Beyond Aeaea
DISCLAIMER: The Vision of Escaflowne is not legally mine but the visions of this story are.
NOTE: And now, the final chapter. Thank you for sticking with me to the very end and I hope you enjoyed where the story has taken you.
(I have no medical knowledge whatsoever so I'm keeping the details in that area to a bare minimum. And this chapter is full of both cheesiness and comedy, so forgive me.)
All my other, more specific thanks will be expressed after the chapter. Read and enjoy.
Chapter Twenty
"Don't you dare think of abandoning us here!" Millerna shouted angrily.
"I don't take orders from you!" Dilandau retorted furiously, as he was about to mount the uninjured horse.
Everything had gone awry as Eries lay by the side of the road, struggling with her pain, with Millerna at her side, frantically thinking of what to do, and Dilandau about to leave them on the only means of transportation left.
"I'm going to get out of here," Dilandau announced harshly, "and I'll find someone, a doctor or something, to come back here for you."
Neither sister believed he would be that generous. It was clearly only an excuse to get away.
Eries supposed that after he had helped them fend off the bandits, he thought he had done enough. But she couldn't let him leave now, not when they were most vulnerable. Even through her pain, she racked her brain for some words that could convince him to stay.
Millerna wasn't doing a very effective job of convincing him, but the girl was too frantic to think straight. She was scared and worried, and could not remain calm. She could not believe what was happening and the stress was making her desperate.
"How could you be so cruel?" the younger princess railed at him, "after all that we've been through, why do this?"
"What are you talking about?" Dilandau asked her, "I owe you nothing. I'm sick and tired of wasting my time wandering in these woods. I'll find someone else to take care of you."
Though his words were cold and harsh, Eries could see that there was the slightest hint of fear in his eyes. He had never been in such a situation before, something he could not control or he could not destroy. He was as confused and nervous as they were and he wanted nothing but to flee from all the uncertainty, back to somewhere more familiar.
Eries took a deep breath and closed her eyes, taking in her pain, and collecting her thoughts. She didn't notice that for some strange reason, Dilandau had walked towards her.
"Don't you die out here," he told her, "Folken will never recover. I'm sure he'll find you."
Her eyes snapped open, and she looked deeply into his. She needed to reassure him, to make him stay until Folken did find them. She trusted them both.
With some effort, Eries extended her hand and grabbed his arm tightly. Dilandau tried to jerk away but the princess' grip was tight. He looked angry but Eries could feel that he wasn't really resisting that much. A small nudge in the right direction would be enough.
"Please," she begged him earnestly, "don't leave us alone."
Dilandau's eyes widened at these words and he became very still. Millerna watched him carefully and curiously, and Eries waited hopefully. Something had come over him all of a sudden, and he seemed very different.
"Alone," he whispered, his eyes still wide, staring into somewhere, some vague memory.
"Dilandau?" Eries asked in concern.
He seemed to snap out of his trance and he shook his head.
"Fine," he muttered begrudgingly, jerking his hand out of hers, "only because Folken will never shut up about this if he found out."
Eries and Millerna sighed with relief as the young captain went to stand in one side. At least, they would have some protection in case anything else happened.
So once again, all attention turned to the woman in labor. Eries tried to steady her breathing and suppressed the urge to scream as she felt the contractions. Millerna was by her side, holding her hand and trying to comfort her with reassuring words.
She tried to distract herself by dwelling on the humorous aspects of their situation. It was all so ironic, really.
"So much for all my planning," she thought with a laugh, "I had wanted to bring my child to the world in a place that wasn't as complicated as a palace or a flying fortress. It turns out my wish did come true in a strange and very unexpected way."
For there they were, in the middle of nowhere, with no means of transportation, no provisions, and certainly no medical equipment. It was a very natural setting for new life to emerge, but hardly a comfortable one.
"Sister," Eries told Millerna gently, "I think that this is the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your medical skills."
"My-my skills?" Millerna asked nervously, "but there's no way, I mean, all I've learned I've only read in journals, and I haven't had any real experience."
"Well, now's your chance then," Eries replied calmly, though still struggling with the pain.
"But still, I don't know, I'm not sure," Millerna said in a panic.
She had read much about these situations but she didn't want to put her sister at risk if she made a mistake. What surprised her so much was how Eries was still so much calmer than she was, given the tense situation. But Millerna could see how much her sister was struggling.
"Stop wasting time sobbing about it and just do what you can!" Dilandau interrupted impatiently, "if you know how to deal with this kind of thing, then just make the most of what's available! We don't really have a choice here!"
Millerna seemed slightly empowered by this command and she steeled herself. She looked at Eries once again and the latter nodded at her, trusting her completely. Millerna resolved not to waste that trust.
"You're right," she said, "I'll do what I can."
"Thank you," Eries whispered weakly.
So the younger princess folded her sleeves and prepared to apply her skills. She and Dilandau found a comfortable spot for Eries to lie down as she continued to pant heavily. The young man was not at ease with being so close to a bleeding woman and tried to keep his distance after helping.
Not having many rags or pieces of cloth to work with, Millerna tore out bits of her heavily layered dress and washed them with water from the stream. She carefully cleaned up Eries' legs and helped her sister as much as she could, holding her hand, whispering words of encouragement, and checking the time between each contraction.
Millerna prepared as many clean cloths as she could from both her and her sister's clothing. Dilandau averted his eyes from the process and tried to maintain a very indifferent stance. But after a while, Millerna called out to him.
"I'm going to need your help," she asked earnestly.
"I am not about to hold her hand or anything like that," Dilandau said stubbornly.
"Don't worry," Millerna said calmly, "I just need you to heat some water from the stream. Do you think you can do that please?"
Dilandau nodded, much to Millerna's relief. She wasn't sure how he was planning to accomplish that task but she knew that anything involving the use of fire was within his field of expertise. And true enough, he managed to find some small metal container from the carriage and he proceeded to doing the task.
Eries was closing her eyes and wincing but remained quite calm.
"Sister, maybe it would be better if you stopped restraining yourself," Millerna advised, "just scream or shout if you're in pain, it will help."
"Are you sure you want to hear that?" Eries asked with a weak smile.
"Don't worry about us," Millerna said, "you have to be as comfortable as you can."
"I suppose you're right," Eries muttered, again taking deep breaths, "but brace yourself."
And for the next few minutes, flocks of birds flew up from the trees and various woodland creatures fled from their homes.
Millerna and Dilandau stopped what they were doing to cover their ears, neither expecting Eries' warning to be very serious. Both youths did not imagine that anyone could scream so loudly, that such sounds could ever emerge from the calmest princess on Gaea.
But Millerna only realized how much pain her sister was in, to be able to unleash such furious cries. And she was also a bit remorseful about her advice.
"MAKE HER STOP!" Dilandau yelled furiously, his hands still on his ears.
"I CAN'T!" Millerna replied.
Fortunately, Eries knew that she had frightened them enough and had released enough tension to keep her calm and quiet for another few hours. She stopped screaming at once and resumed her labored breathing.
"I warned you," she whispered to Millerna once the princess returned to take her hand, "but don't worry, I won't be screaming like that for a while."
"I certainly hope so," Dilandau muttered, "or else, I don't care what happens, I'm just going to leave you here."
"Sorry about that, Dilandau," Eries replied, with the same sense of humor, before closing her eyes and enduring the pain.
"How long will it take before the brat comes out?" Dilandau asked Millerna.
"There's no way of knowing," the younger princess replied, "for some it takes only a few hours, and others stay in labor for nearly two days."
"WHAT?" the soldier cried out incredulously.
"I know," Eries reassured him, "and for all our sakes, I hope this ends soon."
But she knew that this would last a lot longer than she anticipated. Eries couldn't explain it; she could only feel it. For some ineffable reason, she sensed that the baby refused to come out because he or she was waiting for something, or someone.
And somehow, she was waiting too, though it seemed ridiculous to do so given their current situation.
But she was patient and resilient, and she would wait. Because, logic be damned, Eries knew that he was on his way.
"Folken," she addressed the sky, sending her thoughts out into the world, "we're waiting for you. Find us here."
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"Sir, we're nearing the Asturian border," a soldier reported.
"Good," the Strategos replied, standing close to the window of the flying fortress. They were finally there.
"Proceed immediately to the area near the royal rest house," he ordered.
He rubbed his aching head and took a deep breath. His eyes were sunken and he was exhausted from the lack of rest.
He had spent a sleepless night waiting for any news of Eries. But the search had yielded no results and he had grown more and more anxious. No one had spotted Dilandau as well.
Something told him that she was still alive but he needed to make sure. It seemed like he would have to be the one to find her, and he prayed that he would not be too late.
He had spent the whole night worrying and pondering on their life together, and how fragile everything now seemed. His priorities now were clearer than ever, though how he would protect them was another, more complicated matter.
All Folken knew now was that he needed to protect his family, Eries and their child, even if it meant going against the man who had taken him under his wing for the past ten years. Somehow the Strategos did not believe as firmly as he used to in the Emperor's plans and motivations.
He now saw that there was still some good in that world, something precious and worth protecting. He did not want to be involved in plunging all of Gaea in an endless war so that the Destiny Prognosticator could destroy it and create a new world.
And the more he studied and reflected, the more he realized the flaws in Emperor Dornkirk's methods. And also something about Folken's Draconian heritage seemed to remind him of what happened ages ago when the Atlanteans grew complacent.
History would repeat itself in the destruction of the whole world again, and now, Folken fervently refused to be involved in that.
But he would have to plan his future very carefully. Deserting Zaibach was not a simple matter, and he would have to think of the dangerous consequences for himself and his family. There would also be the matter of where to seek asylum should he leave Zaibach. And how he would explain things to his younger brother should he ever decide to return to Fanelia.
It was now time to return, to face the past he thought he had left behind.
And yet, he did not just want to leave Zaibach, and selfishly pursue his own happiness. There was something else.
Folken narrowed his eyes and looked around at the structure of the flying fortress and pondered on all the technology and advancement he had helped make possible for the empire.
He needed to stop Emperor Dornkirk's plans. But he couldn't possibly do this alone. So much preparation had to made, so many factors to consider.
All these thoughts compounded with his worry and concern over Eries' disappearance were causing a massive headache for the talented Strategos, and he rubbed his forehead with his organic hand, trying to massage it as best as he could.
There was too much to think about but the most important matter for the moment was Eries' safety, and that of their child. He needed to find her and protect her again.
In remembering his wife, Folken smiled and a horde of memories flooded back to him, somehow giving him comfort.
He had never imagined that such a simple, happy life could be possible for him, after all that had happened, after all that he had chosen to forget.
It was amazing how a strangely vivid dream had somehow become a beautifully complicated reality.
"My dear Eries," he thought fondly, and at once he could see her face, her smile, and he could hear her laugh, her reprimands, her calm comments, and her words of love.
He loved her, and he would do everything in his power to protect her.
Funny how such a simple resolution, such a short promise was probably the most difficult to fulfill in his entire life. Because it was a labor of a lifetime, a commitment that should never be broken. Every word uttered during their wedding, every vow exchanged now no longer seemed like mere ceremonies or necessary rituals, but true promises, binding and indestructible.
"This is not the life I imagined myself having," Eries had told him one day, "which is why I am all the more thankful for how things had turned out."
"I'm glad that you feel the same way," he had replied with a smile, "this was beyond my expectations as well."
"Our being together has surprised so many people," Eries had remarked, "but I think those who are most surprised at this are the two of us. It's a strange idea."
"But we were pleasantly surprised," Folken teased, "and that's all that matters."
"Once again, you're right, my love," Eries had answered with a laugh. She had poured some of the vino Dilandau had given them into two glasses. She raised hers.
"Here's to a life full of pleasant surprises," she had said. And they had toasted to it.
The time they had spent together was never enough, and now Folken resolved to change that. Now, more than ever, did he realize how important, how dear, she was to him, now that there was a possibility of losing her.
And though he would make sure to investigate what had happened with great tenacity, he knew that the first thing that he would do when he saw her was to take her in his arms. He was no longer so concerned about appearances. And besides, most people in Zaibach were already aware of their great bond.
As soon as they reached Asturian air space, Folken ordered the soldiers to thoroughly scan the area below for any sight of the princess.
Despite the lack of sleep, Folken was wide awake, and his eyes scanned the scenes below him urgently, seeking any sign of his wife. He knew now that only he would be able to find her, and that wherever she was, she was waiting for him, along with their child. They were waiting for him.
The nearer they flew to the place where she would have been travelling, the more anxious Folken became. The woods were thick in that area close to the palace and the trees obscured the view. But Folken peered into it nonetheless, wishing that his eyes could burn into the foliage to see what or who were beneath.
He gave orders to prepare their own search party to land in the woods.
"My dear Eries," Folken asked silently, "where are you?"
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There was no mistaking that familiar shadow.
Dilandau looked up to see the Vione in the distance, quickly flying towards them. They had been waiting for hours and Eries had remained in labor. But now all would be well.
"They're here!" he cried out in excitement, "Zaibach has arrived!"
"Did you hear that, sister?" Millerna said eagerly.
"Yes," Eries replied faintly, but with a smile, "he's come for us at last."
But as Dilandau stared up at the flying fortress, he frowned. It was still some way above them and the people aboard would not be able to see them through the thickness of the trees.
"Well, I'm going to make sure they see us," he muttered with determination, beginning to pile some debris on the carriage.
"Millerna," Eries cried frantically, "I think the child is coming!"
"What?" the young princess answered in a panic, "but can't you wait just a little bit longer, for when the doctors arrive?"
"I don't think so," Eries replied, already struggling to talk, beads of sweat shining on her pale face, "I think the baby's waited long enough."
"All right, all right," Millerna said, squeezing Eries' hand and then going to where the princess' legs were spread out, "are you ready?"
Eries nodded.
There were tears on Eries' face as she struggled but she listened as Millerna encouraged her and instructed her to push as much as she can.
"You can do this, sister," Millerna coached, "just push, push, push. You're doing fine, just continue to push."
Eries winced and shouted a bit as she pushed, knowing that her child was on his way out, that new life was just about to burst forth from her. The pain was unimaginable but she endured it with great fortitude.
Meanwhile, a loud explosion was heard as Dilandau set the carriage on fire.
"What are you doing?" Millerna screamed, not leaving her place.
"I'm making sure they find us," Dilandau yelled back. He made a face when he saw what was happening and turned away, disgusted by all the blood.
Millerna nodded and then concentrated on delivering the baby. This was no time to be distracted.
"I can see his head, sister," the doctor-princess said, "just keep pushing, you're almost there."
And Eries pushed and pushed, exhausting all her remaining strength, and reminding herself that all would be well, that the pain was temporary. Then, in a few moments, it was over, and Eries heard that loud cry that made her heart grow full.
"He's here, he's here," Millerna said, tears in her eyes as she held the newborn babe gently in her arms, wrapped in shreds of her dress, "he's beautiful."
Without speaking, mesmerized by the whole scene, Dilandau cut the umbilical cord with his sword (which he had sterilized earlier on Millerna's instructions). He was both disgusted and fascinated by the whole event.
Eries sighed with relief and laughed with utter happiness, her face streaked with sweat and tears. Millerna carefully gave the child to his mother and Eries held him close to her, kissing his tiny forehead.
Millerna was in the process of cleaning her sister up as best as she could when the rescuers arrived, Folken running ahead of them all. The younger princess was then thankful for Dilandau's quick thinking for they had seen the signal clearly.
"Well, it's about damn time!" Dilandau exclaimed folding his hands across his chest.
Some of the soldiers who had alighted from the small ship were his own Dragon Slayers and they quickly apologized profusely for their tardiness.
Folken rushed to his wife's side, and held both her and the child gently as he could. At the sight of Eries' smiling face and the small figure she held in her arms, Folken could not suppress the tears that flowed from his eyes.
"Thank goodness you're all right," he said immediately.
"I knew you'd come," Eries whispered with a smile, "I knew you'd find us."
"Sorry it took so long," Folken apologized quickly.
Eries shook her head.
"No, no," she replied calmly, "you're right on time. Allow me to introduce you to your son."
And then, Folken looked at the newborn child, their child, the life they had formed together, and smiled.
This was his family, and nothing in the world was more precious.
Dilandau and Millerna watched the scene curiously, the former unable to suppress her tears as well.
"It's all so beautiful," she thought with a smile.
Behind her, Dilandau rolled his eyes at her reaction but could not help but watch the scene as well. There was something so peaceful about those three, and he had never seen anything like it before, not within the cold, dark walls of Zaibach. Something stirred within him that he did not quite understand.
His reverie was interrupted, however, when he had to catch Millerna in his arms. She had fainted from exhaustion.
"Silly girl," the captain muttered in annoyance, "such a nuisance."
And yet, he did not drop her to the ground. Her eyes were closed but she sighed softly and smiled contentedly.
Folken, Eries, and their newborn son, remained together on the grassy ground, unwilling to break apart for the next few minutes. And no one wanted to bother them as they reveled in their bliss.
"Thank you," Folken whispered to his wife, "for giving me the love and happiness which I never thought was possible for me."
"Oh, my dear Folken," Eries answered earnestly, "you have given me just as much joy in my life. And right now, everything is perfect."
"I love you," he said simply.
"I love you," she replied with a smile.
And he leaned down to kiss her, and then, he held both her and their son close to his heart.
Aeaea was like a distant dream now. They had a whole new life together to face beyond it
-FIN-
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And thus ends my longest Folken and Eries story to date. Starting from a bunch of crazy dreams and a weird premise, this story finally made its way from my muddled imagination to these virtual pages. Thank you for appreciating my bizarre take on my favorite Escaflowne couple, and I hope you enjoyed the journey.
(I didn't name their child because I'm really bad with new character names and I didn't want to ruin it for anyone if I picked a lousy name. So there.)
Let me thank all those who have left a review for the story so far: Jaredin Snow, AmethystWings, Going Away, liz, IVIaedhros, jan, Arachne, Niello, Priya-chan, windwraith, Ron and his Sakura, and Millefiore!
Thank you so much, your feedback has been most encouraging and I really love reading any comments you might have about the story. Thank you!
And thank you as well to those who added this story to their favorites: AmethystWings, Darth Vicious, demetra1792, EriesAston, Millefiore, mystlady, Niello, Priya-chan, and Summer Skye.
And for those who put this on their alerts, thank you, and your wait is over: rellik-tida, kayarn, Millefiore, and Lieutenant L'Emir.
If I missed anyone, sorry and THANK YOU TOO.
I didn't think it would be this long, but the story took over me and here it is. I also wasn't sure if I would finish on time, but the forces of the universe somehow made this possible.
So I'm glad to be posting the finale of this story on 10-10-10. This is my little contribution to history.