Disclaimer: I own nothing of Escaflowne *sobs*
A/N: ENJOY!!!! Thank you for all the nice reviews, replies now every time at the bottom. ^____^
In Disguise
Chapter 8
Tired Hitomi crawled out of her bed. Yawning, she tried to tangle out the many knots that had formed in her hair in the few hours of sleep.
It was past lunch now, she was glad her parents did not have any chores for her today. Hitomi looked out of the window and saw black clouds building up in the sky. It looked like rain.
Poor Van, he had to work outside in this weather.
Van …
She began to giggle like a little school girl.
He loved her!
A few hours before he had flown her back to the clearing and they had walked back to the farm, hand in hand.
She couldn´t wait to bring him his lunch and see his handsome smile, only for her!
As quickly as she could Hitomi washed and put her clothes on. She stormed out of the room into the kitchen. Her parents were sitting at the wooden table, her mother had a sad expression on her face. Her father´s face was unreadable, his jaw was set firmly as he looked at Hitomi.
A uncomfortable feeling arose in the pit of Hitomi's stomach, `W-What is wrong?´
Her father looked her straight in the eye, `I need to talk to you Hitomi.´
Outdoors the first thick rain drops began to fall.
Hitomi nodded worried.
`Hitomi, you are eighteen now and you have grown into a beautiful woman. Many men would yearn for making you their wife. Allen Shezar an Asturian Caeli knight is one of them.´
Hitomi`s heart beat wildly in her chest, she tightened the hold on the wooden chair in front of her. Did he expect her to marry Allen? No, it just couldn`t be!
Her father continued with authority in his voice, `He is very rich and has a high social status in Asturia. He has been visiting us for a long time now, asking for your hand in marriage … and I granted him. You are going to marry Allen Shezar!´
Silence spread in the room.
She thought her heart had stopped beating, her eyes and mouth fell open.
No!
She must have been mistaken, this couldn`t be true!
No!
Her parents wouldn`t do something like that to her!
Hitomi only stood there, no words came out of her mouth. Worried her mother stood up from her chair and tried to comfort her, but Hitomi pulled away from her grip and shouted, `I won't marry him, I can`t! How could you do this to me? You didn`t even ask me!´ Tears welled up in her eyes.
Outside the rain poured down heavily and a violent storm was raging.
Charriu stood up, `It`s he best for you, he can give you everything you desire! You don`t have to work anymore! Why don`t you understand that it is the best solution?´
Salty tears ran down Hitomi`s cheeks now, `How do you know what is the best for me? I don`t love Allen!´
Her father hit the desk with his fist, `He is a rich, handsome man, you can learn to love him! When will you get a chance like this again?´ Hitomi wanted to say something, but her father interrupted her loudly, `No discussions! You will marry him, I gave my word, I can`t take it back! You will be Hitomi Shezar!´
Hitomi looked at her father, her vision blurry from all the tears, she could not stand being in this room any longer!
*
Van was running into the direction of the farm stead, he tried to shield himself from the rain, but it was in vain. He was wet to the bone.
But silently he thanked the storm, because he couldn`t keep on working. Now he was able to spend the remaining day with his Hitomi!
The whole day now he had this tingling feeling in his stomach and his mind was set on Hitomi. He couldn`t stop thinking about her, even if he had wanted to.
Relieved Van stepped into the farm yard. The rain slowly drenched the earth and it was extremely slick.
He was just on his way to the door, when it suddenly swung open forcefully. He saw Hitomi running out into the rain.
At first a smile formed on Van`s handsome face, but it quickly vanished as Hitomi ran past him, tears falling from her eyes.
Mrs. Kanzaki appeared in the doorway, calling her, but she only kept running.
Van watched Hitomi`s fast fading form. He didn`t waste any more time and he ran after her. He needed to know what was wrong!
He tried to catch up with her, but she was a fast runner and didn`t react to his calls.
*
Hitomi ran as fast as she could, she needed to get away!
It was difficult to run with the tears blurring her vision and the ground beneath her getting more slicker every passing moment.
Suddenly she felt that she was slipping, she couldn`t regain her balance and fell heavily on the muddy ground. Hitomi didn`t get up, she was lying on the wet path, sobbing.
`Hitomi!´
Van had seen her fall, he was alarmed . She didn`t move , what if she was hurt?
Despite the wet path he ran faster. Concerned he knelt next to Hitomi`s sobbing form, `Hitomi, are you Ok! Are you- ´
Before he could finish his sentence Hitomi flung herself into his arms, clenching to his wet shirt.
`Hitomi´, Van whispered into her ear, holding her close, `What happened?´
`I-I'm betrothed!´ she sobbed even more, `I'm betrothed to A-Allen Shezar, the Knight of Caeli.´´ She tightened the hold on Van`s shirt.
Van couldn`t believe what he had just heard, his Hitomi betrothed to the Caeli Knight?
`M-My parents did this to me, I didn`t know anything of this!´
This couldn`t be true!
He felt Hitomi shiver in his arms. They needed to get to a dry place first, `Hitomi, we need to get inside or we are going to catch a cold.´
He took her into his arms and carried her over some fields up to an old windmill.
The windmill wasn`t used anymore, Van and Hitomi had often met there to talk.
Quickly Van opened the wooden door. As they entered the scent of wet wood and grain filled their nostrils. Water dropped down from small holes in the roof.
Hitomi had stopped crying and got a blanket she had left there the last time. Van made a fire in the fireplace in the middle of the room. `You should take off your clothes, or you`ll catch a cold.´ Van took off his red shirt.
Hitomi blushed, but followed his advice, she put all clothes down except for her underwear. Still with a rosy face, Hitomi wound the blanket around herself and an also red faced Van.
He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, while she pillowed her head on his shoulder. They sat a while like that, watching the cracking fire, which warmed their cold bodies.
`Van, what can I do? I don`t want to marry Allen, I can`t! I love you not him! We have finally discovered our love, I can`t throw all this away!´ She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his crimson eyes. `M-my parents won`t cancel this arrangement, even if I was begging on my knees.´
Van removed a sandy-blond lock from her face, resting his hand on her soft cheek, `I love you too, Hitomi everything will be alright. We will find a way out of this. Do you think I would let you marry this moron? Before I let that happen I`ll whisk you away and hide you at a secret place so that we can be together.´
Hitomi giggled, `Sounds nice. We could build a neat house on a clearing in the middle of the woods, with a clear stream nearby…´
`And our children will be playing on the soft, green grass in front of the house.´
Hitomi raised an eyebrow, `But…´
Again she couldn`t finish her sentence, Van had sealed his lips with hers, kissing impetuously. They slowly deepened the kiss. Van ran his hands up and down her slender waist, a soft moan escaped Hitomi`s mouth. It was a sweet, romantic kiss, neither of them wanted to part.
But they had to pull a away, breathing heavily, because of the lack of oxygen. Hitomi`s lips were slightly swollen from his kisses and her cheeks had a rosy hue, a smile played on her lips, `I love you so much Van!´ She gave him a short kiss on his lips, `I will go to Allen myself and talk to him, I could never marry let alone love him.´
Van gave her a concerned look, `Are you sure? It could be dangerous.´
Hitomi laughed, `You worry too much Van, what could he do? Besides, he shouldn`t mess with an angry Hitomi, I can be very dangerous when I`m mad.´
Van nodded with a mischievous grin spreading on his features, `I can imagine!´
Hitomi narrowed her eyes at him, `What do you mean?´
`Nothing, love!´ He quickly kissed her on the top of her nose, `Can you tell me why your parents want you to marry the Knight?´
Hitomi`s face darkened, "They think it`s best for me, because he is rich and can give me everything I desire. But I don`t care if he`s rich,´ She smiled again, ` I prefer a poor, but handsome farmhand!´
`Good to know… Do you know Allen from your stays in Asturia?´
`Yes, I do, unfortunately. My father says that I don`t know him and that I could learn to love him. But I could never fall for this man. He was one of the men who insulted me, because I studied. He said that a woman like me shouldn`t try to interfere with men`s business, she should find a husband and cook for him and mend his socks.´ A frown formed on Hitomi`s forehead, `Moreover he laughed at me and said that I would certainly fail.´
`He did what? If I see him I`ll break his nose!´ Van shook his fists.
`You don`t have to, but on the other hand… it would be fun to see this pretty boy with a bleeding nose.´
`I`m sure it would be and if you want to see it I`ll do it for you,´ chuckling he pulled her closer, `I would do everything for you.´
****
`Where could he be?´ Larian muttered under his breath. For one hour he had been on the search for Jack one of his trusted servants. Larian had called for him two hours before, but he was nowhere to be found.
Angry he stumped outside into the stables, walking up a small wooden ladder into the granary.
The whole granary was filled up with straw, Larian looked around and spotted a dark hair bob. Frowning Larian walked the ladder down again. A mean smirk on his face he gripped a pail full of water, meant as a drink for the horses. Still grinning he crawled the ladder up again.
As quietly as he could he crept up to the sleeping young man. Without hesitation he splashed the whole pail over the boy`s head.
Jack bolted up snorting, `Wha-Who…´ He went pale as he saw Larian towering over him with an angry expression on his face, `Oh, Si-Sir Larian, I – What…´
`Stop stuttering! I called for you two hours ago, shouldn`t you be at work instead of sleeping here!?´ Larian interrupted him harshly.
`I-I`m sorry, please don`t tell Boris the surveyor he would punish me´, the poor boy pleaded helplessly.
Larian sighed, `I won`t tell him, but you should stop sleeping in your working time.´
Happily the boy nodded, `Of cause, Sir Larian, I-I will stop that!´
`Good, now that I finally found you, I have a task for you.´
`What can I do for you?´
`Tonight you have to ride to the farm of the Kanzaki family in Asturia and escort our King back to Fanelia.´
The young servant gasped, `The King can come back and I can escort him here? I-I feel honoured!´
`Very good, when you are at the farm, try to find the King alone. Don`t tell anyone that you want to see the King of Fanelia, the farmers think he is a mere farmhand and I think it`s not good that they get to know his true identity.´
`I will do everything as you please, tonight I will bring the King back to Fanelia.´
****
The rain had stopped pouring down and the sun was slowly creeping through the dark clouds.
Van and Hitomi sat cuddled up together on the roof of the old windmill. Van held her small hand in his big one, tenderly caressing her palm.
Hitomi inhaled the fresh air, `It still smells like rain, I love this scent.´
Van nodded, keeping his gaze on the wide green fields and hills.
`Van?´, the shyness in Hitomi`s voice made him look at her inquisitively.
`Van, will-will you stay here at the farm … with me when the summer is over and the other farmhands have gone?´
Van didn`t answer, he wanted to stay with her at the small farm forever. But he knew he couldn`t, soon he would have to go back to Fanelia and he hadn`t told Hitomi of his heritage yet.
Anxiously Hitomi waited for Van`s answer, which didn`t come.
Hitomi looked at Van`s absent-minded face sadly whispering: `S-So you won`t stay´, she lowered her face, feeling tears burning in her eyes.
Van`s heart broke at the sight before him, he didn`t want to make her cry. He had to tell her the truth, but he feared her reaction.
Hitomi looked into his eye smiling sadly, he could see the glistening tears in her eyes, `It`s ok Van, if you don't want to stay. I -I understand.´ She didn`t want the tears to fall, it was Van`s decision and if he didn`t want to stay it was okay, but it hurt, it damn hurt so much.
`Hitomi´, he gently kissed the salty tear drops away, `Don`t cry, I want to stay with you, of cause I want to. I love you, I don`t think that I could stand being separated from you.´
`Van, but if you really-´
`Shh, no I want to stay at the farm, with you.´
Van`s heart sung with joy at the beaming smile on her face. She looked so beautiful, some tears were still glistening in her emerald eyes and the wind picked up her sandy blond her. Joyfully she threw herself into his arms.
Although he was happy there was still this uncomfortable feeling in his stomach and a voice screaming in his head, ``Coward, you can`t stay with her at the farm! Tell her!´´
Van held her closer to his body. He would tell her, but not yet, it wasn`t the right time, now that she was engaged. He didn`t want to cause her more problems. But he had to tell her soon, he didn`t know when he had to go back to the castle.
****
A dark figure was slowly riding on the small dirty path to the Kanzaki farm, murmuring silent crushes under his breath.
It was a dark starless night, you couldn`t see the hand in front of your face. The poor boy had came the whole way from the Fanelian castle in the middle of the night. If he had known that the way was so long he never would have said accepted this task. He had hidden at his favourite spot, which nobody could find, and would have had another servant do this job. But no, he had felt honoured by this all so lofty task.
Grunting he reached the small farmstead. He slowly got down from his horse trying to compare this building with the description Larian had given him. When he was sure it was the farm he was searching for, he stepped into the yard.
Helplessly the boy looked around. In which of these buildings could the King be? Sighing he walked over to one of the buildings. Not paying attention to where he was going, he bumped into some tools, which loudly fell to the ground.
`Oh, no!´ Quickly he covered his mouth with his hand.
The boy looked around hoping not to wake anybody. Surreptitiously he walked up to the building until he could hear grunting and squealing. After some moments of concentrated listening he recognized that he was standing in front of the stables. At a loss he walked over to the next building.
He tiptoed up to a window. After unsuccessfully stretching and peeping in order to see something through the dark window, he decided to go to the next window when a deep voice stopped him, `Hey who are you, what are you doing here?´
Panic filled the boy, he went as white as a ghost when he turned. Everything he could recognize was the shape of a tall, muscular man with what seemed to be a pitch fork.
The poor servant stumbled backwards, `P-please, do-don`t hurt me! I-I don`t want a-any harm, I-I`m just here to- to see the King of F-Fanelia, I-I`m Jack a servant!´ Trembling the boy closed his eyes.
The man in front of him roughly pulled him up by his collar, `Don`t be so loud, do you want to wake the whole farm? And stop trembling, it's me, Van.´
Jack gaped into the King`s face, `Y-Your majesty! And I thought…´ He bowed deeply in front of Van, `It`s an honour for me to see you again, Your Highness!´
Impatiently Van rolled his eyes, `What do you want?´
The boy looked at Van confused, "I'm here to escort you home to Fanelia, the assassin is in prison now. You can come back, your Highness!"
Van stared at him, he had imagined this was coming. But it was too early to go! He hadn`t told Hitomi, he couldn`t just leave, not after his promise to stay with her.
`Is something wrong, Your majesty?´
Van didn`t hear the boy speaking to him, too many thoughts were flashing through his head. He couldn`t leave now, but on the other hand he had to, he had been away from his kingdom far too long! Moreover, if he would have to tell Hitomi directly and he wasn`t sure of her reaction. But if he left, it would break her heart… and his probably, too.
`Your majesty, what`s wrong? I`m sorry, but we really need to go, everyone is waiting for your arrival back home! There will be a big feast in your honour. And I`m sorry to tell you this, but at home there is a lot of work to do, Fanelia needs you!´
Van looked at the boy and nodded. He would leave the farm, but return to tell Hitomi everything!
Van hurried to his room and packed his belongings.
He was just on his way to the outside , when he turned around again.
Silently he tiptoed over to one of the wooden doors and stepped into the dark room. He smiled lovingly at the slender woman sleeping in the soft bed.
He walked up to the bed and knelt down.
Tenderly he caressed her cheek, `I`m sorry love, forgive me. But I`ll come back, I promise!´ With that said he gently kissed her the last time, before he left.
_________________________________
A/N: It only has been a week since the last update *grins* I was on vacation and I wrote everywhere I could, at the beach, in bed, in the car. I hope that you all liked this chapter and won't kill me for making Van leave ^_^; Next chapter Hitomi will pay Allen a visit and it certainly will be fun! Till then, have a great week,
Little fairy
Kat-Tastrophe: Thank you for the review!
DragonTamer9741: Doesn't matter ^__^! Thank you for the nice review! Glad you still like it!
Snow blossoms: *blushes* My face is as red as a tomato! Glad you liked the fluff, wasn't sure if it was good! And Allen will pay!!! That Barbie! Thank you for the nice review, loved reading it! ^_^
Crystel: I think it's a great idea to start a fanfic on your own! Will it be a romance, action or drama? Escaflowne? Van/Hitomi? I'm really looking forward to the story! And you want an advise from me? *blushes* Oh my! I'm speechless! Thank you! Maybe I can give you some advise, when you have the first chapter out or an idea for the story! ^____^ good luck with your story, have a great week! Till next time!
Farhancharizard: Thanks for reviewing! More fluff will certainly come! And the next chapter will be out sooner than the last one!
Cherryblossombabe15: Don't like Allen, too! *watches Allen, while he brushes his oh so golden hair* But he will pay! MUHHHAHA! ^__^
Ba-anluva~: *blushes* Thank you for the review!
Jossi-31: Thanks ! Hope you liked this chap too !
Cyber1 : Thank you for pointing that out, I wasn't sure if there are many spelling mistakes. I'll try my best1 Thanks for the nice review!
Lady Rebecca: Ahh ! Please don't sent your elves *tries to hide* I'll try to make Hitomi marry Van, but I'm not sure if … *sees elves slowly coming nearer* I-I have to go now *runs as fast as she could* ^__^ Thank you for reviewing!
Freelancer47: *lol* next chap Allen will pay! Hitomi is coming! ^_^ Soooo glad you still like my story! And there will soon be more fluffy fluff! ^_^ thanks for reviewing!
Fluer21: *lol* thanks for the review and hihi, just had to stop there and let you all hanging! ^_^ *blushes* thank you soooooo much!
Destinee: *blushes* Thanks! I'll try to finish as soon as possible, hope you liked this chap too! ^___^
MysticalDreamer: *lol* Thanks for reviewing! And everything will be alright… or not? Hihi, don't know yet! Hope you liked this chap!
Kiya: Who has any options compared to Van *sighs* Happy you liked it and this story will have a happy end! ^__^
Rowan Silverfox: Allen just had to show up again, or there would be the cliffy ^__^! And I needed some one to bash!
Lady Luna: Thanks!^_^ Hope you liked this chapter too, although Van left! And about this engage with Allen, Hitomi will handle it!
Night of the Raven: The next chapter will be out soon, hope you keep reading ^_^! And thank you for the review!
A/N: ENJOY!!!! Thank you for all the nice reviews, replies now every time at the bottom. ^____^
In Disguise
Chapter 8
Tired Hitomi crawled out of her bed. Yawning, she tried to tangle out the many knots that had formed in her hair in the few hours of sleep.
It was past lunch now, she was glad her parents did not have any chores for her today. Hitomi looked out of the window and saw black clouds building up in the sky. It looked like rain.
Poor Van, he had to work outside in this weather.
Van …
She began to giggle like a little school girl.
He loved her!
A few hours before he had flown her back to the clearing and they had walked back to the farm, hand in hand.
She couldn´t wait to bring him his lunch and see his handsome smile, only for her!
As quickly as she could Hitomi washed and put her clothes on. She stormed out of the room into the kitchen. Her parents were sitting at the wooden table, her mother had a sad expression on her face. Her father´s face was unreadable, his jaw was set firmly as he looked at Hitomi.
A uncomfortable feeling arose in the pit of Hitomi's stomach, `W-What is wrong?´
Her father looked her straight in the eye, `I need to talk to you Hitomi.´
Outdoors the first thick rain drops began to fall.
Hitomi nodded worried.
`Hitomi, you are eighteen now and you have grown into a beautiful woman. Many men would yearn for making you their wife. Allen Shezar an Asturian Caeli knight is one of them.´
Hitomi`s heart beat wildly in her chest, she tightened the hold on the wooden chair in front of her. Did he expect her to marry Allen? No, it just couldn`t be!
Her father continued with authority in his voice, `He is very rich and has a high social status in Asturia. He has been visiting us for a long time now, asking for your hand in marriage … and I granted him. You are going to marry Allen Shezar!´
Silence spread in the room.
She thought her heart had stopped beating, her eyes and mouth fell open.
No!
She must have been mistaken, this couldn`t be true!
No!
Her parents wouldn`t do something like that to her!
Hitomi only stood there, no words came out of her mouth. Worried her mother stood up from her chair and tried to comfort her, but Hitomi pulled away from her grip and shouted, `I won't marry him, I can`t! How could you do this to me? You didn`t even ask me!´ Tears welled up in her eyes.
Outside the rain poured down heavily and a violent storm was raging.
Charriu stood up, `It`s he best for you, he can give you everything you desire! You don`t have to work anymore! Why don`t you understand that it is the best solution?´
Salty tears ran down Hitomi`s cheeks now, `How do you know what is the best for me? I don`t love Allen!´
Her father hit the desk with his fist, `He is a rich, handsome man, you can learn to love him! When will you get a chance like this again?´ Hitomi wanted to say something, but her father interrupted her loudly, `No discussions! You will marry him, I gave my word, I can`t take it back! You will be Hitomi Shezar!´
Hitomi looked at her father, her vision blurry from all the tears, she could not stand being in this room any longer!
*
Van was running into the direction of the farm stead, he tried to shield himself from the rain, but it was in vain. He was wet to the bone.
But silently he thanked the storm, because he couldn`t keep on working. Now he was able to spend the remaining day with his Hitomi!
The whole day now he had this tingling feeling in his stomach and his mind was set on Hitomi. He couldn`t stop thinking about her, even if he had wanted to.
Relieved Van stepped into the farm yard. The rain slowly drenched the earth and it was extremely slick.
He was just on his way to the door, when it suddenly swung open forcefully. He saw Hitomi running out into the rain.
At first a smile formed on Van`s handsome face, but it quickly vanished as Hitomi ran past him, tears falling from her eyes.
Mrs. Kanzaki appeared in the doorway, calling her, but she only kept running.
Van watched Hitomi`s fast fading form. He didn`t waste any more time and he ran after her. He needed to know what was wrong!
He tried to catch up with her, but she was a fast runner and didn`t react to his calls.
*
Hitomi ran as fast as she could, she needed to get away!
It was difficult to run with the tears blurring her vision and the ground beneath her getting more slicker every passing moment.
Suddenly she felt that she was slipping, she couldn`t regain her balance and fell heavily on the muddy ground. Hitomi didn`t get up, she was lying on the wet path, sobbing.
`Hitomi!´
Van had seen her fall, he was alarmed . She didn`t move , what if she was hurt?
Despite the wet path he ran faster. Concerned he knelt next to Hitomi`s sobbing form, `Hitomi, are you Ok! Are you- ´
Before he could finish his sentence Hitomi flung herself into his arms, clenching to his wet shirt.
`Hitomi´, Van whispered into her ear, holding her close, `What happened?´
`I-I'm betrothed!´ she sobbed even more, `I'm betrothed to A-Allen Shezar, the Knight of Caeli.´´ She tightened the hold on Van`s shirt.
Van couldn`t believe what he had just heard, his Hitomi betrothed to the Caeli Knight?
`M-My parents did this to me, I didn`t know anything of this!´
This couldn`t be true!
He felt Hitomi shiver in his arms. They needed to get to a dry place first, `Hitomi, we need to get inside or we are going to catch a cold.´
He took her into his arms and carried her over some fields up to an old windmill.
The windmill wasn`t used anymore, Van and Hitomi had often met there to talk.
Quickly Van opened the wooden door. As they entered the scent of wet wood and grain filled their nostrils. Water dropped down from small holes in the roof.
Hitomi had stopped crying and got a blanket she had left there the last time. Van made a fire in the fireplace in the middle of the room. `You should take off your clothes, or you`ll catch a cold.´ Van took off his red shirt.
Hitomi blushed, but followed his advice, she put all clothes down except for her underwear. Still with a rosy face, Hitomi wound the blanket around herself and an also red faced Van.
He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, while she pillowed her head on his shoulder. They sat a while like that, watching the cracking fire, which warmed their cold bodies.
`Van, what can I do? I don`t want to marry Allen, I can`t! I love you not him! We have finally discovered our love, I can`t throw all this away!´ She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his crimson eyes. `M-my parents won`t cancel this arrangement, even if I was begging on my knees.´
Van removed a sandy-blond lock from her face, resting his hand on her soft cheek, `I love you too, Hitomi everything will be alright. We will find a way out of this. Do you think I would let you marry this moron? Before I let that happen I`ll whisk you away and hide you at a secret place so that we can be together.´
Hitomi giggled, `Sounds nice. We could build a neat house on a clearing in the middle of the woods, with a clear stream nearby…´
`And our children will be playing on the soft, green grass in front of the house.´
Hitomi raised an eyebrow, `But…´
Again she couldn`t finish her sentence, Van had sealed his lips with hers, kissing impetuously. They slowly deepened the kiss. Van ran his hands up and down her slender waist, a soft moan escaped Hitomi`s mouth. It was a sweet, romantic kiss, neither of them wanted to part.
But they had to pull a away, breathing heavily, because of the lack of oxygen. Hitomi`s lips were slightly swollen from his kisses and her cheeks had a rosy hue, a smile played on her lips, `I love you so much Van!´ She gave him a short kiss on his lips, `I will go to Allen myself and talk to him, I could never marry let alone love him.´
Van gave her a concerned look, `Are you sure? It could be dangerous.´
Hitomi laughed, `You worry too much Van, what could he do? Besides, he shouldn`t mess with an angry Hitomi, I can be very dangerous when I`m mad.´
Van nodded with a mischievous grin spreading on his features, `I can imagine!´
Hitomi narrowed her eyes at him, `What do you mean?´
`Nothing, love!´ He quickly kissed her on the top of her nose, `Can you tell me why your parents want you to marry the Knight?´
Hitomi`s face darkened, "They think it`s best for me, because he is rich and can give me everything I desire. But I don`t care if he`s rich,´ She smiled again, ` I prefer a poor, but handsome farmhand!´
`Good to know… Do you know Allen from your stays in Asturia?´
`Yes, I do, unfortunately. My father says that I don`t know him and that I could learn to love him. But I could never fall for this man. He was one of the men who insulted me, because I studied. He said that a woman like me shouldn`t try to interfere with men`s business, she should find a husband and cook for him and mend his socks.´ A frown formed on Hitomi`s forehead, `Moreover he laughed at me and said that I would certainly fail.´
`He did what? If I see him I`ll break his nose!´ Van shook his fists.
`You don`t have to, but on the other hand… it would be fun to see this pretty boy with a bleeding nose.´
`I`m sure it would be and if you want to see it I`ll do it for you,´ chuckling he pulled her closer, `I would do everything for you.´
****
`Where could he be?´ Larian muttered under his breath. For one hour he had been on the search for Jack one of his trusted servants. Larian had called for him two hours before, but he was nowhere to be found.
Angry he stumped outside into the stables, walking up a small wooden ladder into the granary.
The whole granary was filled up with straw, Larian looked around and spotted a dark hair bob. Frowning Larian walked the ladder down again. A mean smirk on his face he gripped a pail full of water, meant as a drink for the horses. Still grinning he crawled the ladder up again.
As quietly as he could he crept up to the sleeping young man. Without hesitation he splashed the whole pail over the boy`s head.
Jack bolted up snorting, `Wha-Who…´ He went pale as he saw Larian towering over him with an angry expression on his face, `Oh, Si-Sir Larian, I – What…´
`Stop stuttering! I called for you two hours ago, shouldn`t you be at work instead of sleeping here!?´ Larian interrupted him harshly.
`I-I`m sorry, please don`t tell Boris the surveyor he would punish me´, the poor boy pleaded helplessly.
Larian sighed, `I won`t tell him, but you should stop sleeping in your working time.´
Happily the boy nodded, `Of cause, Sir Larian, I-I will stop that!´
`Good, now that I finally found you, I have a task for you.´
`What can I do for you?´
`Tonight you have to ride to the farm of the Kanzaki family in Asturia and escort our King back to Fanelia.´
The young servant gasped, `The King can come back and I can escort him here? I-I feel honoured!´
`Very good, when you are at the farm, try to find the King alone. Don`t tell anyone that you want to see the King of Fanelia, the farmers think he is a mere farmhand and I think it`s not good that they get to know his true identity.´
`I will do everything as you please, tonight I will bring the King back to Fanelia.´
****
The rain had stopped pouring down and the sun was slowly creeping through the dark clouds.
Van and Hitomi sat cuddled up together on the roof of the old windmill. Van held her small hand in his big one, tenderly caressing her palm.
Hitomi inhaled the fresh air, `It still smells like rain, I love this scent.´
Van nodded, keeping his gaze on the wide green fields and hills.
`Van?´, the shyness in Hitomi`s voice made him look at her inquisitively.
`Van, will-will you stay here at the farm … with me when the summer is over and the other farmhands have gone?´
Van didn`t answer, he wanted to stay with her at the small farm forever. But he knew he couldn`t, soon he would have to go back to Fanelia and he hadn`t told Hitomi of his heritage yet.
Anxiously Hitomi waited for Van`s answer, which didn`t come.
Hitomi looked at Van`s absent-minded face sadly whispering: `S-So you won`t stay´, she lowered her face, feeling tears burning in her eyes.
Van`s heart broke at the sight before him, he didn`t want to make her cry. He had to tell her the truth, but he feared her reaction.
Hitomi looked into his eye smiling sadly, he could see the glistening tears in her eyes, `It`s ok Van, if you don't want to stay. I -I understand.´ She didn`t want the tears to fall, it was Van`s decision and if he didn`t want to stay it was okay, but it hurt, it damn hurt so much.
`Hitomi´, he gently kissed the salty tear drops away, `Don`t cry, I want to stay with you, of cause I want to. I love you, I don`t think that I could stand being separated from you.´
`Van, but if you really-´
`Shh, no I want to stay at the farm, with you.´
Van`s heart sung with joy at the beaming smile on her face. She looked so beautiful, some tears were still glistening in her emerald eyes and the wind picked up her sandy blond her. Joyfully she threw herself into his arms.
Although he was happy there was still this uncomfortable feeling in his stomach and a voice screaming in his head, ``Coward, you can`t stay with her at the farm! Tell her!´´
Van held her closer to his body. He would tell her, but not yet, it wasn`t the right time, now that she was engaged. He didn`t want to cause her more problems. But he had to tell her soon, he didn`t know when he had to go back to the castle.
****
A dark figure was slowly riding on the small dirty path to the Kanzaki farm, murmuring silent crushes under his breath.
It was a dark starless night, you couldn`t see the hand in front of your face. The poor boy had came the whole way from the Fanelian castle in the middle of the night. If he had known that the way was so long he never would have said accepted this task. He had hidden at his favourite spot, which nobody could find, and would have had another servant do this job. But no, he had felt honoured by this all so lofty task.
Grunting he reached the small farmstead. He slowly got down from his horse trying to compare this building with the description Larian had given him. When he was sure it was the farm he was searching for, he stepped into the yard.
Helplessly the boy looked around. In which of these buildings could the King be? Sighing he walked over to one of the buildings. Not paying attention to where he was going, he bumped into some tools, which loudly fell to the ground.
`Oh, no!´ Quickly he covered his mouth with his hand.
The boy looked around hoping not to wake anybody. Surreptitiously he walked up to the building until he could hear grunting and squealing. After some moments of concentrated listening he recognized that he was standing in front of the stables. At a loss he walked over to the next building.
He tiptoed up to a window. After unsuccessfully stretching and peeping in order to see something through the dark window, he decided to go to the next window when a deep voice stopped him, `Hey who are you, what are you doing here?´
Panic filled the boy, he went as white as a ghost when he turned. Everything he could recognize was the shape of a tall, muscular man with what seemed to be a pitch fork.
The poor servant stumbled backwards, `P-please, do-don`t hurt me! I-I don`t want a-any harm, I-I`m just here to- to see the King of F-Fanelia, I-I`m Jack a servant!´ Trembling the boy closed his eyes.
The man in front of him roughly pulled him up by his collar, `Don`t be so loud, do you want to wake the whole farm? And stop trembling, it's me, Van.´
Jack gaped into the King`s face, `Y-Your majesty! And I thought…´ He bowed deeply in front of Van, `It`s an honour for me to see you again, Your Highness!´
Impatiently Van rolled his eyes, `What do you want?´
The boy looked at Van confused, "I'm here to escort you home to Fanelia, the assassin is in prison now. You can come back, your Highness!"
Van stared at him, he had imagined this was coming. But it was too early to go! He hadn`t told Hitomi, he couldn`t just leave, not after his promise to stay with her.
`Is something wrong, Your majesty?´
Van didn`t hear the boy speaking to him, too many thoughts were flashing through his head. He couldn`t leave now, but on the other hand he had to, he had been away from his kingdom far too long! Moreover, if he would have to tell Hitomi directly and he wasn`t sure of her reaction. But if he left, it would break her heart… and his probably, too.
`Your majesty, what`s wrong? I`m sorry, but we really need to go, everyone is waiting for your arrival back home! There will be a big feast in your honour. And I`m sorry to tell you this, but at home there is a lot of work to do, Fanelia needs you!´
Van looked at the boy and nodded. He would leave the farm, but return to tell Hitomi everything!
Van hurried to his room and packed his belongings.
He was just on his way to the outside , when he turned around again.
Silently he tiptoed over to one of the wooden doors and stepped into the dark room. He smiled lovingly at the slender woman sleeping in the soft bed.
He walked up to the bed and knelt down.
Tenderly he caressed her cheek, `I`m sorry love, forgive me. But I`ll come back, I promise!´ With that said he gently kissed her the last time, before he left.
_________________________________
A/N: It only has been a week since the last update *grins* I was on vacation and I wrote everywhere I could, at the beach, in bed, in the car. I hope that you all liked this chapter and won't kill me for making Van leave ^_^; Next chapter Hitomi will pay Allen a visit and it certainly will be fun! Till then, have a great week,
Little fairy
Kat-Tastrophe: Thank you for the review!
DragonTamer9741: Doesn't matter ^__^! Thank you for the nice review! Glad you still like it!
Snow blossoms: *blushes* My face is as red as a tomato! Glad you liked the fluff, wasn't sure if it was good! And Allen will pay!!! That Barbie! Thank you for the nice review, loved reading it! ^_^
Crystel: I think it's a great idea to start a fanfic on your own! Will it be a romance, action or drama? Escaflowne? Van/Hitomi? I'm really looking forward to the story! And you want an advise from me? *blushes* Oh my! I'm speechless! Thank you! Maybe I can give you some advise, when you have the first chapter out or an idea for the story! ^____^ good luck with your story, have a great week! Till next time!
Farhancharizard: Thanks for reviewing! More fluff will certainly come! And the next chapter will be out sooner than the last one!
Cherryblossombabe15: Don't like Allen, too! *watches Allen, while he brushes his oh so golden hair* But he will pay! MUHHHAHA! ^__^
Ba-anluva~: *blushes* Thank you for the review!
Jossi-31: Thanks ! Hope you liked this chap too !
Cyber1 : Thank you for pointing that out, I wasn't sure if there are many spelling mistakes. I'll try my best1 Thanks for the nice review!
Lady Rebecca: Ahh ! Please don't sent your elves *tries to hide* I'll try to make Hitomi marry Van, but I'm not sure if … *sees elves slowly coming nearer* I-I have to go now *runs as fast as she could* ^__^ Thank you for reviewing!
Freelancer47: *lol* next chap Allen will pay! Hitomi is coming! ^_^ Soooo glad you still like my story! And there will soon be more fluffy fluff! ^_^ thanks for reviewing!
Fluer21: *lol* thanks for the review and hihi, just had to stop there and let you all hanging! ^_^ *blushes* thank you soooooo much!
Destinee: *blushes* Thanks! I'll try to finish as soon as possible, hope you liked this chap too! ^___^
MysticalDreamer: *lol* Thanks for reviewing! And everything will be alright… or not? Hihi, don't know yet! Hope you liked this chap!
Kiya: Who has any options compared to Van *sighs* Happy you liked it and this story will have a happy end! ^__^
Rowan Silverfox: Allen just had to show up again, or there would be the cliffy ^__^! And I needed some one to bash!
Lady Luna: Thanks!^_^ Hope you liked this chapter too, although Van left! And about this engage with Allen, Hitomi will handle it!
Night of the Raven: The next chapter will be out soon, hope you keep reading ^_^! And thank you for the review!