Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story (except for
the ones that weren't in the series).
Well here is the long overdue part two to heart of the dragon. I'm sorry it took so long to come out but i've been really busy. Anyway, enjoy!
Part 2: The New Life It wasn't hard for Hitomi to get used to her life on Gaea. Everyday was the same routine, she'd wake up in Van's arms (Hitomi told Van she didn't want to make love until after they were married). They'd to everything together However, of all the things they did their favorite was the walk they took in the forest surrounding Fanelia. They'd stop at the burial ground where Escaflowne slept. The couple later dubbed it their mystic hideaway.
Hitomi had only one problem. Tomorrow she would be presented to the people of Fanelia. That's when Hitomi and Van's engagement would be made official and everyone would know. At this point only the six people in the mystic valley knew the truth. Soon Hitomi would be queen and help Van rule Fanelia.
That night Hitomi and Van went to bed as usual. He held her close as the light from the two moons filled the room.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Van asked.
"A little" Hitomi replied.
"Don't worry I'll be right there by your side. Allen, Millerna and everyone from Asturia are coming to see you and help celebrate. Besides it's smooth sailing after this." Van explained.
"I'm glad. Not just because you'll be right there with me tomorrow but for this. I'm glad that you and I are together forever." Hitomi commented.
Van smiled and held her closer sighing deeply. Hitomi laid her head on Van's chest. They lover's took one last look at the two moons before falling asleep.
**************************************************************************** ********************************
The day had finally come. The castle was full of bustle and life as everyone prepared for the celebration. Due to all of the preparations Hitomi and van had no time to be alone together. At one point Hitomi was able to sneak away to the study that her and Van shared. She wanted to check the silver box that her soon to be mother-in-law had given her. She opened it up to find a letter from her mother. Excitement filled her, this was the first letter she had recieved from her mother. As she read the letter her heart began to sink. She started to cry, stuffing the letter in her pocket she ran off looking for a place where she could be alone to think.
"Lord Van, do you know where Lady Hitomi is?" one of the servant's asked.
"Why?" Van replied.
"Well. It appears that she's gone. WE can't find her anywhere in the castle." the boy answered.
"Don't worry I know where she is i'll go get her. Just make sure everything is ready when we get back." Van instructed.
The servan tnodded, bowed and walked off. Van headed to the forst, but he went slower than usual. He knew something must be wrong with Hitomi and that she got out of the castle to think. So Van would give her the soletary time she needed.
"Why Mom? Why didn't you ever tell me? I've spent my whole life thinking that my parents always were and always would be in love. Now on the day i'm going to announce my engagement you send me this! I don't understand anything anymore. I feel so lost." Hitomi said to herself.
Van came up on the mystic hideaway. He spotted Hitomi holding a letter in her hand and crying. Thinking the worst van ran up to her.
"Hitomi, what's wrong?" Van asked.
"Nothing, why?" Hitomi answered.
"Your crying. Please tell me what's wrong." Van replied with concern.
Hitomi handed him the letter. She pointed to a specific spot and gestured for him to read.
"My dear Hitomi. There is something I must tell you about your father and I. We've decided to get a divorce. I know it will be hard for you to understand this but we've been unhappy for a long time. You just realize we'll both be better off if we seperate. By the way, congragulations on your engagement. Yukari says hello."Van read.
Hitomi just stared at the letter, crying. Why did this happen? Did this mean that her parents had been lying to her all this time? What if her marriage to Van ended that same way. Everyting Hitomi ever believed about love was centered around her parents. Now to realize their love had been gone for a while. The thought was to awful to think about.
Van could feel Hitomi's hurting. It was like his insides were all knotted up. He knew their was no word existed that would heal her pain but, maybe a gesture would ease it a little. He put his arm around her and just held her. Hitomi just rested her head on Van's shoulder.
"Hitomi are you going to be all right?" Van asked.
"Oh yea. I'm just peachy. I find out the day my engagement is going to be announced that the very thing I bsed love on is a lie. Why wouldn't I be upset?" Hitomi answered sarcastically.
"Hitomi"
"How do you expect me to be Van? My parents are getting a divorce. Do you realize that I always wanted to have a marriage just like theirs. Now, I feel my life is a lie. I don't want our marriage to end the same way." Hitomi explained.
"Hitomi look at me" Van demanded.
She turned her head so her eyes were meeting with Van's.
"I love you. I've loved you since the first time I saw you" Van declared.
"Please when you first saw me you thought I was a demon." Hitomi rebuffed.
"After that, when you started to cry" Van corrected.
"You mean right after I slapped you?" Hitomi asked.
"Yea. That slap opened my eyes and my heart." Van answered with a laugh.
Hitomi couldn't help it. She felat a smile grow on her face. She hugged Van and whispered a 'thank you' in his ear. He replied by hugging her tighter.
"Shall we go now princess?" Van asked.
"Yes" Hitomi answered.
*********************************************************
That afternoon the main square in the palace of Fanelia was packed. Everyone was filled with anticipation at what their king would be announcing today.
Van stepped out onto the balconey and saw Merle, Millerna, Dryden, Allen and the whole crew from the crusade right in front. Van smiled and waved to his friends. The trumpets sounded the royal fanfare and the square hushed to a dead scilence, waiting for their king to speak.
"People of Fanelia. I, your king have cause for great joy. I would like to annoince that I am engaged to be married." Van announced.
The entire square was filled with shock and surprise but Van saw the front row looked more happy than shocked. In fact Merle was the only one who seemed compleatly shocked and a tad jealous. Van smiled and shook his head as he addressed the people again.
"I would like to prest your future queen, Hitomi Kansaki." Van announced.
Van streched out his hand and it was soon joined by another. A radiant Hitomi stepped on to the balconey. She was drappend in a dress of lavender shera (Gaea's satin). As Hitomi steppen closer to the balconey ledge her grip on Van's hand grew tighter. Van saw that she was shaking a little so he gestured for her to look in the front row. Her smile grew wider as she waved to her friends.
"People of Fanelia. Welcome your Queen" Van declared.
The poeple all cheered and waved at their new ruler. She hugged Van and the pair walked off the balconey. Van could see relif wash over har face now that the worst was over.
"Was that so hard?" Van asked.
"Not really but i'm glad it's over" Hitomi answered.
Van smiled and gave Hitomi a well deserved kiss.
"Excuse me. Are we interupting something?" a voice asked.
They broke the kiss and looked toward the voice. They saw that it was Allen Schezar(sp?), Princess Millerna and Merle. Hitomi gasped happily and rean over to greet her old friends. Van followed and shook Allen's hand.
"Well nice to see you again Princess Hitomi." Allen greeted.
Hitomi shook Allen's hand, she still felt awkward around him. After all no more than two years a go it had been Allen who had proposed to her. Plus she didn't want Van getting jealous. Van came up from behind and put his arm around Hitomi.
"Are you all coming to the feast tonight/" Van asked.
"Of course. Uh, Van I need to talk to you about something in private." Allen remarked with a serious tone.
They exchanged looks. Ever since they fought in the zone of absolute fortune, Van and Allen had a deep understanding of eachother. Van nodded to Allen.
"Of course Allen. Let's go to the training room ant talk." Van suggested.
The two along with Dryden walked off to talk. Hitomi figured that they were probablly talk about the old days during the destiny wars. Although, seeing that Dryden was going as well they may be talking about trade or Fanelia and Asturia's military power.
"Why don't we have tea in the rose garden." Merle suggested.
*********************************************************
"So Hitomi. Have you and Van slept together yet?" Millerna asked.
"MILLERNA!" Hitomi yelled.
"Well have you?" Millerna persisted.
"Well we sleep together but not 'together' not until we're married." Hitomi explained.
"But you sleep in the same bed?" Merle asked.
"Well yes, of course we do. We love eachother and we want to share our lives together." Hitomi answered.
Merle looked jealously at Hitomi. Why not her? Why would Van pick a forigner over someone he'd known all his life?
"Well I must say your being very mature about this Hitomi. But do you ever feel disatisfied?" Millerna joked.
Hitomi blushed a little, but the three of them laughed anyway.
*********************************************************
Van looked out the window and saw Hitomi laughing with Merle and Millerna. He took a deep breath and turned back to Allen.
"Van I've been hearing rumors for a few weeks now. They say that Zaibach is coming back." Allen explained.
"Allen how is that possible? We wiped out Zaibach and Folken killed Dornkirk." Van asked.
"Zaibach was not completely wiped out. Besides the small group of followers have Midera." Dryden answered.
"Who's Midera?" Van asked.
"She's a young girl Hitomi's age with amazing psychic powers. However she is only part of the reason we needed to talk to you. The other reason is Hitomi." Allen answered.
"What does Hitomi have to do with this?" Van replied.
"It wasn't keep a secret from Zaibach that Hitomi was from the mystic moon or that she had strong powers. They blame her for the fall of their empire. So, they want to..."Allen trailed off.
"Midera wants to take Htiomi so she can experiment on her and try and assimilate Hitomi's powers. Once she does that she'll kill Hitomi." Dryden explained.
Van looked at the pair in shock. Why now? He finally had Hitomi back and everything was on track. Now this happens. He looked out the window at Hitomi, she looked so happy.
Why must she always be put through this?
"Dryden. Could you go get Hitomi and bring her here?" Van asked.
Dryden nodded and left. Van looked to the portrait he'd had done of Balgus.
What should I do Balgus?
"Allen, I need your help. Could you and your men stay here in Fanelia? Will you and Gaddes protect her when i'm forced to attend to my duties?" Van asked
"Of course i'll protect her. We'll keep the crusade here in case we need to get Hitomi out in a hurry." Allen expalined.
Suddenly the door opened and Dryden and Hitomi walked in. Van hugged Hitomi and she could tell that their was a slight tremor in his body.
"Hitomi I need yopu to do something without asking why." Van explained.
"Okay" Hitomi replied.
"From now on your not to be alone. Allen, Gaddes or myslef will be with you at all times. Your not to go with anyone besides the three of us unless we tell you otherwise. Do you understand?" Van asked.
"Alright" Hitomi answered.
Van smiled and held her again. Hitomi wondered why Van didn't want her to be alone. She knew Van was keeping something from her but she also knew he must have a good reason for doing it.
*********************************************************
So for the rest of the day Hitomi was always with someone (except for obvious reasons). That night Van and Hitomi were getting ready for the feast that was being held to celebrate their engagement. Hitomi had been putting the finishing touches on her hair when she blurted out.
"Van why can't I be left alone?"Hitomi asked.
"Well because your going to be the Queen of Fanelia." Van answered.
"Oh I see now." Hitomi replied.
"Hitomi I want you to have this. My father gave it to my mother after they announced their engagement." Van explained.
He took out a wooden box, inside was a ring with a heart cut stone. The stone was indentical to the stone in her pendant. Unbeknownst to the couple after Van put the ring on Hitomi's left hand the ring had a momentary glow.
Well there it is. I hope you like it. I'll hopefully get part 3 up sooner than I did with part two. Don't forget to review.
Well here is the long overdue part two to heart of the dragon. I'm sorry it took so long to come out but i've been really busy. Anyway, enjoy!
Part 2: The New Life It wasn't hard for Hitomi to get used to her life on Gaea. Everyday was the same routine, she'd wake up in Van's arms (Hitomi told Van she didn't want to make love until after they were married). They'd to everything together However, of all the things they did their favorite was the walk they took in the forest surrounding Fanelia. They'd stop at the burial ground where Escaflowne slept. The couple later dubbed it their mystic hideaway.
Hitomi had only one problem. Tomorrow she would be presented to the people of Fanelia. That's when Hitomi and Van's engagement would be made official and everyone would know. At this point only the six people in the mystic valley knew the truth. Soon Hitomi would be queen and help Van rule Fanelia.
That night Hitomi and Van went to bed as usual. He held her close as the light from the two moons filled the room.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Van asked.
"A little" Hitomi replied.
"Don't worry I'll be right there by your side. Allen, Millerna and everyone from Asturia are coming to see you and help celebrate. Besides it's smooth sailing after this." Van explained.
"I'm glad. Not just because you'll be right there with me tomorrow but for this. I'm glad that you and I are together forever." Hitomi commented.
Van smiled and held her closer sighing deeply. Hitomi laid her head on Van's chest. They lover's took one last look at the two moons before falling asleep.
**************************************************************************** ********************************
The day had finally come. The castle was full of bustle and life as everyone prepared for the celebration. Due to all of the preparations Hitomi and van had no time to be alone together. At one point Hitomi was able to sneak away to the study that her and Van shared. She wanted to check the silver box that her soon to be mother-in-law had given her. She opened it up to find a letter from her mother. Excitement filled her, this was the first letter she had recieved from her mother. As she read the letter her heart began to sink. She started to cry, stuffing the letter in her pocket she ran off looking for a place where she could be alone to think.
"Lord Van, do you know where Lady Hitomi is?" one of the servant's asked.
"Why?" Van replied.
"Well. It appears that she's gone. WE can't find her anywhere in the castle." the boy answered.
"Don't worry I know where she is i'll go get her. Just make sure everything is ready when we get back." Van instructed.
The servan tnodded, bowed and walked off. Van headed to the forst, but he went slower than usual. He knew something must be wrong with Hitomi and that she got out of the castle to think. So Van would give her the soletary time she needed.
"Why Mom? Why didn't you ever tell me? I've spent my whole life thinking that my parents always were and always would be in love. Now on the day i'm going to announce my engagement you send me this! I don't understand anything anymore. I feel so lost." Hitomi said to herself.
Van came up on the mystic hideaway. He spotted Hitomi holding a letter in her hand and crying. Thinking the worst van ran up to her.
"Hitomi, what's wrong?" Van asked.
"Nothing, why?" Hitomi answered.
"Your crying. Please tell me what's wrong." Van replied with concern.
Hitomi handed him the letter. She pointed to a specific spot and gestured for him to read.
"My dear Hitomi. There is something I must tell you about your father and I. We've decided to get a divorce. I know it will be hard for you to understand this but we've been unhappy for a long time. You just realize we'll both be better off if we seperate. By the way, congragulations on your engagement. Yukari says hello."Van read.
Hitomi just stared at the letter, crying. Why did this happen? Did this mean that her parents had been lying to her all this time? What if her marriage to Van ended that same way. Everyting Hitomi ever believed about love was centered around her parents. Now to realize their love had been gone for a while. The thought was to awful to think about.
Van could feel Hitomi's hurting. It was like his insides were all knotted up. He knew their was no word existed that would heal her pain but, maybe a gesture would ease it a little. He put his arm around her and just held her. Hitomi just rested her head on Van's shoulder.
"Hitomi are you going to be all right?" Van asked.
"Oh yea. I'm just peachy. I find out the day my engagement is going to be announced that the very thing I bsed love on is a lie. Why wouldn't I be upset?" Hitomi answered sarcastically.
"Hitomi"
"How do you expect me to be Van? My parents are getting a divorce. Do you realize that I always wanted to have a marriage just like theirs. Now, I feel my life is a lie. I don't want our marriage to end the same way." Hitomi explained.
"Hitomi look at me" Van demanded.
She turned her head so her eyes were meeting with Van's.
"I love you. I've loved you since the first time I saw you" Van declared.
"Please when you first saw me you thought I was a demon." Hitomi rebuffed.
"After that, when you started to cry" Van corrected.
"You mean right after I slapped you?" Hitomi asked.
"Yea. That slap opened my eyes and my heart." Van answered with a laugh.
Hitomi couldn't help it. She felat a smile grow on her face. She hugged Van and whispered a 'thank you' in his ear. He replied by hugging her tighter.
"Shall we go now princess?" Van asked.
"Yes" Hitomi answered.
*********************************************************
That afternoon the main square in the palace of Fanelia was packed. Everyone was filled with anticipation at what their king would be announcing today.
Van stepped out onto the balconey and saw Merle, Millerna, Dryden, Allen and the whole crew from the crusade right in front. Van smiled and waved to his friends. The trumpets sounded the royal fanfare and the square hushed to a dead scilence, waiting for their king to speak.
"People of Fanelia. I, your king have cause for great joy. I would like to annoince that I am engaged to be married." Van announced.
The entire square was filled with shock and surprise but Van saw the front row looked more happy than shocked. In fact Merle was the only one who seemed compleatly shocked and a tad jealous. Van smiled and shook his head as he addressed the people again.
"I would like to prest your future queen, Hitomi Kansaki." Van announced.
Van streched out his hand and it was soon joined by another. A radiant Hitomi stepped on to the balconey. She was drappend in a dress of lavender shera (Gaea's satin). As Hitomi steppen closer to the balconey ledge her grip on Van's hand grew tighter. Van saw that she was shaking a little so he gestured for her to look in the front row. Her smile grew wider as she waved to her friends.
"People of Fanelia. Welcome your Queen" Van declared.
The poeple all cheered and waved at their new ruler. She hugged Van and the pair walked off the balconey. Van could see relif wash over har face now that the worst was over.
"Was that so hard?" Van asked.
"Not really but i'm glad it's over" Hitomi answered.
Van smiled and gave Hitomi a well deserved kiss.
"Excuse me. Are we interupting something?" a voice asked.
They broke the kiss and looked toward the voice. They saw that it was Allen Schezar(sp?), Princess Millerna and Merle. Hitomi gasped happily and rean over to greet her old friends. Van followed and shook Allen's hand.
"Well nice to see you again Princess Hitomi." Allen greeted.
Hitomi shook Allen's hand, she still felt awkward around him. After all no more than two years a go it had been Allen who had proposed to her. Plus she didn't want Van getting jealous. Van came up from behind and put his arm around Hitomi.
"Are you all coming to the feast tonight/" Van asked.
"Of course. Uh, Van I need to talk to you about something in private." Allen remarked with a serious tone.
They exchanged looks. Ever since they fought in the zone of absolute fortune, Van and Allen had a deep understanding of eachother. Van nodded to Allen.
"Of course Allen. Let's go to the training room ant talk." Van suggested.
The two along with Dryden walked off to talk. Hitomi figured that they were probablly talk about the old days during the destiny wars. Although, seeing that Dryden was going as well they may be talking about trade or Fanelia and Asturia's military power.
"Why don't we have tea in the rose garden." Merle suggested.
*********************************************************
"So Hitomi. Have you and Van slept together yet?" Millerna asked.
"MILLERNA!" Hitomi yelled.
"Well have you?" Millerna persisted.
"Well we sleep together but not 'together' not until we're married." Hitomi explained.
"But you sleep in the same bed?" Merle asked.
"Well yes, of course we do. We love eachother and we want to share our lives together." Hitomi answered.
Merle looked jealously at Hitomi. Why not her? Why would Van pick a forigner over someone he'd known all his life?
"Well I must say your being very mature about this Hitomi. But do you ever feel disatisfied?" Millerna joked.
Hitomi blushed a little, but the three of them laughed anyway.
*********************************************************
Van looked out the window and saw Hitomi laughing with Merle and Millerna. He took a deep breath and turned back to Allen.
"Van I've been hearing rumors for a few weeks now. They say that Zaibach is coming back." Allen explained.
"Allen how is that possible? We wiped out Zaibach and Folken killed Dornkirk." Van asked.
"Zaibach was not completely wiped out. Besides the small group of followers have Midera." Dryden answered.
"Who's Midera?" Van asked.
"She's a young girl Hitomi's age with amazing psychic powers. However she is only part of the reason we needed to talk to you. The other reason is Hitomi." Allen answered.
"What does Hitomi have to do with this?" Van replied.
"It wasn't keep a secret from Zaibach that Hitomi was from the mystic moon or that she had strong powers. They blame her for the fall of their empire. So, they want to..."Allen trailed off.
"Midera wants to take Htiomi so she can experiment on her and try and assimilate Hitomi's powers. Once she does that she'll kill Hitomi." Dryden explained.
Van looked at the pair in shock. Why now? He finally had Hitomi back and everything was on track. Now this happens. He looked out the window at Hitomi, she looked so happy.
Why must she always be put through this?
"Dryden. Could you go get Hitomi and bring her here?" Van asked.
Dryden nodded and left. Van looked to the portrait he'd had done of Balgus.
What should I do Balgus?
"Allen, I need your help. Could you and your men stay here in Fanelia? Will you and Gaddes protect her when i'm forced to attend to my duties?" Van asked
"Of course i'll protect her. We'll keep the crusade here in case we need to get Hitomi out in a hurry." Allen expalined.
Suddenly the door opened and Dryden and Hitomi walked in. Van hugged Hitomi and she could tell that their was a slight tremor in his body.
"Hitomi I need yopu to do something without asking why." Van explained.
"Okay" Hitomi replied.
"From now on your not to be alone. Allen, Gaddes or myslef will be with you at all times. Your not to go with anyone besides the three of us unless we tell you otherwise. Do you understand?" Van asked.
"Alright" Hitomi answered.
Van smiled and held her again. Hitomi wondered why Van didn't want her to be alone. She knew Van was keeping something from her but she also knew he must have a good reason for doing it.
*********************************************************
So for the rest of the day Hitomi was always with someone (except for obvious reasons). That night Van and Hitomi were getting ready for the feast that was being held to celebrate their engagement. Hitomi had been putting the finishing touches on her hair when she blurted out.
"Van why can't I be left alone?"Hitomi asked.
"Well because your going to be the Queen of Fanelia." Van answered.
"Oh I see now." Hitomi replied.
"Hitomi I want you to have this. My father gave it to my mother after they announced their engagement." Van explained.
He took out a wooden box, inside was a ring with a heart cut stone. The stone was indentical to the stone in her pendant. Unbeknownst to the couple after Van put the ring on Hitomi's left hand the ring had a momentary glow.
Well there it is. I hope you like it. I'll hopefully get part 3 up sooner than I did with part two. Don't forget to review.