Part VI - Let It Grow


"I can't believe...it's really coming along isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's really nice to see the progress."

Asbel turned to Nausicaä before giving her a wide grin, glad to see her mood lighten. He knew that since she was now in charge of the prosperous little town, she had lots of responsibilities and duties (really political meetings) to do. But in the still young mind of Asbel, he didn't believe she needed to give up on all her free time because of it. She was still a teenager like him, both in their prime, who deserved a little time to just unwind and relax. It was in this belief that he'd braved to go onto the royal grounds illegally, climb up her wall on her windmill castle and sneak her out (by the window, classic) for this afternoon to show her how well the newly planted forest was doing.

"You've done a really great job on all of this Asbel," Nausicaä praised as she raised her arm up to twist a leaf on a large nine foot sapling between two fingers gently.

"With all the water we've been hauling up, thanks to your invention, it's been a piece of cake," he laughed off as he readjusted his trusty hat. Although it'd really only been a half year since his return with Lord Yupa, the teenager had immediatly taken to the forest, even going as far as to live up here to do a better job.

"You live near here, don't you?" Nausicaä asked as she stood back up to her full height, Asbel not missing the mirth in her eyes.

He scoffed at her no-reason amusement before, "Yeah, it's nice to be able to see everything going on from up here, even if it's kinda distant."

"And also it's easier to take care of the trees?" Nausicaä hit the truth straight on the dot, causing Asbel to gape for a second. He always felt like an open book to her cleaver eyes and knew he couldn't hide anything from her, yet it always shocked him when she practically read his mind or reasons.

"That's very kind of you Asbel," she didn't wait for him to answer yes as she could see it on his face, "but you're closer to the poison. Just remember that and be careful if the wind isn't strong on some days. Can't have you getting sick."

Asbel blinked at Nausicaä concern before all out grinning, knowing this was one of her best attributes.

"I'm glad that you're the Princess and rule with that kind heart Nausicaä," he abruptly confessed, jostling the Princess herself from her steady walking for a second. She had forgotten how straightforward Asbel could be. It was practically his second trademark, after his hat of course.

"And I'm glad that you're taking care of the future forest that will protect us for many more generations to come," she confessed herself, turning to him (after regaining her footing) with such sincerity in her face and words it made Asbel look away with streams of blush staining his cheeks.

"You give me too much credit," he pulled his hat a little lower in a futile attempt to hide his flushed cheeks.

"No, no. The other villagers keep an eye on you, you know. And then they come and tell everything to me," the redhead laughed as she skipped ahead a little, the light jumps rustling Teto who had been dozing on her shoulder.

"I should remember that," Asbel rolled his eyes and he continued after her, hands in his loose pant pockets.

"So why do you take care of the forest so much?" the Princess inquired gently as she saw his hut in sight, or that's what she could only guess.

"Secret," he slyly grinned as he passed her with longer legs.

She whined out loud, but he only chuckled to it and refused to answer because he really did want to keep it to himself. He knew she'd overreact if he told her it was in a small way of retribution to her. Lord Yupa told him one time on their trip of how much she had loved the forest here all her life and because it'd been burned down, something his own people had done, he felt obligated to help it regain it's former glory. And now, seeing that bright smile on Nausicaä's face for the first time in a long time, he knew hauling water everyday to all these trees had been worth it. It would probably continue to be that way, too, as long as it made her at least the slightest bit happier. He really owed her so much and he wanted to repay her back somehow.

"So do you want something hot to drink? It's kinda cold..." Asbel noticed with a shiver as he pulled his old jacket tighter to his lithe body.

"That'd be great, Hidden Prince of the Forest," Nausicaä attempted to give him a title as she came up by his side and, slightly hesitantly, grabbed onto his arm. Asbel knew it was probably for body heat, but it still made his heart beat a little faster.

Asbel's face cracked into another famous crooked grin and Nausicaä comfortably smiled herself as she stared into his clear eyes slightly hidden by long and choppy bangs.