, "Oh… *that*…"

"Hn. So. Now we're even…" she muttered darkly as she turned away from me, "You saved my life, and I saved yours…"

"Lady Gabriella…" I called, reaching out for her.

"If Jean-Luc was my *migraine*-on-legs, then you would be my walking *CURSE*, Schezar…" she taunted as she smirked at me, "I swear, you have brought me NOTHING but *TROUBLE* since the day Sir Jacquis pushed you to me…" Then she softened her features and kissed me above my brow, "But you're worth it… Allen…"

~*~*~*~

We had entered Freid with Zaibach hot on our heels, and regretfully, we left Freid in a similar fashion, a city burning in our wake… In between, so many people hindered us – Miguel… Plaktu… Dilandau…

Prince Chid…

~*~*~*~

"He is mine, is he not…?" I whispered as I leaned against her back, eyes cast on the small shadow at the end of the hall. She sipped at her chalice, later passing it to me. I finished the glass we shared.

"I told you, Schezar…" she mumbled, shifting slightly so that our shoulder blades did not cut into each other's back, "Princess Marlene left the Duke a son…"

"That does not answer my question, Lady Gabriella…" I groaned, reaching out for a bottle to refill our goblet.

"Hn. Think what you will…"

"Lady Gabriella…" I whined quietly.

"Hn. Incorrigible *thing*… First you look like a woman, now you *ACT* like one…" she elbowed my spine to make me pass the wine. Drowning it, she was quiet for a while, then spoke, "Yes… Chid is your son…"

My hand tightened into a fist, "Does he know…?"

"Who? The Duke, or Chid…?"

"Either. Both…"

"The Duke does. Which was probably why he was so harsh on you…" she tapped the metallic base against my shoulder, "But I doubt Chid knows… And it is probably better this way…"

I sighed, nodding despondently in agreement. "Aa… It's better this way…"

~*~*~*~

Princess Millerna was most adamant about being returned to Pallas, so we did not force her. As her Personal Bodyguard, Lady Gabriella had no choice but to stay by her side. Their presence was most welcome within our band, Asturia's 'rebels with a cause'…
The war situation seemed to take a plunge into the abyss since we left Pallas, Zaibach closing in on us many times. Duke Mahad's demise… Van's brush with death… Atlantis…
Yet, amidst the chaos she stood, staying strong for us. The invisible lifeline cast like golden threads in the darkness… Merle would never have believed in the miracle of Van's recovery while he screamed in agony… Hitomi would never have found Van and I swirling in the darkness of our minds…
Dryden would have been dead at my feet[3]… (Curse the arrogant bastard to the seven h*lls…)
Hidden in background, but always there…

I wondered – how frayed was her own sanity…?

~*~*~*~

"You're a d*mnable *TWIT*, Alexander… Leaving me to suffer on this plane…" Crash. "If it weren't for that *STUPID* promise I made to you, I would've gladly taken my own *LIFE* YEARS ago…!!" Bang. "D*mmit…!! *WHY* did I let you talk me into surviving, Alexander…?!" Snap. Snap. Snap. "D*mn. D*mn. D*MN. That's going to *HURT* in the morning…!!"

Wham. Swirl, swirl, swirl…

Crack. "As long as I have something to live for, you said, some*ONE* to live for – you d*mned me to live…!!" Snap-snap. "Are you happy now, Alexander…?! I have a total of 54 sons and 16 daughters, of which at least 9 of them mean *something* to me… If I keep this up, I'll never die—" Snort, "—Ha! Never die… I'll bet that's what you wanted, you selfish *IDIOT*…!! You wanted to watch me *SUFFER* so that you could prance around in Heaven…"

*Schlak*

"You made me into a Phoenix, surviving the Fires of Life, coming out stronger…"

*Sching*~~~

"You gave me this sword … You told me to defend those I love with it, because it was forged from our love…"

Clatter, "But its getting harder, beloved, the burden is getting so heavy…"

Sob. "My children need me, but I am falling… I am not strong enough to do this alone…"

Creak…

"Lady Gabriella…?"

"G-gaddes…?"

Click. Click. Click. Rustle. "You are not alone, Lady Gabriella…"

Tap-tap-tap. "Reeding, Kio, Tomas… Pyle, Kip, Theo…"

"You were never alone, Lady Gabriella…"

"Allen…"

"Let it out, Lady Gabriella…" Stroke, "Let it all out…"

And she did…

~*~*~*~

Aoi Akiko rambles:
I have been led to believe that in Escaflowne, a moon = a day, and a color = a month. If I am wrong, then whack me over the head. If not, then... try not to get confused as you read the ficlet...

[1] '... Princess Millerna's most recent argument over her choice of study...'
If I recall correctly, Princess Millerna's family (especially Princess Eries, I think) did not approve of her choice to study medicine. I applaud her for her efforts to continue... but that's all I applaud her for - I see Princess Millerna much of a spoilt girl vying for attention...
*sigh* Nothing else to comment, though... All in all, she *is* quite a enigmatic character...

[2] Calling Van the 'Fanelian *brat*'
When Van came to Fort Castelo, Allen wasn't quite as friendly to him as he was to Hitomi... Then again, who can blame him. Ooh, I can just imagine what Allen's thinking, "I *told* him not to draw his sword, but *noo*, he *HAD* to take it out...! And then he blames *ME* for knocking him unconscious...!!"
Um...
Anyhow, the *brat* probably came from spending too much time with Lady Gabriella...

[3] '... Dryden would have been dead at my feet...'
I do think Allen does not think much of one Dryden Fassa... When they were together, one can almost imagine the storm cloud whizzing between them...
Ah well, they came together as friends in the end... You'd realize it when you see Allen leaving Princess Millerna the last time that his view on Dryden has changed dramatically...