Hey guys! Whew, it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry for the delay, but life has a way of interfering with a lot of things I want to do! This has some romance at the end, and Hitomi finally understands Van!! If you have any questions, be sure to email me or put them in the review and I'll try to answer them as best I can! Luv ya!
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Title: Blessed
Author: Tevrah
Email: kmw852yahoo.com
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Chapter Four
The rocking chair creaked soothingly as Hitomi rocked back and forth. Aidan was cuddled protectively to her chest sleeping peacefully. She hummed softly to herself as she watched her innocent son's face. She smoothed a lock of hair from his forehead. Getting up slowly she tucked him into bed and kissed his forehead.
When she turned to leave she saw Van watching her from the doorway. She walked to him and stood by his side as they watched their son sleep.
"He looks like an angel when he sleeps, doesn't he?" Hitomi whispered.
Van said nothing and turned to look at her. She watched him from the corner of her eye. It looked as though he was struggling with something. Then he took her by the arm and led her into the hall. He closed Aidan's door and ran a hand through his hair in agitation.
"What is it?" Hitomi asked quietly. She had never seen him do that before.
"We traced down the boy who delivered the message," Van said. "He told us that a traveler in a cloak and hood gave him the message and told him to deliver it for five coins payment."
Hitomi's forehead wrinkled in thought. "So do you think that the traveler in the cloak and hood is in charge of the rebel group?"
"I honestly don't know," Van answered. "But my guess would be, yes."
"But why would the rebels send me a message?" Hitomi asked in puzzlement. "I don't really know anything about them. Why me?"
Van sighed and his tone was weary when he spoke. "They wanted to frighten you," he said.
"It worked," she mumbled.
"They wanted to use you to get to me," Van said. "I suppose they wanted my attention diverted elsewhere for the moment."
"Tracking down the mysterious message sender?" Hitomi inquired.
Van nodded. "Damn, but I wish I knew what they were planning!"
"Don't worry," Hitomi said soothingly, "you'll get them. Good always triumphs over evil. You'll win."
"This isn't a fairy tale," Van said. "Sometimes evil does win."
"Sometimes it doesn't."
Van stared at her for a moment, then bowed his head and began to walk away.
"Milord," Hitomi called.
He stopped and turned his head around.
"Be careful," she said quietly.
He gave her a small nod and walked away. Hitomi leaned against Aidan's door and sighed. She watched his disappearing figure and his warning echoed in her ears.
Sometimes evil does win.
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For three weeks nothing happened. No fires, no murders, no anything. And for three weeks the people of Fanelia steadily grew more and more afraid. Who would be next to die, they all wondered. Who would be the next to burn?
The guards posted a bulletin in the town square. The people crowded around and read the message to one another and a shiver of fear ran through them.
By order of the King:
No one is to leave the city without proper escort. No one is to be out alone at night without the proper escort. If anyone sees or hears any suspicious movement, they are to come directly to the castle gates and will be taken to the King immediately.
Van Fanel, King of FaneliaWhat could it mean? Did they king not know who was behind the burnings? Why wasn't he doing anything about it? Surely their king who had fought in the Great War and rebuilt their kingdom would be able to find and stop these murders. Couldn't he?
The mummers began to circulate in the city. The people felt afraid and insecure. Where was their king in their time of need? He should be protecting the city, not leaving it to fend for itself.
Fear turned into hesitation and hesitation into anger. If their king wouldn't do something about the rebels, then the people would.
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It was wrong.
Hitomi could feel the anger and unrest in the people. They felt lost and betrayed. She wanted to soothe their fears and knew she would have to work quickly. She undressed from her expensive clothes and dug to the bottom of her old trunk. She pulled out a peasant dress and slowly put it on. Grabbing an old cloak she settled it around her shoulders as a knock sounded on her door.
"Come," she commanded.
The door opened and Jon walked in. He bowed to her in respect.
"Close the door, Jon," she ordered.
He did as she said.
"I know you are wondering why I asked you to come from your duties in the middle of the day to speak with me," she started.
Jon nodded his head. "I was wondering, Milady," he said.
She gave him a small smile. "I need your help with something, but I would ask you to agree with my request before you hear it."
He didn't hesitate. "Of course, Milady."
This time her smile was one of relief. "Thank you. Now I would like to go into the city, please."
His face was stunned. "Milady?"
She would have laughed at his facial expression if she hadn't been in a hurry. "The people are uneasy, Jon," she said. "They fear that their king is failing them. Their fears must be put to rest now or something worse may happen."
"I understand that, Milady," he said, "but the King—"
"The King has enough to worry about without adding this matter to his weary mind," Hitomi said promptly. "And you did agree to my request. Please, Jon. I can do this."
He sighed wearily. "The King will not approve."
Hitomi smiled at him. "The King need not know."
An eyebrow shot up. "The King always knows," he said. "Somehow he always finds out what happens to everyone in his kingdom."
"Which is why I'm going to help ease the minds of his people," Hitomi answered. She walked to the door and opened it. "Now come along, Jon. This matter will be cleared up in no time at all."
He gave up. "Yes, Milady."
The two of them walked out of the castle gates with Hitomi's hood over her head and Jon's hands clasped behind his back. They walked into the middle of the square and watched as the people carried on with their daily lives.
There was a baker selling treats and bread to the women for their suppers. There was a blacksmith steadily beating away at a red-hot piece of metal. There was a cloth stand where women were gathered around to exchange bits of gossip, and their children running around the street playing with wooden swords.
And standing right in the middle of it all, Hitomi removed her hood.
"The Queen!" a man shouted.
At once everyone became quiet, even the children, and kneeled before her.
"Please," Hitomi said in a strong voice. "Please do not waste your time bowing to me. I have come to ease your minds of the troubles that have been placed on them." She took a deep breath and clasped her hands to steady their shaking. She hated being in front of crowds.
"My name is Hitomi. I have been your queen for almost four years. I have watched as you lived contently in your comings and goings. I have watched you feel safe, secure. But now your security is threatened, you fear that your safety has been compromised and that you have no hope of once more living in peace. I have come to tell you not to fear. You king has never and will never abandon you. Release your fears and trust him as you once did. Do not let these rebels take your safety from you. That is what they want. They wish to tear your allegiance from your king so that you will have no one to turn to and will fall."
"But where is our king?" a bold man asked. "Why does he not find and stop these rebels?"
"He is trying," Hitomi reassured. "He may be your king, but you also forget that he is a man. He is restricted by the limitations set upon man since the dawning of time. Do not lose heart. A king is only as great as the faith his people have in him. He will win, you shall see. Have hope and all will turn out all right."
Many people hung their heads and many nodded.
"Milady," a woman called and Hitomi turned to face her. "What can we do to help?"
Hitomi smiled at her. "If you see or hear anything that is out of the ordinary, go to your king, and your information may help him accomplish getting rid of these rebels. And never lose your faith in him. He needs it more than you know."
Mummers began to circulate once more, but this time they were filled with hope and faith that their king would lead them to victory once more.
Back at the castle, Hitomi could feel the people's renewed faith in their king and smiled. She turned to Jon. "That was great," she said enthusiastically.
Jon smiled at her, but she could tell it was strained.
"What is it?" she asked as they walked up the castle steps.
He sighed. "I'm glad you were able to ease the people's minds, but I don't like the fact that you made yourself a target."
"A target?" Hitomi asked.
"You were right when you said that the rebels were trying to turn the people against the king," Jon explained. "But I don't think the rebels are going to take kindly to the fact that you were the one to mess up their plans."
"Are you saying that I did the wrong thing?" Hitomi asked in puzzlement. "That I shouldn't have went into the city and talked to the people?"
He sighed again. "It was a good thing you did, Milady, but I just don't want it to have consequences that may affect you."
Hitomi smiled at him. "That you for your concern, Jon, and for going with me, but it was all for the good. You'll see."
Jon bowed and watched as she walked away.
There were always consequences, but what were they going to be?
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Thrust…
Stab…
Block…
Parry…
Repeat…
Van concentrated on each move of his sword. He must be balanced with every slice, with every thought. He must be able to predict what will happen before it happens. He must—
He stumbled slightly and missed his invisible enemy's chest. He was breathing heavily and sweat was dripping off his skin. His hands curled into fists and his eyes closed tightly. Why couldn't he find them? Where was their base? They had to have one! Damn it! Where was it!
A slight noise made his eyes snap open. Standing in the shadows was Hitomi. She had watched him, his gracefulness, his skill…his anger. He felt lost and doubt ate at him.
The two stared at one another for a long time as thunder rumbled in the sky and lighting chased after it. Then, slowly, Hitomi turned and walked away.
Van stared after her for a long while and rain began to fall. His hot skin was cooled by the wetness and his breath began to come out in white puffs.
Slowly, he raised his sword and began to practice again.
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By the time Van had finished his exercises and was dry, it was late and only candles lit the hallway to his room. He stopped before Hitomi's door and stared at it. He couldn't seem to move from in front of the door. Something was drawing him toward the room. He tried to fight it for a moment, then sighed and gave in. He opened the door and walked in.
Hitomi was standing by the bed with nothing but a housecoat on. It was tied tightly around her body and Van's mouth went dry. He clenched his fist to allow him some restraint and swiftly turned away.
"Wait," Hitomi's voice stilled him.
A rustling of fabric sounded behind him and suddenly she was standing in front of him, the door at her back.
"Why do you turn from me?" she questioned softly.
He lowered his face and several locks of hair hid his eyes from view. Gently, Hitomi placed her hands on his shoulder and slid them slowly down until they connected over his heart. It was beating fast and Hitomi concentrated.
She felt fear that he would hurt her like his father had hurt his mother when he had died. He had watched his mother whither away until she was nothing but an empty shell living on memories. He was afraid that he could have the power to hurt her that much or that she could hurt him if he allowed himself to feel for her.
Her hands slid away and tears slipped down her cheeks. "Van," she whispered.
His head rose as he looked at her. It was the first time she had ever called him by name. She slipped her arms around his neck. "Let me love you," she whispered and pressed as tightly to him as she could get. "Please."
Hunger slammed into him as he roughly grabbed her hair and crushed his mouth to hers. He couldn't force himself to run anymore.
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Sweat glistened on his skin as he lay on his back. Hitomi was curled at his side like a content kitten. Self-loathing rushed through him. He had taken her roughly. Like an animal. She deserved better than that. She was too pure for that kind of treatment. How would she ever be able to look at him again?
Thinking she was asleep, Van began to get out of bed.
"Stay," Hitomi whispered.
"I should go," Van said quietly.
Hitomi wrapped her arms around his waist. "Stay with me," she whispered. "I want to sleep with my husband tonight."
Van stared at her closed eyes and slowly settled back into the bed. He gently wrapped his arms around her small form and held her close. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to relax. And for the first time that he could remember, he felt at peace.
To be continued…
I want to think everyone who reviewed and I hope ya'll liked the new chapter!!! Be sure to leave a review and let me know!!!
Tevrah