The Legend of Liocorna

Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne or any of its characters.

Thanks for all those readers being patient enough to wait for the long updates! This is the Epilogue and rather short, since there is nothing much more happening. I once thought about writing a sequel with the children when they are all about 17 to 18 years old, but that might really take a while to write that, since I still have the others story to finish and I promised a friend to write to other stories for her, one being also Escaflowne and the other about Harry Potter . But don't worry; I won't ever stop writing since it's really good in getting my thoughts straight. But for the moment, there will be not much new from me.

Ciao, SabineballZ ENJOYY!

Epilogue

The young King of Fanelia ran one hand through his still messy hair, showing much distress as he paced up and down n the hallway.

He thought being in the middle of a war was the worst thing that would happen to anyone, but this seemed so much worse. For right now he was outside the large sleeping quarters he and his wife shared, while Hitomi was on the other side with maids rushing occasionally in and out.

She had been in labour since midmorning and it was already starting to get dark outside.

Van had been with his beloved when it had started, holding her hand and trying to quill his own nervous mind which seemed to be on the brink of ripping.

When the midwife appeared upon his summoning she had taken one good look at his state and threw him out of his own chamber – be he king or not, he was right now also a very nervous soon-to-be father and would stress the mother more if he panicked and standing in the way didn't' help ether.

So there he was now; he Van Slanzar de Fanel, current King of Fanelia, running a hole into the expensive carpet in the hallway, whiles he anxiously awaited tidings from his wife's state of health and that of the baby.

As Van turned to pace the length of the hall in front of the door again, he was caught of guard by a pink haired fur ball. With some difficulty he managed to stay on his feet and tried to get his long time friend at a distant, where he could get a clear view of her face.

"Lord Van! How is Hitomi doing? Is she okay? What about the baby? Has it come yet? Wha…?"

"MERLE! Clam down! You're making me even more nervous than I already am! AND I DON'T know myself what the hell is going on in there; the midwife has forbidden the maids to tell me even a word before it's all over!"

Frustrated, Van ran both his hands through his hair this time and started pacing again. Merle instead seated herself in an elaborate armchair a servant had brought some time ago for his king. Van had even tried sitting there, waiting calm and composed, but in the end he had nearly knocked it over when he had jump up and stated his routine of running up and down the hallway, his gaze always coming back to the doors he wanted so desperately to open for him.

Another hour and a half past before the door once again opened, but this time no maid rushed out. The midwife was cleaning her hands as she steppe out on front of the king and bowed.

"Your Majesty. The birth was long and complicated. But all is well now and everyone is already recovering. Your wife wishes to see you, but do not be too loud or too hectic in your movements as she will need a lot of rest."

The young King composed himself, as he gave a curt nod to the midwife before she disappeared again into the chamber to clean up and help with the baby.

Van also entered and immediately went to the giant four poster bed. His beautiful wife Hitomi lay in it, eyes closed, her breathing steady and even although she still was a little pale and her face clearly showed the amount of energy she had lost during the first few hours. Slowly her eyelids fluttered open as two emerald orbs came to rest upon Van. A small smile spread across her lips.

"Hi handsome. Is there still a carpet outside our bedroom or do we have to get a new one?"

Van chuckled lightly and seated himself at the edge of the bed. He gently took one of her hands in his and gave it a light squeeze.

"Do not worry, the carpet has survived. How do you feel?"

"Drained, but happy. I'm glad that's finally over." Her eyes twinkled. "Although you might agree with me that we're going to need a wet-nurse for one of them."

Van gave her a confused look. His mind didn't want to believe, what his ears had heard when the words 'one of them' had come from Hitomi's lips.

Before he could ask, the midwife approached once more, holding in her arms a small bundle, which she carefully gave to Van.

"Congratulations, you Highnesses. It's a fine and strong boy, with fair hair like his mother." Van gently held his son and smiled down at him, but was still confused inside from what his wife had mentioned earlier.

He finally understood when two maids, who had been standing behind the midwife, came forwards, each wiht another bundle in their arms. Those were both carefully given to Hitomi, who had now a broad smile on her face.

"And congratulations on your two beautiful daughters."

The young king was dumbstruck at the realisation that he now had not only one and not two, but three healthy children all at once. As it all sunk in and the giggles coming from the bed broke through his train of thoughts, another broad smile full of happiness spread across his face. He leaned forward and gave his beloved a small kiss, noticing that one of his daughters had his raven hair, while the hair of the other one was silvery white. Both slept contently in their mother's arms as he held their son.

"I love you. You couldn't have given me a greater gift."

His wife smiled back as she watched their son in her husband's arms gurgling happily.

"And I love you, too. For ever and always."

"Until the end of time."

The End