Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne, nothing more to say.
Forgotten by Destiny
By Ryoko Porter
Part Fifteen
Van hadn't slept properly since he'd left for this 'peace trip'. Everything was going according to plan, which had he not been to bothered with his family troubles, would've taken a lot of his stress. Countries were agreeing to the continued peace, while bringing their allies into the deal. All of it creating a strong alliance of countries.
He'd been glad that Allen was there, but not for political reasons. The 'ladies man' had listened to his troubles with understanding and pity, and considered the matter with great deliberation. Finally a week after he'd first told the knight of his troubles, he'd gotten an answer of what he should do. Allen told him that at very least he should give his daughter a name, which he was positive, would settle things quite a bit. Hitomi couldn't deny that an innocent child needed a name, nor should it hurt her. And it would give Merle great relief, and the child happiness.
Unfortunately Allen's 'perfect advice', had one great fault to it. By tradition and law in his country, naming the child would put her in line for the crown… before Loretta. Of course he could change the law, but he had to put a lot of consideration into it first.
So he spent the nights worried and pacing his room. Worrying over the fate of his family, both of them. How would he appease the woman he loved, while giving the woman who loved him some comfort?
It was early morning and still he was unable to sleep. He was sitting in window seat of the room he was given for his stay in the country he was visiting. His head rested on the windowpane as he lazily looked out.
'This is why people should not go into other worlds; they will always indivertibly do great damage,' a woman said from where he couldn't see. 'You know that Hitomi stole Merle's destiny, even if she didn't intend to. You know that it could've been Merle alone, who you returned home to. That you could've loved her as much as you love Hitomi now.'
'Not for a long time now,' Van pointed out.
'But you feel guilt and pity.'
'That isn't love!' Van growled in frustration, turning sharply to the woman. He was amazed to see the form of his mother standing there, with her wings folded behind her. 'This is a dream,' he observed.
'It is.'
'Then I'm simply telling myself stuff I already know.'
'Yes,' she answered, looking at him with pity. 'You want to love her, some part of you is fighting to return to the original fate for the two of you.'
'I wish none of this had happened.'
'Part of you does,' Vari confirmed.
'What should I do?' he asked desperately.
'I don't know.'
End Part 15.