Wow, it's been a very, very long time since I was able to update this story... I am sorry that's it's taken so much time, but it was unavoidable. My full notes will be posted at the end of the chapter.
ATTENTION! This chapter is not to be read in a place where you would get in trouble because you fell off your chair laughing. Mamoru has out done himself this chapter.
Dawn of Angels the last part is for you.
Chapter 47: Champion
"Lady Hitomi… Lady Hitomi, it's time to get up." Meriu gently said.
"You will never wake her up by just talking to her." Mamoru informed her, rolling his eyes.
Hitomi groaned. She was just about to get up on her own. All that she had to do was open her eyes, but she was still groggy from sleeping in a chair.
After having dinner with Van, she had started to look at the books that he had in his study, and came across several books including some original printed books about Fanelian traditions. So she had accidentally fallen asleep in his study, where Meriu and Mamoru were trying to wake her up.
"This is the best way I've found to waking her up… though I don't recommend that you try it. "
Hitomi was awake enough now to be able to pin point where her brother was standing; he was leaning over the back of her chair. Her hand came flying out, to grab his wrist that was poised above one of her ears.
"If you would wait thirty seconds, you would see that I am awake." Hitomi informed her brother as she managed to open one eye. "Were you going to do what I think you were going to do?"
"Why of course." Mamoru grinned.
"Oh, grow up." She pushed his hand back at him, the light from the window made the saliva on his extended pinky finger glisten. Hitomi stretched as she stood up handing the book she had fallen asleep over to Mamoru.
"What?"
"Fanelia is going to be your home for the next little while, so I suggest that you learn a bit about it." He took the book from her, and she turned to Meriu, "I guess that it's time to get ready for the meeting with the councilors."
After the two girls had left the study Mamoru plopped down in the newly vacant chair and looked at the book. 'Medical Advances in Fanelia… At least she knows a good book when she sees one.' He thought to himself.
XxXxXxX
An awkward silence filled the council room as they all waited for the king to arrive. Hitomi sat at head of the table next to Van's empty chair, and watched as the council members squirmed and fidgeted.
They were probably wondering why she had arrived before Van, as most of the council members were used to having the queen or future queen, arrive arm in arm with the king. Hitomi wanted to show them that she was serious about her role in Fanelia, and that she was going to be an active part in the government. She was not going to be some useless figurehead that was only going to be an object to dangle on the king's arm during events, or just a baby maker.
So here she sat, watching as the sun slowly rose into the sky, waiting for Van to arrive so the council could deliver whatever disheartening news they were going to say. She figured that they had to have some sort of bad news as they only ever requested her presence in a meeting when they had something bad to say... well bad to her. That was another reason why she had shown up so much earlier then Van; to make the council members a little uncomfortable in exchange for whatever they had planed.
Thankfully for the council members Van arrived soon after Hitomi. Upon his arrival all the council members quickly stood up and bowed to their king. Hitomi realized two seconds too late that she too should have stood at Van's arrival, but of course she would look stupid if she stood up now.
"Good morning, Hitomi." Van greeted when he got to his chair.
"Good morning, Van." She responded, and felt a small blush creeping across her cheeks. The blush vanished when she noticed who else had arrived.
"Good morning, Milady."
"Good morning, Derek."
Once everyone was once again seated, the meeting began. "My Lord and Lady," Orden began. "It has recently come to the council's attention that there is one ancient tradition that is going unnoticed, and we the council feel as though this ritual would greatly benefit everyone."
"What ritual is this?" Van asked. "I thought that you had integrated all the old traditions into the ceremonies."
"That we have, Majesty. It is only that this ritual is even older. We have traced it back to almost the time of the original Abaharaki… It was referred to as 'Hasha' which we think translates to 'Champion'."
"And what was the purpose of this 'champion' ritual?" Derek asked.
"Well, back in the days when Gaea was still a wild land, just after the defeat of the Black Dragon Clan, there were a number of solders who sought revenge, or rented out their skills for such deeds." One of the other councilors informed them. Geru, Hitomi thought his name was. He was one of the younger members. "The kings of that time wanted to make sure that their daughters would be treated well, and stayed safe, so they assigned their best knight to protect her while they went off to fight. Then when marriage treaties were formed the princess's champion would accompany her to her new home, so that she would have both protection, and a familiar face in the new land." He continued.
"That's all well and good, but what's to stop the princess and her champion from becoming too friendly, especially being the only ones in a strange country?" Derek asked.
Orden answered the knight; "The ritual has the champion swear on oath to protect his princess from any and all harm, even if that means protecting her from himself… Also, if they were found in such a manner, he would be beheaded, and she would be shamed from the family, and if she were with child she would be forced to lose that child."
"That's horrible!" exclaimed Hitomi.
"Those were the times, m'lady." Orden stated, "Although you would have to agree those are some pretty strong incentives."
"Doesn't make it any less barbaric." Hitomi muttered.
"So what we, the council, are proposing that when Lady Hitomi becomes Fanelia's queen, she is assigned a Champion." Orden stated.
Hitomi glared at the councilmen, but no one paid her any heed. "What do you think, Majesty?" Geru asked.
"It's not that bad of an idea." Van admitted. Everybody looked at him slightly shocked that he was actually agreeing to something the council was proposing. "Who did you have in mind?"
"Er… Well… we believe that Lord Mamoru would be the best person." Orden stammered.
"My brother?" Hitomi asked in a flat voice.
"He is the only person who's from the same place as you, and if he has half the training you do then he would be more then qualified." Geru injected.
"There's just one major problem with that." Argued Hitomi, "He has no skill whatsoever."
Orden wasn't convinced, "Everyone has some sort of-"
"Not this guy." Derek interrupted.
"I beg your pardon?"
"No offence, " Derek looked at Hitomi. "But your brother is worse then a new born."
"None taken and besides, I can take care of myself. I can win a match -blindfolded- against the best samurai Fanelia can offer."
"Hey, I've beaten you." Derek reminded her.
"One time! And I was out of practice."
"And that would be the exact reason why you should have a champion." Geru said, "As there will be a time where you will not be able to stay 'in practice,' and if Lord Dryden is correct, then that time will come sooner rather then later."
Another awkward silence filled the room, "That may be true but, it's insane to have one guy watch over me all the time. He has to sleep and have a life or he'd burn out." Hitomi argued.
The council members looked at each other, some of the younger ones blushed slightly. "Well… the thing is, who ever will be your champion would have his evenings free, as you would be under the protection of the king." Tompo the agriculture minister said after a pause.
"Lady Hitomi does bring up a valuable point though." Derek added. For some reason Hitomi had a feeling that she wasn't going to like where this was headed.
"Even if it is tradition for the king to watch over his queen at night it would still be wise for there to be more then one Champion. Just in case the he gets ill or is injured. Also we are on the verge of a war, and I presume that, you my Lord, will want to lead your men on the battle field if it comes to it."
Van nodded as Derek continued. "So that will leave our queen unprotected at night."
"What do you have in mind then?" Van asked.
"Well," Derek addressed the room, "Before the name 'Abahraki' was given to the group that Lady Hitomi has been teaching, some people called us 'The Queen's Guard'. Of course that could have been because the Queen, or the lady who is as good as queen, was training us." Yup, Hitomi really wasn't liking where this was heading. "I think that it would be appropriate for the Abahraki to literally be the queen's guard.
"We are the best Fanelia has to offer."
All the men in the room mulled this information over for a few, very long, minuets, while Hitomi glared at Derek. "That's absurd. I will not need twelve guys watching over me."
"But this was your idea." Derek countered, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
"What?"
"During the trip to Adom to fetch your brother, I over heard you telling your fiends that Lord Van was assigning you twelve guards."
Hitomi's eyes narrowed, "I only said that to keep them from worrying about me. Believe it or not, they're more protective then the lot of you put together." She turned to look at Van, to convince him that this really wasn't necessary.
His face was a blank mask, but his eyes spoke volumes to her. To everyone else in the room, it looked as if they were having a staring contest, broken only when he asked, "Please."
Eventually Hitomi sighed, "All right, Van."
"Excellent." Orden said quickly, almost like he was afraid of her changing her mind. "We will have all the necessary documents for you to sign by the end of the week."
All the council members stared to gather their things, the meeting over. "Wait." Hitomi stopped them. "That's it? That all you needed to talk to us about."
"What do you mean?" Tompo asked.
"This couldn't wait for the regular weekly meeting?" She elaborated. "You had to call a special meeting, when this time could have been used for sleep, or final preparation for Millerna's arrival."
"Well… In the past the Queen of Fanelia was never involved in the political aspect of the country." Yasha the oldest of the council members explained in a calm, deep voice. "As this issue directly involves you and your opinion we had to call a special meeting."
"Why haven't the past queens been politically involved?"
"It's just the way things are." Yasha answered honestly. Hitomi opened her mouth to argue, "So when you become queen, you are more then welcome to come to the meetings." His tone made it clear that they were not going to discuss it any further, but the look in his eyes was one that Master Kirijini used to give her after mastering a move in record time. It was a look of pride; like a grandfather watching his granddaughter walk for the first time. "Now, we all need to go and finish the preparations for Austuria's arrival, as it appears that they will be arriving slightly ahead of schedule."
Everyone looked out the window at this and saw the airships that Yasha was looking at, signaling the arrival of the first guests.
XxXxXxX
*Knock, knock, knock*
Yasha looked up from the paperwork he was working on with a confused look on his face. He wasn't expecting any visitors as the whole of the castle's staff was running around to finalize things for the Austurian Queen and her escort.
"Come in." The door opened to reveal one of his fellow Advisors. "What can I do for you, Orden?"
"Yasha." Orden began in a grave tone, and took a seat across from the senior advisor without being asked. "I would like to speak with you about the meeting we had with Lady Hitomi, and his Majesty."
Yasha smiled, he knew that it wouldn't be long before this subject would be brought up again. It appeared that it would simply be brought up sooner rather then later. "And what would you like to discuss?"
"Do you truly think that it is wise to allow her Ladyship to partake in governmental matters?"
Again Yasha was slightly surprised at the boldness of his comrade. Then again Orden was never one to beat around the bush if it could be avoided. "I think that allowing Lady Hitomi to have her say on Fanelia's affaires will be the smartest thing that this council will ever do, as she will be the most powerful queen Fanelia has ever seen.
"I like her, she will stand up for what she believes in and will not allow herself to become a tool if she was to rule the country by herself. I can tell that she will make sure that all decisions made under her watch will be made for the benefit of the people. Not to over look the fact that she truly loves Lord Van, and together they make a team that has saved the world.
"That is why I am in complete support of her having a Champion… or twelve. She is a treasure, one of which we should protect with all we have."
Orden was speechless. This was the longest and most personal speech he had heard Yasha give.
"Now," Yasha continued, "You may use my office to consider my words, as I must now leave to welcome the Asturian convoy, unless of course you would like to join me?"
"Thank you for your offer, but I think that it would be best if I ponder over your words in my own office."
"Very well. Then I shall see you at dinner."
"Until then"
XxXxXxX
They were standing on the receiving deck by the landing pad that the Crusaide was landing on. Van was to her right, with Merle and her sons beside him, and Mamoru was on Hitomi's left. Two members of the Abahraki stood alert behind her, all ready informed of their upcoming duty, they wanted to prove that they were the best for the job. Standing off to the side were a couple of the Advisors who were probably there to talk shop with the visiting Asturian Council.
Finally the airship landed, and the gangplank lowered to allow her friends to disembark. The first to leave the ship was of course Millerna escorted by Allen.
"Oh, sweet mother of Nintendo…" Mamoru whispered just loud enough for Hitomi to hear, "It's Princess Peach and Zelda!"
Hitomi glared at him from the corner of her eye, which went totally unnoticed, as his gaze was fixated on the two coming steadily towards them. "Shhhh. Behave… and that's a guy." She whispered back.
"No way."
Unfortunately Hitomi couldn't respond more then that as they had arrived. "Oh, Hitomi!" Millerna cried, and dashed the little spaced left between them and embraced her friend. "I'm so glad that you two are finally tying the knot."
Hitomi hugged her back. "It's so good to see you again."
After the two broke apart, the introductions were made, and everyone was shocked to meet Hitomi's brother. Fortunately for Hitomi, Mamoru was able to keep a straight face, and was even polite to the guests.
She wondered how long it would last.
zimmy1300 - I'm glad that you're enjoying the story so far, and I will try to work in some medical Earth terms.
The Winggoddess - thank you for your understanding about time restraints, I hope that you can forgive how long it took me to update this time.
Lil' Dinky - I hope that you've gotten lots of sleep since the last time I posted. Also i hope that this chapter made you laugh.
serenityrain2233 - Sorry, sorry, I am so sorry to make you wait so long. I hope that the wait was worth it.
thepinkmartini - thank you! more V/H to come! ^^
Dawn of Angels - I hope that you enjoyed the last bit.
tear-drowned-angel - Yes poor Mamoru. But he will have his moments. ~.^
Well I'm out of school for the summer, so I now have time to work on the things that I wanted to, but had no time to. Such as my stories, and if any of you are curious about what I did throughout the school year, you can follow this link to my blog.
http://squijumsphotos(dot)blogspot(dot)com/