ESCAFLOWNE

"PURRFECT ROMANCE"

PAIRING: Van Fanel and Merle

RATING: PG-13

SETTING: After the Escaflowne Series

INTRODUCTION

This is an story of love.

A story of hardship ... and truth and adventure.

A story about class ... about freedom.

But most of all love.

And not with who you think.

Before Hitomi, there was Merle. Before there was ever Hitomi and Van's love ... there was Van and Merle's destiny.

In this story ... four years have passed in the land of Gaea. Four years ... and many things have changed. With the death of Folken ... Van was forced to move on without him. But, by the mercy of the gods ... Folken was reborn and found his way back to Fanelia. Van and many of Fanelia's counsel thought it was a curse that he was brought back and that it may bring about a bad omen. Van thought of no such thing and passed a new law ... that the rite of dragon slaying would no longer be needed ... and that the birthright would be all that was needed for Fanelia's king. Van stepped down as Prince once more ... happily given the throne to his older brother Folken ... for he proved a far better king then Van thought of himself. Within the four years, Folken and Van both helped in making their reborn Fanelia flourish again.

Allen Schzar remained a Knight of Calei and was overjoyed to find his beloved sister Celena, after finding out that she was used as an experiment by the sorcerers of Zaibach ... an experiment which housed the being known as Dilandau. Allen and Celena have remained as close as ever. Within the passing four years, Allen has found a new home in Fanelia, and has chosen to stay as a Knight of Calei under the Fanelia empire. Celena in that time became a ambassador and traveled around the world helping those in need and speaking in political arangements. Allen couldn't be happier for her, as they keep in touch often. Allen has grown more yet his beauty has remained the same. He still has his loyal band of men who also have put themselves under as Fanelia's army and now call Fanelia home. He now works happily under Folken and Van and swears to protect Van no matter what.

Millerna had a heart undecided ... and a marriage turned down by Dryden. He wanted to be the man that she deserved ... the man she could love because he loved her so much. Two years after Hitomi returned home, Millerna and Dryden found each other again. Dryden had helped out others in need ... became a merchant as he had proclaimed and confessed to her ... and Millerna found herself more then overjoyed to see Dryden again. Two months after they had been reunited by chance, Millerna was the one who proposed this time ... and two months after that ... they were married. Millerna's father had passed away, leaving Dryden to be King in his place. Since then, they have been living happily as husband and wife.

Many new things have happened ... many new things have changed ... except one thing.

Merle to this day has never left Van's side. Her loyalty surpasses even the most loyal army to its king. Van is now twenty two ... and Merle is now eighteen. She has matured in look as well as some of her personality and has grown quite beautiful ... unbeknowst to Van. Still close, perhaps closer then ever now that Hitomi has remained home, Merle and Van spend every waking moment together. But how much longer will Merle be able to hold out on her feelings? Will she ever find the courage? Will Van ever see Merle for the woman she has become ... or is she forever "cursed" as just family?

A story spanning more then twenty chapters ... prepare thyself ... for the story of true destiny ... a destiny unbeknownst to anybody. A destiny made by the power and love of the human heart.

This is a story of love.

This ... is their story.

"Kamui Shido"