Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.

Pallium Fatum

By Ryoko Porter

Chapter Four Hospes

'All through man's history, there has been a competition between the safe and the adventurous; the fully informed and the to-be-informed; between the "pattern set for all men" and the glimmer of a gleam for men to follow.'

Harry A. Overstreet

Merle was so caught up in her worry and grief as she watched the spot where Van had disappeared, that she did not hear the three horses approach from behind. Nor did she hear the one of the riders demanding to know where Van had gone. She only became aware that she was not alone when one of the men picked her up and put her into the saddle in front of them.

'C'mon dear,' Balgus' gruff but gentle voice assured. 'Let's get you home, where you can wait.' The knight then ordered the other men to go home ahead of them, taking his own journey much slower so that Merle could have some peace. Balgus could feel the girl's body shake, as she seemed to be holding back tears, though he could not understand why. 'Why are you holding back Merle?'

'Because if I cry, it means that I've lost my faith in him. So I won't cry,' Merle answered very simply and with determination in her voice.

Balgus knew better than to argue with her, even if he had an argument.

♦♦♦♦♦

As the days turned into weeks with Van still gone, Merle seemed to be the only one to keep complete faith that he would return home in time. Or at least that was the impression she gave to the public. If servants asked her in the castle, or commoners in the city, she would always respond with a positive remark. She would tell of how he was probably on the trail of a mighty dragon at that very moment, and how she had complete faith that he would be home soon and claim his kingship over the land.

In private she was a mess of worry and anxiety. She barely slept or ate, spending most of her time in his lonely room. It wasn't that she didn't think he would come home that caused her such trepidation, more the feeling that something terrible would happen when he did finally return. Merle wasn't sure what kind of dreadful thing would come with him, but she knew that it would change everything in her life. But though she feared this coming change more than anything she'd feared ever before, she still was desperate for Van to come home.

It was already into the fourth week of Van's quest when Merle finally stepped up the order for her own small palace to be ready for his return. It was done quietly so that it would not create even more worry amongst the people of Fanalia. But there was no reason for her not to have a place for him to return to if he did indeed come home after the week was through. There were only five more days that he had before he'd willingly gave up his place in line for the crown.

♦♦♦♦♦

'You would've made a wonderful queen, Merle,' Balgus said gently to the girl as she sat quietly in the palace gardens. It was already noon on the last day that Van had to return, and there was no sign of him.

'But I didn't want to be queen,' Merle said.

'And that is what would've made you great! A good queen does what you've already spent your life doing; supporting their king politically, and more importantly emotionally. And these talents you mastered when you were only eight,' the old warrior supported.

Merle just smiled appreciatively with the slightest hint of blush on her cheeks. For a moment she thought about what Balgus had said, considering an answer that would tease him with a bit of her talent. 'I will make a good queen, won't I?'

Balgus couldn't help but laugh at the girl's coyness. And it was a pleasant realization that she still had so much faith in the boy that would be king; the boy that she loved. It was like she'd fed him a wonderful breath of fresh air, with her show of complete faith. For all of the last month he'd never felt so positive that Van would return in time. Even with only twelve hours left, it felt to Balgus that Van had an eternity before he needed to be home. And the old warrior couldn't help but wonder if this feeling was what Merle had been feeling the entire time Van had been gone?

But Merle's sudden movements interrupted the man's thoughts, as she suddenly shot up from her seat. There wasn't enough time for Balgus to catch the girl as she ran as quickly she could toward the gate.

'Where are you going?' Balgus called.

'He's home! VAN'S HOME!' Merle called back as she twisted mid-run to show Balgus her excitement.

'How could she possibly know that?' Balgus asked himself as he watched the girl disappear through the gateway to the city. But he had to admit that if she was so positive that Van was home, he should probably believe her.

♦♦♦♦♦

Merle ran as fast as she could through the busy city streets of Fanalia, dodging people and carts as she went. There were some that even called a greeting to her, but she did not answer them with anything more than an extremely brief cry of hello.

As she'd been sitting in the garden with Balgus by her side, she'd caught a smell on the west-coming wind that alerted her to Van's nearness. It was a mix of the summer wood and sweat scent that he always carried, with the hint of sulfur and blood that would come from fighting a dragon. And as she took in and followed the smell, she'd never been so grateful for her beast-like senses.

When Merle finally set eyes on Van, she couldn't help but cry out with her overwhelming relief. Running even faster than she had been, she was even more relieved when she saw him open his arms open to her. But nothing felt as it did when she was finally in his arms again after so long. And in her joy, Merle couldn't help her beast-nature and kiss his cheek with her tongue, despite knowing that he didn't like such a public display.

'Oh Lord Van, I'm so happy that you're home!' she cheered as tears of joy started to stain her cheek.

'No more crying,' Van whispered soothingly as he brushed away her tears with his thumb. And for a moment, Merle thought that he might kiss her as his arms closed even tighter around her torso.

Unfortunately Merle's wonderful moment was torn from her grasp, with a sudden pull of attention to a girl she'd never seen before.

'Um, hello?' the stranger interrupted.

'Lord Van, who is she?' Merle asked, once again worried.

♦♦♦♦♦

It wasn't too long after Van had returned home, that he exhaustedly turned in for a well-deserved rest. And when he climbed into bed, Merle's warm body pleasantly greeted him. Van didn't try to fight his need to have her close now, not with his inability to hold her for so long. He was finally truly at home when he pulled her into his arms, with the comforting feeling of devotion. He was finally with his family once again. And he could for a moment forget everything else but the safe feeling that he had. Forget everything but that strange girl sleeping somewhere in his castle.

To Be Continued.

Title means "stranger". And let's see… anything else I need to say? No I don't think so… other than please review.

Ryoko Porter