Hikaru

Chapter Eleven: Bed Chamber of a King

Hitomi lay on an immensely large bed. The size of it was so vast she felt that she would not be able to get off of it. The covers were quite heavy, but soft and warm at the same time. She gave a stretch and a long yawn and her legs extended up to the ceiling whilst under the covers. The light fresh scent of Grarl leaves could be smelt hovering around her, perhaps because Van had made her a mixture? Although she had not much recollection of the night before, she was aware she was in Gaea. Her vision was blurry, and she sat up and her legs returned to the comfortable mattress. The room she was in was marvellous. She had never seen such a beautiful bed chamber. It was huge and the amount of space that these walls contained was probably two times the size of her living room. The bed was impressive enough on its own! Gorgeously ornate paintings appeared on the finely decorated walls as her eye vision sharpened. They contained pictures of the Fanelian royal family, including a spectacularly brilliant piece containing an angel with long dark hair. It must have been Van's Draconian mother, captured superbly, but at the same time, even the rich textures of the paint could not do her justice. She turned to her left and saw a little wooden bedside table, it was a light brown. On there, lay a tiny miniature that was about half the size of her palm. Curious, she picked it up and inspected it. It was of a girl with short brown hair and pretty green eyes. Shocked, Hitomi almost bounced on the bed. It was her! What was a picture doing of her in this random… unless… she looked around the room more closely.

Van Slanzar de Fanel sat with one leg propped on the seat of an antique chair and the other on the ground. His sword hung from the side of his hip. He was by the window; the silky rays of sunshine that filtered through the windows immersed around him and he seemed to be in deep thought as his expression was implied that he was very troubled, and slightly melancholy. He looked fatigued, as grey circles hung from those brilliant, yet worn out eyes. Little did she know that he in fact, had been worrying all night about her and had stayed restlessly by her side, despite the chaos that had occurred during doing so. Little did she know that Chid's life had been threatened whilst he had been gallivanting around in the Fanelian Forests, and there were many noble bloods scattered all over his palace in bedchambers that were not quite ready for guests. So, he chose to keep her in his own room, where it was safe.

Van's features reminded Hitomi of Folken, but also his poignant expression did very much so resemble that of Van's brother. Although Hitomi had been with him the other night, she did not really have a chance to actually take in how handsome he had grown. His physique had become impressive, and his prescience had become subtly more profound. Fondly, she watched him, viewing his profile, which boasted his perfectly angular, masculine jaw as well as his slender, very regal, slightly upturned nose. His hair was just how she remembered it, messy, but eccentrically attractive.

Suddenly, she flushed a scarlet pink… she was in Van's bed… and in a new nightgown! Had he taken her already? "Ahh!" she thought hysterically to herself, "We haven't even kissed yet!"

"Van?" she said desperately, her face quite pink, "Have we…?"

Van turned to face her and gave a reassuring smile. She breathed out, relieved.

"So, you're awake now. How are you feeling?"

"Very fine, thank you…" Hitomi said, though embarrassed at her sudden exclamation. She got out of bed by jumping off the side and approached him. She set the minature onto the table. Van was slightly taken aback… Hitomi had become quite the young lady indeed. Her hair had become vibrant luscious locks just past her shoulders, and her eyes were as bright and mystical as he had remembered them to be. Her figure had become so much more womanly, the outline of her waist to her hips was nicely accentuated. From under her the skirt of her new dress was her long and graceful pair of legs. For the King of Fanelia, even the most talented court painter he had hired to paint her for a miniature could not capture her distinct pulchritude, especially at the height of such beauty at this moment in time.

"I'm glad," Van replied with a falsely indifferent tone, trying to remain distant... though he was not sure why. He could feel the emotions overcoming him again, but he did not feel comfortable with them surging up, "Are you hungry? I'll go check on Merle… she went to get some food…" He began walking, but Hitomi stopped him.

"Wait… Van…"

There was an awkward silence in the air.

"Van… Please stay with me." Hitomi clasped her hands round her mouth.

Van was startled by Hitomi's up front plea and turned to her, his eyes wide with anticipation. Typical her… saying things without thinking about them first. But, this was the man she loved! Surely, she could not be so petty! Releasing her grip, her gentle voice spoke again. "I mean, it's been so long… and we never really got the chance to talk." He nodded, restricting his answer, but in reality his heart was filled with joy.

Hitomi walked up to him. Van, whilst closing his eyes, felt her hands on his chest... Her head then lay there also, which perfectly fit underneath his chin. He felt hesitant as he placed his arms around her body, the scent of her encircling him. He remembered when they were very similar heights, but now he towered over her! Yes, Van had held her before, but this was so odd for him as he had spent so many years of locking up his feelings for this girl from the Mystic Moon and suddenly here she was again, back in his life, in his embrace. Lovingly he said her name, "Hitomi…" He wanted to capture this moment and hold onto it forever.

Author's Note: Hey! Look what I found… http/elfwood.lysator.liu.se/woodworks/2003/issue07/ax1.html I know it was in 2003, but that's only 3 years ago. How wonderful it would be if they did make a sequel.

Next Chapter:

Chapter Twelve: An Elongated Stay