Just a simple reminder, I don't own any of Escaflowne, just the characters that I introduce. ;)
Chapter 4: The Ties That BindHitomi sat up looking straight into Van's eyes. Looking at her sent so many thoughts and emotions swirling through him that he didn't even know where to begin. He could see her beautiful lips in the moonlight and wanted to get close, but held back. Not being able to sit there much longer Hitomi flung her arms around Van's neck.
"Oh Van it's you! It is really you." Hitomi buried her head in between Van's neck and shoulder. Van wrapped his own arms around her and held her close together.
"Hitomi, I thought that I would never see you again," he whispered into her hair.
Hitomi's head shot up from her nestling spot. 'Did I hear him right? He missed me?'
Van and Hitomi stayed staring into each other's eyes with arms around each other not knowing what to say. It was the cracking of a few twigs that brought them out of the staring contest. Not too far away from them Allen stood with the little girl slung over one of his shoulders.
"Allen what did you do to her?" Van stood up offering a hand to Hitomi. Hitomi grasped his hand and even after she was standing she didn't want to let go fearing that if she did that the wonderful dream would fade.
"Lady Hitomi!" Allen flashed her a broad smile.
"A-Allen." Hitomi stuttered.
"So what happen to her?" Van asked impatiently.
Allen shifted the girl so that she was almost cradled in his arms. "She had fallen over with exhaustion because when I found her she was just sprawled out on the ground."
"Who is she?" ask Hitomi moving closer to Allen to look at the sleeping little girl.
"We don't know," said Van, "We just found her crying in the forest just before you got here."
"I think that it would be a wise idea if we headed back to the castle for the night."
Hitomi picked up her fallen bag and the three of them walked over to the riding beasts. Hitomi followed behind Van still holding his hand afraid that the darkness around them would swallow them up. Van gave her a reassuring squease and lead her onward towards the riding beasts. Reaching the sleeping beasts they had to be woken up a bit before they climbed on top of the beasts. Van easily got on to his riding beast offering a hand up for Hitomi. Grabbing his hand he easily pulled her up on the saddle just behind himself. Hitomi hugged Van from behind to stay on the beast. Allen easily mounted his riding beast with the girl held to one side. He shifted her so that she was riding one of legs as he held her close to his chest. The small group made their way to Fanelia and by the time they entered her gates the moon was just barely setting and the sky began changing to lighter shade of blue. Both men were quiet around the stables as both women were asleep as they put their beasts into their stalls.
"Where would you like this little one to go?" whispered Allen as he held the little girl in his arms. Van had taken Hitomi off of the riding beast and held her bridal style as she let her arms dangle around his neck.
"Why don't we put them into the same room." Van carried Hitomi inside the castle with Allen in tow. He chose the guest bedroom across the hall from his own personal room. There was a tall four-poster canopy bed with silk bed coverings with sheer white drapes around the sides. Using Hitomi's body to open the curtains, Van gently laid her down and pulled the sheets above Hitomi's shoulders lightly tucking her in then placed her duffle bag at the foot of the bed. Allen laid the little girl down on the sitting couch and placed a spare blanket over her. The two men quietly left the room and Van locked the door behind them.
"Why did you lock the door?" questioned Allen.
"If that little girl wakes up in the middle of the night she might try to escape and then she'll be lost in the castle. At least with Hitomi there she won't be too frightened."
"I would leave a note for Hitomi, she might not be too happy when she finds out the door is lock on her." pointed Allen.
Van nodded and left to write the note.
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Lady Serra gazed over at the younger man waiting for him to finish his glass of wine. Gatti set down his glass on the servant's waiting tray and looked over at the lady who sent chills down his spine.
"So when will the kidnapping take place?" she asked in a quiet tone that demanded respect.
"We will be commencing with the operation within two days."
"The same day as I am at the ball in Fanelia. Perfect, no one will suspect me then." Lady Serra let a menacing smile grace her ruby red lips.
"Will your host be ready for the transfer by then?" asked Gatti.
The smile faded from her face, "He will be ready whether or not he is willing. I am happy that we finally got the information from Astoria on Zaibach because I don't think that I could have waited any longer for you to torture the prisoner and gain the information we needed. We need to act fast if we want to stop the chaos that is happening. I can't stand weak rulers like the king of Astoria deciding the fate of all of Gaea. He should have let Dornkirk live out his dream and then Gaea would be at peace under the rule of a great man. Yet it seems that only the weak are allowed to rule and I must have the draconians weapon to prove that I am strong enough to rule over all of Gaea.
"Enough of this kind of talk tonight. You need to prepare the other Dragon Slayers and leave in the morning to be in position so you can kidnap Celena Schezar. I'm going to go check on my two favorite prisoners."
Gatti bowed low as Lady Serra left the room through the east side doors to the dungeons. Only a few torches lighted the dark passageways leaving room for the menacing shadows. Before entering the prisoner cells there was a guardhouse that all Lady Serra had to do was walk through and no one protested her presence. She twisted down long hallways until she came to her destination. She stopped at a cell that held only one prisoner, a young man nearing the age of twenty. He sat in a far corner; his black hair was draped over his shoulders messy from the neglect of a decent bath. He wore brown leather pants and a neutral cotton shirt that just barely kept out the cold with the thin blanket around his shoulders. The entire place smelled rank from the mold and moss. The only thing inside the cell besides the young man was a pallet of straw that was in the other corner.
"Good evening Tyrune." said the lady venomously.
The young man looked up, his face was devoid of emotion, clear blue eyes gazed at the woman, "What is so good about it?"
Lady Serra adopted a false look of hurt, "Why Tyrune, that is no way to greet your mother."
Tyrune's mouth twisted into a scowl, "What kind of mother puts her own son in a prison cell for a year!"
Lady Serra let a smile play on her tight lips, "You will become the son I have wanted soon enough."
Tyrune gave her a puzzled look, "Haven't I always tried to be the son you wanted, to rule Kasher as father-"
"Your father was a weak man and so are you!" she snapped. "The only brave thing your father did was to fight in the Zaibach army and die in battle."
Tyrune let his head hang down to his chest. Lady Serra went over to the bars of the cell grasping them in her hands. "Soon you will be better."
Leaving the cell she walked a bit further to another cell.
"So how is the infamous Folken doing, hum?" said Lady Serra coyly.
Folken walked over to the bars of his cell, but was stopped by the chains that had him locked up to the far wall. He was bare-chested which revealed more metal parts attached to his torso along with the metal arm. The rest of his features remained the same besides the filth that covered them. Disgust flowed through is body and Falcon could barely contain the rage that was building inside.
"Let me go!" came his cracked voice.
Lady Serra gave a little chuckle then clucked her tongue, "Now you say that every night and I would think that after three years your pride would dwindle, but I see that the royal Fanelia bloodline is a strong one. Too bad I didn't have a daughter to offer as a bride to your brother."
"Leave my brother alone." Falcon growled.
"Oh that's right, your weak spot," Lady Serra gave another little chuckle, "Well, I'll be seeing your brother soon enough. If you really wanted out of that cell all you have to do is translate Dornkirk's writing. We gave you a new arm and yet you still don't help. If you did then you can join your brother, just before I attack Fanelia and take control than you two can be cell mates."
Folken strained against the chains as Lady Serra turned to leave the dungeons. When she was out of sight, Falcon let himself fall to the ground.
"I'm sorry Van, I can't be there to protect you." a single tear slid down his cheek.
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Golden light from the early morning sun came through the window in Hitomi's room tickling her eyes awake. Hitomi was about to turn over away from the offensive light when she felt the silkiness of the covers underneath her. 'Is this another dream? Did last night really happen?' Slowly opening her eyes Hitomi was rewarded to find that she was not dreaming. She was lying in a queen-sized bed with periwinkle blue silk blankets and coverings. There were sheer white drapes that were closed around her along with a number of pillows behind her. Moving out of the bubble of the bed Hitomi went over to the door and was greeted with a message half under the door. Opening the piece of paper she noticed something must have been written on it, but didn't understand the writing. She reached for the doorknob and tried to turn the handle and found it locked.
"So you are trapped here too?" said a little voice.
Hitomi turned around to see the little girl sitting on the couch. The matching dark wood and periwinkle fabric contrasted against the girl's fair skin and white blond hair. She sat with her knees pulled up to her chest and one of the blankets from the bed wrapped around her shoulders. Hitomi walked over to the little girl and sat on the opposite side of couch.
"I'm sure there is a reason why the door is locked, most likely so we don't get lost in the palace or at least that is where I think we are. Don't worry the two men last night were only trying to help."
"Like the two men that hurt my mommy and daddy last night."
Hitomi's face gave a little of a puzzled look, but changed to one of concern as the little girl started crying. Scooting closer to the girl, Hitomi place an arm around her shoulders.
"What happened to your parents?"
The little girl gave a sniff before she continued; "We were traveling to Fanelia for business as potion makers. These men came from the trees and ran at us. They caught up to the wagon and threw my mommy and daddy out of the cart. I was hiding behind some boxes and they didn't see me. I heard my mommy scream out to my daddy and then they were both quiet."
Hitomi gave a shudder knowing what had happen to her parents when the little girl didn't. Then she continued, "I ran out of the cart and the men started chasing after me. I ran until I found a big tree to hide under, they ran past me. I got scared when the sun went down and I remember hearing something awful scream out. It scared me so I stayed under the tree then two men found me and I ran again. They tried to hold me, but I wouldn't let them.
The little girl had balled up her fists that were in her lap, "I wiggled out of one of the man's grasp and ran again. I remember tripping over something and then ending up here. Do you know where my mommy and daddy might be?"
The little girl looked up at Hitomi with green eyes bright with tears. Hitomi didn't know what to tell her, "I'm not sure."
Tears began pouring down the little girl's face, "I just want my mommy and daddy and go home."
Hitomi pulled the little girl into her lap and held her tightly to her chest as she cried out for her parents. A click from the door alerted Hitomi that someone was unlocking the door. Looking over to the door Van stepped inside quietly and shut the door behind him nodding to someone in the hall. Hitomi smiled to him as he neared the two girls kneeling behind the little girl.
"Hello little one, what is your name?" Van said in a very gentle voice.
The little girl's sobs subsided into hiccups and she turned her dirty tear streaked face towards Van. Her tiny voice was barely heard when she talked to Van. "Ilya."
"Well, Ilya, my name is Van Fanel. I am going to make it my mission to find those robbers who took away your parents. Are you hungry?"
Ilya nodded looking at Van with her red-rimmed eyes.
Van turned towards the door, "Tris." The maid entered the room standing inside the doorframe. "Can you take Miss Ilya to the kitchen and then to the washroom for a bath and have someone give her a pair of new clothes."
"Yes, your highness. Come Miss Ilya." Tris held out a hand for the little girl.
Ilya looked up at Hitomi who nodded her head to the little girl. Hopping off Hitomi's lap, Ilya went over to Tris and took her hand leaving Van and Hitomi alone in the room.
"How did you know what happen?" questioned Hitomi.
Van stood up a bit awkwardly and held out a hand to help Hitomi up. "I was listening outside the door."
Grasping his hand Hitomi let Van pull her upright. Standing so close to one another Van couldn't find words that he wanted to say so instead he took a step back.
"Did you sleep well last night, Hitomi?"
Hitomi looked confused for a few moments, but tried to push the feeling aside. "Yes, this room is gorgeous."
Van smiled, "It is suppose to be used for my lady in waiting."
Hitomi felt heat rise to her cheeks, "Oh, so is anyone in this room."
"Not right now." Van tried to hide his own blush that was creeping along his face, "You must be hungry too, or would you like to take a bath first?"
Hitomi looked down at herself realizing how much dirt was all over her body from the fall in the forest and that she was still in the cloths she wore yesterday.
"I think that a bath is in order first then to breakfast. Do you think there is anyone who would be able to loan me some clothes for right now? I don't think I brought anything that would be suitable for the palace."
"I'll have the maids bring in a bath and hot water along with some clothes." Said Van.
"Thank you, Van."
Van looked as if he was about to say something, but stopped himself. "I'll see you in a little bit then." Van walked out of the door shutting it behind himself.
"Way to go Hitomi, he was a few feet away from your face and you said nothing." Hitomi muttered to herself. It was less than a minute before a couple of maids came in with a tub and hot water. One of them placed a dress across the bed.
"Does this dress suit you mistress?"
"Um, yes." Hitomi had to clear her throat from the last comment.
"If you need any help getting into the dress just knock at the door and someone will be there waiting."
"Thank you."
The maids left leaving Hitomi alone to get herself ready. Shampoos and towels were left next to the tub as the water let off a little bit of steam. Gingerly stepping in Hitomi let the heat soak into her skin. Reaching for a bottle, Hitomi unscrewed the cap and smelt the flowery shampoo finding it so different from the shampoo at home. After the bath she used one of the fluffy towels to dry and wrap her hair while using another to put around her body. Moving over to her duffle bag, Hitomi searched for her brush finally finding it hidden at the bottom along with a small hand mirror. As she brushed her hair sitting on the couch all she had on her mind was Van. The way he was so gentle with Ilya, how much he had changed physically, and even his voice seemed to sink a little bit lower, along with the way his lips parted saying her name. Hitomi sighed 'well, if anything is going to happen I may have to be the first one to make a move. At least he doesn't have anyone yet, I think.'
Deciding that she had already spent too much time getting ready Hitomi went to go put on the dress. It was a simple two-piece dress in soft, lightweight, sky blue fabric. The skirt had silver embroidery and tiny clear glass beads at the hem while the top had a few beads sewn on the neckline. The top was sleeveless for the summer weather as the thick straps hugged her shoulders leaving her collarbone exposed as the bottom of the top pointed down like a corset. Hitomi wished that she had a larger mirror in her room to see how the dress fit over all loving the feel of the material. 'I'll let Van decide' she thought mischievously.
She slipped on the matching soft leather shoes before exiting the room in search of the kitchens. After a few turns down various hallways, she began to feel lost. Out of the windows she saw the gardens. Recognizing them from her last visit Hitomi decided to go outside. The smell of the flowering trees, the beautiful colors of the flowerbeds with dew drops still clinging to the soft petals and birds singing in the mid-morning sun made the garden seem enchanted. Sitting down on a bench Hitomi took in a few moments to relax before she tried another venture through the palace again.
Van was searching frantically around the corridors for Hitomi. When he went to knock on the door the maids were cleaning up her bath and said that she had not been there for a while. Worried that she had gotten herself lost Van hastily made his way through his palace. Coming up to the gardens Van stopped himself short. Looking out the garden doors he spotted Hitomi on a bench underneath one of the flowering trees. The sight took Van's breath away as he numbly walked over to her. Her golden hair caught the rising sun giving her a sort of aura while the blue in dress brought out the color of her eyes. Seeing Van walk over to her in his trace brought a smile to Hitomi. It was when he caught her smiling at him that Van broke out of his trance.
"Have you gone to breakfast yet?"
"I sort of got lost trying to get there myself." Hitomi lower her head as she felt the heat in Van's gaze. She stood up abruptly and turned to walk towards the door. Forgetting that she was in a long skirt she tripped on the hem and felt herself begin to fall. However she only fell a few inches before a strong pair of arms caught her. Looking up Hitomi was face to face with Van as his arms held her close. Pulling her into a close embrace Van didn't want to let her go.
"Van." Hitomi whispered.
Van feared that he had overstepped a boundary and began to let go over her, but Hitomi wouldn't have it. She hugged him closer washing Van in flood of emotions.
"I've missed you."
Still holding tight to the dream he felt in his arms, Van moved his head so he could look into her eyes. A slight mist had glazed over her blue eyes as Hitomi fought to not cry. Van took one hand and gently stroked her cheek. Her eyes closed with a smile sighing deeply loving the touch of Van's hand.
"Hitomi, I have missed you so much. I have wanted to see you since the day you left Gaea. Hitomi, I-"
A shriek from the palace garden's door made the couple turn.
"Hitomi!" screeched Merle as she bolted from the stairs to Hitomi knocking her out of Van's embrace and nearly on to the ground.
"Merle!" said Hitomi excitedly.
"I have so much to tell you-" started Merle, but was cut off by a wave a Van's hand.
"Merle, how about we go to the kitchen so Hitomi can get something to eat." He chuckled. Hitomi loved the sound of his laugh and how deep his own voice had gotten, though she could still hear the young man in him.
"Come on Hitomi lets go!" Merle pulled Hitomi by the arm leading her back inside through the castle.
Well, I hope this will satisfy the fans for the long break. Reviews, please?
EmpKaylenatye