Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or Escaflowne!

Wow...I'm only posting one story right now...that doesn't seem right!

This is the second to the last chapter, my readers!

Enjoy!

The stories spread throughout Gaea about the Fanelian queen who could assure good health during and after a pregnancy. It made many countries want to ally with Fanelia, just so their population would go up instead of staying even or even dropping because of the high infant mortality rate and the equal or greater amount of mothers that died in childbirth.

But suddenly, a bright pillar of light came from the sky not too far from Asturia's capital, Palas. Kenshin, Sano, Megumi, Aoshi, Misao and Yahiko stood, bewildered, in the middle of the road.

"Where are we, Ken-san?" Megumi asked, eyes wide. "This is a place I've never seen in my life."

Kenshin surveyed the land with his amber eyes, the wind making his hair flutter to and fro. "I don't know…this isn't Earth, as far as I can tell."

"This strange light came and took us here, just like it took the mermaid, Van and Allen away!" Yahiko connected, looking around. "Maybe this is the 'Gaea' those two were talking about!"

Kenshin nodded. "We're quite close to the sea, and there's a city down there. Perhaps we're in 'Fanelia', or 'Asturia'."

Aoshi held up a hand as he listened. "There is someone coming this way."

Before any of them could move, Allen came riding up, his eyes wide when he saw who it was. "Kenshin-taisho! What brings you here?"

The red-haired demon stepped forward to the blonde knight. "Would we be on Gaea, then?"

"Yes, this is Gaea! You can tell by the Mystic Moon and its child hanging in the sky!" Allen confirmed, pointing at the sky.

The group of pirates looked up and gaped at the pair of moons.

"Wow!" Misao exclaimed. "There's another moon in the sky! I would've never known had I not looked up!"

Yahiko nodded. "Yeah, that's sorta cool in a way. I suppose nights here aren't as dark."

Allen dismounted and waved to the landscape and city. "My friends, welcome to Asturia, and down there is the capital city, Palas."

Kenshin drew his sword, Allen doing the same to defend himself. "You will take me to the demon mermaid, right now."

Allen's blue eyes widened and he shook his head. "Unless I'm invited by the king himself or allowed by my queen, I'm not allowed to cross into Fanelia's borders, ally or not."

Kenshin was about to attack, when Sano grabbed his arm. "Take it easy, Kenshin. There are rules we have to follow here, unless you want to have a bad reputation here, too."

The demon sheathed his sword, but hissed, "I will find her, the demon wench who betrayed me. We were married and she abandoned me."

Both Allen and Sano looked uneasy. Sano spoke first. "Well, it wasn't in writing, Kenshin, so it wasn't official."

Allen added, "On top of that, she's now queen of Fanelia and wouldn't leave her position just for you, even if it was official. She loves Van too much and is a favorite amongst all the nations."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What is she doing?"

"I haven't been following everything that's happened these past three years, but Queen Millerna is especially good friends with her because of something she did to help with Princess Gale."

"Can I see this 'Queen Millerna'?"

"I'm afraid unless someone of noble or royal status is with you, you wouldn't be trusted around her. Protection and such against any unknown enemies. I myself am heading back to my post at a small castle near the border."

Misao's eyes sparkled at the thought of seeing a castle. "Can we come with you, Allen?"

"If you wish, but I do believe I won't have much to show you, besides what's inside and the forest surrounding it. I'll have to warn you, do not go into the northern forest. For you may not come back alive."

Allen mounted his steed again and rode on, the group following him on foot. When they reached the small castle, Misao jumped up and down in excitement.

"This is so cool! What do you think, Aoshi-sama?"

"It is rather impressive," Aoshi commented coolly.

Sano thrust a fist into the air. "This place has to be where we're staying, then!"

Kenshin asked in a subdued voice, "What will our accommodations be?"

"Anything we have," Allen admitted. "I wasn't prepared to receive such a large party."

So everyone was paired up, Kenshin with Aoshi, Sano with Megumi, and Misao with Yahiko. The latter pair fought like cat and dog, but when Kenshin scolded them, they shaped up.

They dined with Allen and his new set of men, and as they were going to the dessert course, a guard came in and announced, "Sir Allen, there is a letter for you from the king of Fanelia."

"Oh? I didn't know anything special was happening at this time. What could Van have to say now?" He took the letter and read it out loud. "To Sir Allen Schezar, one of the Asturian Knights of Heaven. You are cordially invited to the christening and coronation of Azure Folken de Fanel, soon-to-be crown prince. There will be a banquet and a ball following. The date of the event is Tenth Moon, Yellow. Signed, Van Salazar de Fanel, king of Fanelia."

Kenshin stood up, fire in his eyes. "You mean that there's been a child spawned from this union?!"

Allen re-folded the letter. "Obviously. Van wouldn't have any concubines to have children with. He's not like that, which is much like his father, as Queen Millerna remembers. If any of you wish to come with me, you'll find that the castle in Fanelia is much grander than this one. Of course, proper attire for the event will have to be made by the time we are to leave, so that you won't look like the pirates you are."

"Like what?" Megumi asked, wondering what could be considered "proper attire" on Gaea.

"Suits for us men and evening gowns for the ladies. Most likely I'll have to demonstrate the latest dances should you wish to come and see Van and Tenshi-sama again."

Misao's eyes sparkled as she thought of what she would wear. "A ball! I'll get to dance with Aoshi-sama!"

"Who would wanna dance with you, weasel-girl?" Yahiko drawled.

"Don't call me a weasel, brat!"

"I'm not a brat! You look more like a weasel and I look almost older than you!"

The two glared at each other, lightning flashing between them.

Sano smirked. "I suppose you'll be the one stuck dancing with her, kid."

"I'm not a kid, Rooster-head!" Yahiko snapped, popping veins.

Aoshi and Megumi rolled their eyes at the childishness, while Kenshin threatened, "When we get back to the ship, all of you will be swabbing the deck with washcloths if you don't be quiet."

Allen snorted, since the trio was like Merle and Hitomi had been when they'd first met. So now it seemed they would all be coming to the christening and coronation for the new son of the king and queen of Fanelia.

sobs Another fic, almost done...I'll have to start posting another Esca fic after the last chapter is posted!

Although no one seems to like this one, I'll finish it!

Please review!