Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, nothing more to say.

Forgotten by Destiny

By Ryoko Porter

Part Fourteen

King Van had been gone for over a week, out renewing the peace treaties from after the war. Allen would be joining him as he visited ally countries, in hopes of keeping them that way. And even more hopefully, making new allies also.

This left Hitomi to stay and care for the kingdom of Fanalia. There wasn't much to do however, so she spent her time with Loretta – who she still called Kotori as Van called her Merle. The two enjoyed the summer days in the garden, picnicking and playing amongst the flowers.

It had been weeks since the incident involving Merle, and Hitomi hadn't even seen Namir since. She held no ill will for the two; it had been the stress that had made her act out as she did before Loretta had since revealed her wings many times, getting great pleasure from the spectacle of them.

Their peace was interrupted though, by the sounds of Namir talking incessantly about something, to someone. Then out of the tall grasses came the two cats, Namir pulling on her mother's hand.

As the children busied themselves with a hand game, the two women sat uncomfortably together. Tea was shared as they watched their children enjoy each other's company. Hitomi could certainly see affection the two children seemed to have for their sibling, making her happy and sad at the same time.

Looking over at Merle, Hitomi began to notice the role switching they had done. The two of them had always been polar opposites, their only tying factor being Van. When Hitomi had first come to Gaia, she offered – unaware at the time – change, mystery, and adventure. She had been a curiosity, one that had seduced two men. But Merle had represented stability, family, and home. Things that just couldn't compare to her to a fifteen-year-old boy. Now though, it was she that offered home and duty. And Merle represented adventure. The only problem for Merle was that there was little romance in her offered adventure.

'She's always wanted a sibling,' Merle said almost suddenly, as she watched the two children. 'I didn't want to come back here,' she referred to Fanalia. 'I didn't think that I could take it, seeing you and Van-sama happily together. That was the whole reason I left. I knew that Van would choose you, and I couldn't bare the thought of having to witness it again. I never abandoned him though, if he had really wanted to find me, he could've. That was why I went into bondage.' Tears started to fall from her eyes as she laughed bitterly, looking into the sky as if searching for answers. 'I was just fooling myself; he never wanted to find me. I suffered that pain for nothing.'

'Van is happy that you're here. But it hurts him to see what's happened to you.' Hitomi told the girl.

'Well I'll be out of your hair soon enough. I'm only here to see that my daughter gets the father that she's always wanted. Then I'll be gone from here.' Merle said with conviction that made Hitomi slightly worried. 'I'll be keeping your gem though,' she played with the red jewel around her neck. 'You've already torn apart my life, I won't let you make it a waist.'

The two spent the rest of their time together in silence.

End Part 14.