A/N: Thank you for those who are reviewing my fan fiction, I really appreciate it! And keep reviewing, it will make me want to put more of the story out! Again, I don't own Escaflowne or any part of it, but there will be future characters that do belong to me.(I thought that I would throw that in, hee hee)

Chapter 2: The Start of Rumors

It was a few hours after Van had been startled awake by the strange vision when he decided that it was time to wake up. The sky outside was clear with a few purplish-pink clouds. Going into his bathroom he found buckets of hot water waiting for him to be put into his tub. Filling the tub Van gingerly stepped in welcoming the heat and quickly cleaned himself. After drying off he donned a pair of black pants and a white shirt that the sleeves were very billowy and the cuffs were buttoned at his wrists the front of the shirt was tied at the neck. He decided against wearing a vest for the day and simply put on his knee length black boots. Van looked at himself in the floor length mirror in his room. He had gained a little bit of muscle over the past few years and it seemed as if he shoulders had become much broader with age. His hair was cut a little bit shorter, much like how Folken's hair had been when he was younger. He grabbed his father's sword and strapped it to his hip.

Walking out of his room he headed to the main kitchen. Knowing that the morning staff would just be starting. His favorite baker was pulling out a tray of hot bread loafs as he walked into the room. The baker's dark brown hair was an unruly curly mop on his hair and he wore the same brown and blue servant cloths as everyone else who worked in the palace, though it looked strange on the large man.

"Oh, good morning King." He said when he saw Van standing in the door.

Van tried to argue. "Now don't you start this argument again"

"But my lord if I didn't say your proper title-"

"I know, you would lashed. Thank you for reminding me that I need to change that law, Vabrin."

Vabrin quickly prepared a tray of cheeses and meats along with some pieces of the freshly made bread.

"What would you like to drink my lord, Van."

"Juice will be fine."

"Tris!" shouted Vabrin, Van figured that with a bellow like that all of Fanelia must have been woken up. A young girl dressed in the same brown and blue fabric with her brown hair tied into two ring braids came scurrying in.

"Yes, Vabrin?"

"Go get a pitcher of juice out of the cellar for Lord Van."

"Yes, Vabrin." Tris gave a quick curtsy as she passed by Van.

"Your going to scare the help away."

"Nonsense, it gives them the chance to build a little of a back bone my Lord."

Van stifled a chuckle, "And why would they need this?"

Vabrin turned a little somber," I saw too many workers freeze in the sight of the Dragon Slayers and die. I don't want to see that happen again."

"Well, that won't happen again. The people of Zaibach have long been dealt with."

Tris came back in with a full pitcher of berry juice. "Here you go my lord King."

She set the pitcher down on the table and placed a cup for him and just as she was about to pour the juice Van shooed her away.

"You have more important things to do than tend to me."

Tris curtsied and mumbled a thank you as she took out the some of the prepared food trays to other members of the house hold. Van made and ate a quick meal then ran out to the palace gardens. There waiting for him was Voris, a trusted sword teacher. He had bravely fought in the war against Zaibach and was honored when the king had asked him to come and train him, though he was badly injured. Some of his wounds still bothered him, but he ignored them. Voris was sitting on the grass meditating like he did every morning before Van showed up.

"Are you ready my lord?"

Van pulled out his sword with the tip facing Voris. Voris lunged forward without warning. Both Van and Voris fought hard until the sun was nearly high in the sky. Voris was sweating hard and it seemed that there was barely a glow on Van's face.

"I think its time for me to find a new sparing partner." Cheered Van as he pinned Voris for the twelfth time that morning.

"I would have to agree you highness." Came a voice from the garden entrance.

Van turned to the slightly arrogant voice. "Allen! I wasn't expecting you to show up. Where is the Crusade?" Van held out his hand and Allen shook it.

"It is outside of the city. I didn't want to disturb the towns people. Van, we need to talk." Allen started walking towards the palace.

"Voris I will be in the palace, hold the meetings until later in the afternoon. Oh, and remind me I need to change the noble addressing law."

"Yes, lord Van."

Van and Allen left Voris in the gardens as they walked into the place. It didn't take much for Van to notice Allen's troubled state of mind.

"What's wrong Allen this must be something serious to take away the smile from your face."

Allen paused for a moment. "Is there a place where we can talk in private?"

Van nodded and lead his guest into the sitting room next to his bed room. The sitting room was decorated in red velvet and dark wood. There were shelves all around the room covered in books, scrolls, and maps. Two couches faced each other with a heavily carved sitting table between them. Each of the men took a couch, Allen sat facing the window while Van faced the door to catch anyone that might be lurking outside.

"So what brought you to Fanelia, Allen. You rarely leave Freid or the Crusade and you showing up announced is very odd."

Allen stared out of the widow gazing down on Fanelia. "There are troubling reports coming to the post."

"Nothing about Zaibach I hope. I was told that all members who were anywhere near loyal were executed." Van held a face of revoltion reminded how the king of Astoria had handled the public executions.

"No, the last of the information we needed was given and now we have full access to their systems found on their flying ships." Allen gave a barely visible shutter, "No, it is other reports, though many of my men think that they are just rumors. It seems that the dragons have been flying out of the forest lately."

"Well, dragons do fly Allen." Van gave the older man a strange look.

"It's not that, the dragons are flying in pairs."

"Dragons never fly in pairs, they would rather kill eachother unless if they are mating and they never stay around long."

Allen looked Van directly into his eyes, "That's why I'm telling you this."

"And I have a feeling that you don't take this as a rumor."

"Not with the reports also about the people of Kasher in the mountains."

"What are they up to?"

"Apparently the king of Astoria gave some information to them from the files of Zaibach for some trading goods. Now no one seems to be able to get a hold of them."

"The people of Kasher have always been a very shut off country. Why would they want information from Zaibach?"

"Well, when Zaibach had them under their rule they were the ones to build their machines because of the mining and engineering capabilities."

Van contemplated this information. Looking over at the door he noticed that some of the light was being blocked. Making a silent gesture over to Allen he crept over to the door. Allen started talking about nonsense as Van got closer. When he was within reach of the door Van quickly grabbed the handle letting the door fly open as Allen stood up in a battle ready stance, sword drawn. A ball of fur and silk came tumbling into the room.

"Merle."

Merle looked up at Van. She was wearing a pink dress like she had always worn, but now much longer and a hole was cut out for her tail. Her pink hair had been cut to match what Hitomi had when she was last on Gaea and now fell across her shame filled eyse for being caught.

"Oh, hi Van! Hi Allen!" Merle looked over the knight as he put away his sword.

"Merle. How many times have I told you not to be sneaking around like this. You should be out at court."

"Oh, there is nothing but gossiping women who spread dumb rumors and lies."

Van sighed, "Merle how much did you hear?"

Merle kicked the floor, her tail twitching nervously.

"Merle." Van said in a stern voice.

"Everything since you shut the door." Mumbled Merle.

"You can't tell anyone of this Merle."

Allen looked up, "So do you believe me Van."

"I think that you and I are going to go on a hunting trip to see if there is anything to this rumor."

"Oh are you going to look for dragons!" Merle cheered.

"Merle." Van said in a warning tone.

"You should head back to court Merle with the other ladies. Maybe when I am here again I will bring Selena."

Merle perked up a little bit, nodded and left the room giving Van a quick hug.

"I'm sorry about that Allen."

"No need to apologize, your highness."

"Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that!"

Van was finally able to coax a smile out of his friend.

"There is something else on your mind."

"You have grown very wise Van, something very becoming in a king."

Now it was Van's turn to gaze out of the window.

"Seeing how badly my people needed a good king turned me into one. Rebuilding Fanelia after Zaibach's attack has been a wonderful rebirth for them. So, I better understand how others feel and I know that something is troubling you."

Allen walked back over to his couch and ran a hand through his long blonde hair. "It's Selena. We have been having problems completely converting her from the alternate form that Zaibach had put her through. There are days when we are so close and then there are the days that I feel as if I am in battle with Dil-." Allen fell momentarily silent, his hands were two tight fists in his lap, "None of the scientists can figure out the problem and the only thing they can think of I won't let them do."

"What?"

"Mind separation. It is where they take the memories out of her of Dilandau and place them inside a vacant body. There is just too much risk of trusting these theories for me to believe that it will work."

"But Allen, you believe the rumors about the dragons is true. Then you have some hope in blind theories or rumors."

Allen sat for a while dumfounded by the statement. "I suppose your right."

Van turned away from the window to the door. "I'm sure that whatever you decide to do Selene will be in safe hands, but lets get off of this subject. I have a feeling that the chief will have lunch waiting for us in the main dinning room."

Van ushered Allen out of the room both talking about politics and other events that had happened since the last time they had seen each other.

Yes! Another chapter! Sorry for the long wait, but I work serious from the moment I wake up till the moment I go to sleep so I don't have much time on a computer. Also I decided to break this chapter up so don't worry with it being a little slow right now. Again REVIEW PLEASE! I felt so loved with the few reviews that it would be awesome if I could get more. Oh and for those who are wondering, yes this is a Hitomi and Van pairing, with other to come! And if you want to know what I am talking about with Van's hair style I can send you a picture of what I have going on in my mind.