A/N: Thanks for the wonderful reviews! Also for those who are checking my mistakes, I feel better if I know that I don't look like a dork if I can correct something soon enough AKA-Dark-sephiroth2 (you are my hero!) Now to the story, and just to remind people I don't own any Escaflowne.

Chapter 5: Complicated Questions Simple Answers

Hitomi picked at the remaining food on her plate while Merle chattered endlessly about events in Fanelia that had happened while Hitomi was gone. Vabrin had heaped her plate with different foods saying she looked too thin when Merle had blurted out that Hitomi was from the Mystic Moon, the remark earned her a hard glare from Van. Vabrin was momentarily taken aback but a look from Van told him that was classified information. Even though Hitomi responded to Merle's conversation her thoughts were drifting to the handsome man sitting next to her. 'He looks so different now' Hitomi's eyes flicked over towards Van catching a brief look of the well matured man. He sat lazily in his chair not upright like Hitomi would have expected of the king, but maybe since he was in friendly company he was trying to loosen up and not seem so stiff. He wore a similar outfit today except for he also wore a black vest with gold trimming.

"Oh and the ball tomorrow is going to be the best especially since you are going to be here, you are staying now right?" Merle's question had finally brought Hitomi from her love trance.

"Yeah, I guess I'll be here for while. Or at least until I figure out what is going on with the dragons."

"Dragons on the Mystic Moon, why are they there?" questioned Van.

Hitomi shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. They just suddenly appeared and someone else spotted them besides my friends and I. Why?"

Van rubbed his chin in thought.

"What is it Van?" asked Hitomi again.

"Oh, there have been these strange rumors going around about dragons flying in pairs." Answered Merle.

"It's not a rumor Merle. I saw it happen last night before Hitomi showed up." Said Van.

"I saw them doing the same thing on Earth."

Van leaned forward placing his hands on the table, "You saw dragons flying in pairs on the Mystic Moon."

Hitomi nodded her head. Van quickly stood up.

"Excuse me I have to go talk to my advisors." Van made a hasty exit out of the kitchen, leaving Hitomi staring at the door where he exited.

"Hitomi?"

Hitomi shook her head, "It's nothing Merle."

"Ok," Merle gave a huge grin, "Well, if you are going to be here for the ball you need a gown for the evening. We better get over to the seamstress other wise she may not have enough time."

Merle pulled Hitomi out of her chair and they started for the market of Fanelia. Merle chatted away about the new people constantly moving into Fanelia. Hitomi couldn't believe how many new merchants there were. Each one had a different wear to sell and as Merle dragged her through the alleyways she was able to take in all the vibrant sights and sounds. When they reached their destination Merle ushered Hitomi inside a door. Two walls were covered in different fabrics in multiple colors. Three changing screens were set up along with a few wire dummies. A pudgy lady sat on a stool pinning a chocolate brown dress around the sides on another dummy. The lady looked up from her handiwork and gave a broad grin to her guests.

"Why hello Merle! Who is your friend?"

"This is Hitomi, she needs a gown for tomorrow's ball as well. Do you think that you will be able to get one done in time?"

"I only have your dress to finish for right now, so yes. I'll go grab my books."

The lady waddled over to a shelf that had a few books on it along with other sewing materials and pulled off two thicker books. Taking them over to a table the lady waved a hand for the girls to join her.

"Well, pick out a dress and then you can pick out the material."

After a few pondering minutes as to what would look the best Hitomi picked out a dress. The lady then advised her as they picked out the best material for the dress. Then she had Hitomi stand on a short stool and took measurements. After thanking the lady the two women left the shop and were back at the palace around lunchtime.

"Merle it is such a lovely day, why don't we eat outside, "said Hitomi as they walked up the palace steps.

"Sure I'll go tell Vabrin to make us something. Oh, and I'll find the little girl Ilya."

"How did you know about her?" Hitomi raised an eyebrow at Merle.

"I was listening outside the door with Van when both of you were talking." Merle said with out being embarrassed that she had been caught spying.

"Well, I'll go find Van and see if he would like to join us."

Both of the girls had passed into the front doors of the palace and were now standing in the stone hall.

"He is most likely in the main chamber with his advisors still, I swear they enjoy listening to themselves talk." Merle started down the hallway to the right.

"Merle." shouted Hitomi. "Which way is the main chamber?"

"Just follow the hallway to your let until you com to a room closed off by large red velvet curtains. You should be able to go into the meeting." Merle called out.

Hitomi did as Merle instructed and easily found the room. In front of her were columns of stone with curtains drawn shut keeping out the suns hot rays. Hitomi could hear muffled voices coming from the other side. She began pulling back a curtain when a particular voice shouted out stopping from entering the chamber.

"My Lord, you are going to end up with out an heir if you keep refusing other royal families offering their daughters for marriage."

"So we have taken the liberty and have all of them coming tomorrow for the ball." Said a very smug voice.

"How dare you!" burst Van.

"We are only looking out for you, your highness."

"I will choose who I wish!" finished Van.

Or so he thought. "Tradition requires that if you have not chosen a wife by your 19th birthday then it will be done by your advisors."

"Did my father have you breathing down his throat as well?"

Some of the advisors took in a harsh breath.

Hitomi listened as the people shifted uneasily around. Van thought quickly. Everyone wanted what was to be best financially wise, if they had had their way sooner they would have had him marry the widowed Baroness of Kasher. Van shuttered at the thought of the evil women.

"I have an idea for all of you, tomorrow night how about his highness picks out a lady in waiting from the guests. Will that satisfy you advisors?" asked a voice that Hitomi recognized as Allen's.

"As long as it is a member of royalty then we have no objections."

Hitomi's heart sank at the last statement, as did Van's. 'I'm not royalty! He can't pick me! How will I ever have the chance to be with him now?' Hitomi felt tears prickle the insides of her eyelids. Turning away from the conversation Hitomi had found that her feet had taken flight and was running through the halls managing to find her room in the maze. Allen watched as only one of the heavy velvet curtains swayed along with the light sound of running footsteps. When she reached her room tears streaked down both sides of Hitomi's face. Seeing the bed Hitomi flung herself on top of it burying her head into a pillow. Sobs racked her body as she cried out all of her frustrations.

Merle was wondering the halls with Ilya looking for Hitomi when they passed by her room and found the door ajar. From inside the room came Hitomi's cries.

"Hitomi?" Merle said in a whisper.

"Just go away." Came Hitomi's muffled voice from the pillow.

"What's wrong?" Merle pressed, she sat down on the edge of the bed close to Hitomi, Ilya stood in the doorway.

"Oh Merle, how could I have ever hoped that Van and I could be together?"

The statement took Merle aback since it was the first time that she had heard Hitomi say her feelings like this out loud. Suddenly Hitomi began telling Merle everything that she had heard from the meeting.

"He can't choose me I'm not royalty. I might as well, just give up and go home and figure this mess out there." Hitomi said with a few hiccups.

"No! You can't leave!" cried Ilya. The little girl dropped the basket of food on the floor and flung herself onto the bed, fiercely hugged Hitomi.

"She's right Hitomi. I have never seen you give up and if you go home now then there was really no reason for you to come back." Stated Merle.

Hitomi was shocked at how grown-up Merle sounded.

"Besides with Millerna coming with Dryden and Prince Chid we can figure out a plan. Dryden for sure should be able to help us, he has before."

"See Hitomi, you don't have to leave now." Said Ilya, her voice muffled from her face pressed into Hitomi's stomach.

Hitomi began to smooth Ilya's white blonde hair, "I won't leave, at least not until I figure out what is going on with the dragons."

"Good!" said a now enthusiastic Ilya.

After finalizing the details of ball tomorrow, the advisors left the room to let the servants enter to begin decorating the massive room. Van slumped down in his chair, 'I should have known that I could never have Hitomi. With this restriction there is no way I can ask her to be my lady in waiting! Why can't I just do what my father did!' Allen watched the battle within Van's eyes as he gazed at nothing.

"My lord Van."

Van looked up at Allen. Servants began to move the heavy velvet curtains aside to the pillars letting more sunlight come through then just the skylight above. A breeze came through the room moving around the still air.

"What is bothering you Van?" Allen asked although he already knew the answer.

Van just raised an eyebrow as if you say 'you know what'. Allen nodded in response.

"Well, I think we have a problem, we had a spy listening in on the conversation."

Van's heart clenched, "Not—"

Allen lowered his head as Van's heart began to squeeze tightly.

"We may be able to get this matter rearranged though." Allen said.

"How?" Van stood up from his counsel set and began to walk to the kitchens where he typically had his mid-day meal.

"Well, has anyone in the counsel seen Hitomi yet?"

"Only a few people have seen Hitomi. No one even remembers her besides a handful of people, but no one on the counsel does."

"Then we may still have a chance."

"Then explain." Van became slightly agitated.

"Isn't Dryden coming in with Princess Millerna and Prince Chid tonight?"

"Yes."

"Well, with Dryden vast knowledge he might be able to fabricate Hitomi's royal bloodlines and I'm sure that neither Princess Millerna or Prince Chid will object to the family ties. You will have no problem naming her your lady in waiting."

Van turned to Allen, "What an amazing plan!"

Allen put a hand on Van's shoulders, "Don't worry Van, I won't let Hitomi run away from you again. Both of you deserve to be happy."

"What brought you to that conclusion?"

"Do you remember the day on the bridge?"

Van nodded. "You are a wonderful friend to me and I want to make things right."

"Thank you Allen."

Gatti opened the door to the common room that all of the ex-Dragon Slayers shared. It was a simple room with a fireplace roaring in the corner. Seven over stuffed chairs were placed in a circle in the room. Gatti took the empty one.

"So what is the plan Gatti?" asked Viole.

"I still don't know why we have to do this." Said Ryuon.

"If we want Dilandou back I think that we should do what Lady Serra has asked us to do. Then we won't be a leaderless band of warriors that have no war left to fight." Answered Dalet hotly.

"So what does Lady Serra have planned." Re-questioned Chesta.

Gatti looked around the room to make sure that there would be no more outbursts, "Lady Serra has us going out tonight. She wants us to cause a few untraceable skirmishes. Tomorrow night we will do the kidnapping as I discussed with you last night."

"We should go get into our guimelifs (A/N: SP?) Said Guimel getting out of his chair.

The others nodded and walked out of the room. They passed by other living quarters until they got further down into the depths of the fort. Soon they were passing rooms where screams of torture were heard. One door was left open revealing racks of test tubes and vials holding different chemical substances along with scientists mixing up concoctions. On their way down Lady Serra was walking in another direction with a man dressed in soiled work clothes. The ex-Dragon Slayers saluted her and continued on as she gave them a curt nod.

"So you have found another pillar. It took you this long to finally find me." Lady Serra hissed.

"We have been cleaning it mistress. The inscriptions were caked in clay like dirt and almost turned to stone." The man's burly voice did not hide the uneasiness he felt walking next to the murderous woman.

"Do you have people working out the inscriptions?"

"As we are uncovering the text. The data from Pallas has most defiantly added in the transcription of this pillar as with the last."

"Good. Have you found anymore clues as to how the weapon works or of its location?"

"No."

Lady Serra scowled as they entered a vast chamber where people scrambled around large machines with screens. Two pillars stood on top of a giant circular stone slab that took up most of the room along with the machines. The pillars were twenty feet tall, nearly touching the ceiling, and with a statue carved on one side, each depicting a different emotion. One of statues was a woman crying holding a wounded warrior and seemed to give the impression that the statue wanted you to take away the sorrow that they felt. The second pillar had two children skipping around in some sort of game. The happiness that was felt from their smiles was infectious; Lady Serra had decided that she would stay away from that pillar. A team of researchers was standing around the pillar of sorrow taking notes of the inscriptions at the bottom.

"Tell me what you have found out." Commanded Lady Serra.

One of the researchers stood up from their work and came over to Lady Serra.

"Lady Serra, we are still trying to understand the riddle on this newest pillar. Yet we have translated the first set of texts from the pillar of happiness."

"What is it then!" said Lady Serra impatiently.

The researcher stuttered a moment before he continued, "The text says 'In happiness we can hear the children's laughter, joyous occasions brings us together.' Then it talked about the gateway again just like the mosaic that the pillars stand on."

Lady Serra looked under her feet at the mosaic and stared at the vivid picture of a man and a woman in a tight embrace with a pair of wings enfolding them. This is the first object that Lady Serra had come in contact with it. It was a strange day that her miners had found the stone slab, just before the downfall of Zaibach. She had spent many moons trying to figure out what the inscriptions meant, when she did all of the miners were putting in redoubled efforts. The pillar of happiness was found a year later and then they had just found the pillar of sorrow.

"Have you found out anything more about the 'key' that is mentioned on the mosaic?"

"No, nothing had been found about the key, but we do know that there is someone protecting it. Another part of the mosaic has been translated and it reads 'Guardians of the gate, watch the key to see it together.' It seems that there may be more than one piece to this key."

Lady Serra nodded her head, "Keep up the efforts, I am going to get ready for my travel to Fanelia.

OH! OH! What's going to happen! Well, review and I might feel more obliged to put out other chapter sooner! ;)