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

Forgotten by Destiny

By Ryoko Porter

Part Eighteen

The morning after Van had talked to Hitomi, he went to see Merle. He arrived at her home, prepared for what he thought would be the worst. He knew that she would be unhappy that he'd decided not to officially name their daughter; she had every right to be.

Sitting at the table as Namir played outside, Van explained his reasoning. At first Merle was perfectly calm as she listened, though he realized that it wasn't the sort of calm that he could wish for. When he stopped talking, Merle stayed calm as she stood to look out the door at her unnamed child.

'Honey!' she called to her daughter who came to find out what her mother wanted. 'How about you catch us a few fish for lunch?' Merle suggested. Namir immediately agreed and started to run off. 'Oh and dear,' the girl turned back again. 'I love you.'

'I love you too mommy.'

When the girl was out of sight, Merle changed her smile back into a frown. She was still uncomfortably calm as she turned back to Van, coming back to stand next to the table he was sitting at. She stared long and hard at her love, much like she wanted to make him suddenly burn into ashes.

Van couldn't take looking into the accusing eyes any longer, and turned his face away from her. This was a huge mistake, as she suddenly grabbed the edge of the table and flipped it away from them. Without the obstacle between them, Merle was able to move within inches of his face. She held him down with her surprising strength by the shoulders, staring straight into his eyes.

They stayed that way for a long while; it could've been as long as an hour, though Van wasn't sure. He was sure that she could see all of his regret, as she looked into his eyes, as he saw all of her heartbreak in hers.

Just as suddenly as Merle had thrown the table, she took her focus off of Van. Standing up straight, she moved away from him slightly. He watched as she used her claw to cut a braid of her hair. It had the tie that held a couple white feathers in her hair. Taking one of the feathers for herself, she gave the rest to Van. She then turned back to the door and left her home without looking back.

Van followed her, clutching the hair in his hand. She walked in the opposite direction of the ponds, heading for the back exit to the castle grounds. Van wanted to say something, though he had no idea what. So he simply continued to follow.

They were surprised at the back gate, by Hitomi who stood waiting. Merle stopped in surprise, looking at her rival in apprehension. Hitomi looked surprised also, having expected to see the girl along with Merle. She walked slowly up to the cat woman, bowing her head sadly.

'I am sorry, but I had to think of my daughter first. You understand that don't you?' Hitomi asked, her head still bowed in respect.

Merle looked at her for a few long moments before she replied. 'I do,' she answered solemnly.

Hitomi raised her head to look at her rival. She was not expecting the backhanded slap that she got.

End Part 18.