Well here it is sniff, the final chapter of 'The heart of a Dragon'. I don't want to get sentimental on your guys, but I've had a blast writing this story. It's taken a while to get it out, and thank you so much for being patient with me. Your support has been invaluable to me through this process.
To everyone that reviewed this story, especially those who responded to this story often, I thank you. The greatest gift a writer can receive is the praise of their peers. I'd love to list all of you but I'm sure you all want me to shut up and read the story. However, this story wouldn't be here without your constant support.
I only ask one more thing before I get to the final chapter. I would love to do a dialogue with the characters of "The Vision of Escaflowne", even Mediera. However, it would be a Q&A dialogue. So if you could include in your review one (or more) question(s) you'd love to ask the cast of this fabulous anime.
Once again, thank you. Now on with the final chapter.
Disclaimer: If you really want to see it go back to chapter one
Chapter 9: Changes
Ever since the final confrontation with Mediera things were pretty peaceful on Gaea. Without their leader the Zaibach rebels disbanded to make their own destinies the old fashioned way. Millerna and Dryden returned to Fanelia so Dryden could finalize his plans on the new trade route he wanted to 'span all of Gaea'. This route would also help align Gaea together.
While Van and Dryden talked business, Millerna and Hitomi sat on the terrace enjoying the last days of summer. The two monarchs discussed everything from Hitomi's plans to redecorate the castle, to Millerna's plans to start a family soon. The servants brought out the women's tea, and the moment the aroma hit Hitomi, she ran into the forest to vomit. Millerna obviously worried for her friend rushed to her side.
(A/N: I think you all know what's coming)
"Hitomi, have you been feeling like this for a while."
"No, in fact this is the first that this has happened in a month."
"Have you been tired a lot?"
"Yes, but isn't that natural for a new Queen?"
"Sometimes. What about your appetitive? Has it changed at all?"
"Well, I haven't been very hungry lately, which could explain why I'm so exhausted."
"Why don't I examine you? I might be able to give you something so you'll feel better."
"If you think it's necessary."
"I do."
The women went to Millerna's room where she did a very thorough examination. She listened to Hitomi's strong heartbeat, and then she heard something in the background. Moving the stethoscope down a bit she heard the swishing of a second heartbeat.
"Hitomi, are you regular?"
Hitomi thought for a moment. Then she remembered that she was indeed late. Her new duties had kept her so busy she'd failed to notice. Still, sometimes she was late when she was really stressed out. It wasn't possible that she could be pregnant so soon.
"Millerna, do you think I could be…"
"Pregnant? Yes Hitomi, you are."
Millerna felt Hitomi's abdomen and felt a slight pooch forming. She was easily near the end of her first cycle. She laughed to herself when she thought about how quickly this had happened. Granted Millerna knew this was inevitable for the couple, but so soon. Millerna wouldn't be a bit surprised if Van and Hitomi had a large family.
"Gods, pregnant. I can't believe it. How far along am I?"
"I can't be 100% positive but, I'm pretty sure you're nearing the end of your second cycle. The baby will probably between Marzta (A/N: March) and Abilo (A/N: April). When will you tell Van?"
"I'm meeting him for lunch. I'll tell him then"
The young couple regularly had their mid-day meal in a private rose garden that was planted by Van's mother. Hitomi knew it would be the perfect spot to tell Van the good news. As usual Hitomi was the first to arrive. Van was always a few minutes late, something always held him up. Hitomi smiled when Van came up and embraced her from behind planting a small kiss on Hitomi's neck.
"Sorry I'm late, if Millerna hadn't shown up Dryden would still be talking about the trade route."
"It's all right. Millerna and I got a little sidetracked as well. Did you accept Dryden's proposal?"
Van sat down next Hitomi and pinched the bridge of his nose. Hitomi knew he only did that when his duties were wearing him out. He'd obviously been doing that a lot in the past month.
"Yes. The route will go from Fanelia to Freid."
"That's only three countries. I thought Dryden wanted the route to connect all the Gaean countries."
"He did, but it would appear that Chid and I are the only monarchs in Gaea willing to take a chance. Still, the route does cover half of Gaea. Since Fanelia took half of Zaibach after the war. We're the third largest country in Gaea next to Fried and Asturia."
"I see. I just hope everything works out."
"Don't worry it will. So what had you so preoccupied you almost missed lunch?"
"Decorating actually. I'm going to start with that bedroom that adjoins with ours. I was thinking of going to the marketplace tomorrow, I'm going to need a lot of things. Do you want to come with me?"
"That would be nice. What we're you planning on getting?"
Hitomi thought for a moment. She would need lots of clothes and diapers. She cringed inwardly when she remembered that Gaea didn't have the luxury of disposable diapers. She would also need bedding and furniture.
"Let me see. A rocking chair, new armoire, definitely needs a cradle. Or maybe a basinet, which do you think would be better?"
Van just stared at his wife, with a puzzled expression. Basinet? Cradle? Why did Hitomi need baby furniture? (A/N: Van is a little slow on the uptake.)She couldn't be…there was no way she could be pregnant.
'You've been married almost two month's idiot. With what you two have been doing, it was only a matter of time.'
"Hitomi, are you pregnant?"
"It would appear so. Millerna told me a little while ago."
Van stood and held his wife, careful not to crush her. He was going to be a father and he wasn't even 20. Something like this should have terrified Van, but knowing Hitomi was with him made everything all right. They would do this together.
8 1/2 months later
"Van, why won't this kid just come out? I'm starting to think I may be like this forever."
Van held his wife wrapping his arms around her much extended stomach. He loved seeing Hitomi pregnant. It was exciting for Van to see the result of the love he and Hitomi had for each other.
"I know Hitomi, but remember what Millerna said. The baby needs extra time so that when it's born it will be healthy."
"Fine, but they'd better come soon. I miss seeing my feet."
Hitomi was almost a month late and having her hormones on overload was not helping the situation. The nursery had been decorated with a green forest theme, to represent Fanelia's landscape. The only thing missing was a baby. When Van had announced that in a few months time an heir would be born the people were ecstatic. Since the announcement they had been working on a surprise for their beloved monarchs.
Millerna had come to Fanelia two and a half months ago insisting on delivering the Fanelian heir. The longer it took the baby to enter the world the tenser and more anxious everyone else became, especially the young parents-to-be.
Two days later
Hitomi woke up from her afternoon nap when she felt a dampness form in her dress. She pulled back the covers and saw that the sheets were also wet. This brought Hitomi to one conclusion, her water finally broke. She would have acted more excited if a contraction hadn't ripped through her body.
"VAN!!!"
Moments later the bedroom door burst open revealing a startled and worried Van. He'd heard his wife's frantic cry and assumed that she was in labor. He saw Hitomi sitting on the bed in the middle of a water stain. Her eyes were clenched shut obviously from the pain. Van rushed to her side and took her time, rubbing firm circles on her back.
"Hitomi, is it time?"
"No Van, I'm just screaming and cringing for laughs, OF COURSE IT'S TIME!!"
Van cringed inwardly at the shear volume of Hitomi's screaming. Van didn't take it personally because he understood Hitomi was in a lot of pain. Van helped to prop Hitomi up with the pillows on their bed. Hitomi buried her head in Van's chest.
"Van, it hurts."
"I know Tomi, just hang on. I sent for Millerna, she'll be here in a second."
On cue Millerna ran into the room with three attendants and her blue medical bag. She quickly checked Hitomi and the baby's heartbeats. Both strong and healthy, hopefully this labor would end quickly.
"Van, you can wait outside with Dryden."
Hitomi's face paled when Millerna told Van to leave. Van also felt Hitomi's fear grow and figured his leaving wouldn't be the best idea.
"I'm going to stay with Hitomi"
Hitomi let out breathe she didn't know she'd been holding. She didn't want to do this alone and she also wanted Van to be with her when their child came into the world.
"If that's what you two want. Van, take Hitomi's hand and wipe her forehead with this cloth. Hitomi take slow deep breathes. In a sew minutes we're going to start pushing."
Hitomi concentrated on breathing while Van held her hand and wiped her forehead. He also whispered words of encouragement and love in her ear. Hitomi smiled through the pain when Van told her she was the strongest person he's ever met.
"All right Hitomi, time to start pushing. Van, help her sit up."
Van helped to prop Hitomi up more and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. Millerna took out the necessary instruments form her bag and set them on the nearby table. Putting on her gloves she kneeled in front of Hitomi.
"Okay Hitomi, push."
Hitomi summoned up all of her strength and pushed. The pain was excruciating, but if this is what it took to bring her child into the world then it was worth it. She pushed with all her might willing the child to come out.
'Come on sweetheart. Come say hello to everyone.'
Twenty minutes and lots of pushing later the wails of a small broke the tension in the room. Millerna quickly cut the umbilical cord and cleaned off the baby. Checking they baby's vitals she wrapped the newborn in a blanket.
"Congratulations Van and Hitomi, you have a son."
Millerna carefully placed the baby in Hitomi's arms after Van helped ease her back onto the pile of pillows. Millerna and the attendants left the room so the new family could have some time alone. The couple looked at their child and Hitomi gave a small laugh when she saw the black somewhat unruly hair their son had gained from his father.
"He has your nose Tomi."
"And he has your hair."
"What should we name him?"
"Mamarou Folken, after our brothers."
"I love it. We need to send word to Folken."
"That's quite all right Van."
Van and Hitomi turned to see Folken standing in the doorway. He approached his brother and sister-in-law a huge smile on his face.
"Madeline had a feeling the baby would be arriving soon. We got here as soon as we could."
Hitomi looked around Folken and saw he was alone.
"Where is she?"
"She's waiting outside, she said something about not wanting to impose on a family moment."
"Probably wanted to get away from you. Married for nine and a half months and already she's sick of you."
Folken laughed at his brother's joke. Then smiled inwardly when he remembered how long he and Madeline had been married. Soon after the last battle they had married. They'd almost lost each other a second time so they decided to wed. It had been a small private ceremony in the castle chapel with only Van and Hitomi bearing witness.
"I'm glad you're here brother."
"So am I, and thank you for giving him my name."
"It just seemed right to Hitomi. Next time we'll name the child after our mothers or fathers depending on the sex."
"Excuse me sire but we've just had a son. Could you wait a little before we have another one?"
"Of course milady. How long would you like to wait?"
"We'll we won't be able to try again for at least six weeks so my body can recover."
"Six weeks seems like a fair amount of time."
"I'm glad you approve."
The group laughed until a loud yawn was heard from Hitomi. Van insisted she get some rest. Hitomi agreed as long as Van did the same. So father, mother, and child slept soundly together looking forward to the future.
Two weeks later
The streets of Fanelia were bustling. Since the birth of young Mamarou the villagers had put a rush ion finishing their surprise. Today was the big unveiling. A massive crowd had assembled in the center square. Van and Hitomi were sitting in front of a large object covered with a tarp. Mamarou had been able to open his eyes yesterday revealing to his parents that he had inherited his mothers deep green eyes. Van and Hitomi agreed that their son was a merging of his parent's best features.
The crowd hushed as the town squire stepped forward in front of the 'surprise'. He bowed before Van and Hitomi and they bowed their heads gesturing for him to begin. He unrolled a roll of parchment and began to read.
"King Van and Queen Hitomi. To commemorate your Union and as a thank you for all you have done not only for Fanelia but Gaea. We wish to give you this enduring tribute that shall remain here in the center square. It shall serve as a constant reminder to all who pass, of Fanelia's greatest monarchs."
The squire nodded to the men holding a rope. They all pulled hard revealing a beautiful marble statue. It depicted Van and Hitomi as they were during the Great War; the only difference was they each had a pair of white wings. Van's was portrayed holding an energist in his right hand. Hitomi's was holding out her pendant in her left hand. They were hand in hand in front of the Escaflowne. Upon closer inspection Van and Hitomi found an inscription at the base of the statue.
'This statue is dedicated to King Van and Queen Hitomi. Saviors of Gaea, their love transcended through different worlds and delivered the Gaea from its darkest time'
The End
Well that's it. This chapter has been bittersweet for me; I hope you enjoyed it and the story. As far as a sequel is concerned, I'm not really sure. If you have thoughts on one by all means include them in your review.
Thank you for being a part of the journey.