Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?
Chapter 23
In Queen Millerna's chambers
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A gentle knock at her door alerted the queen that Allen had completed his task.
"Enter." She commanded.
The door opened and the knight stepped in with the young teenage girl at his side. "Lady Hitomi, your Majesty, as you requested."
"Thank you Allen, that will be all." She said from her vanity without turning to face them as she continued brushing her hair.
"Yes your Majesty." Allen bowed and closed the door behind him.
Hitomi stood near the door in an outfit very similar to her school uniform, with a long look on her face.
After several minutes of uncomfortable silence, the queen asked. "So, Lady Hitomi, how do you explain you absence from the tournament today, not to mention dinner?"
Hitomi remained silent.
Finally, setting her brush down, the queen stood up and turned toward her guest. "Are you aware that failure to attend an event for which you have received a royal invitation is punishable by imprisonment."
"Well, you better call Allen back in here so he can take me to the dungeon then." Hitomi replied flatly.
Millerna's eyes narrowed in anger. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner! You are a guest in my kingdom and in my home. I will not be spoken to in this way. Do you understand me?"
Hitomi bowed her head. While she was as angry with Millerna as she was with Van, she knew that it was no reason to be rude. 'I wanted to be big about this and not petty. Nice going Hitomi.' "My apologize your Majesty."
"Save your apologize for Lord Van." The queen walked over to the teen. "What has gotten into you that you should treat him with such contempt?"
The image of Van and Millerna laughing together at the arena flashed in the girl's mind. "You have your Majesty." She looked up at the queen. "Is this your why of getting back at me for stealing Allen's affections away from you Millerna?"
Before she knew what she was doing, the queen's hand lashed out and struck the teen across the face. "How dare you?" The queen growled. "Do you think me so petty as to play games with a man's heart just for something as silly as revenge? You really are a stupid little girl."
"Yes, I am." The teen looked up at her supposed rival. "Stupid to think a king could harbor feelings for me. I'm sorry. I didn't realize your feelings for Van were genuine." She turned to leave. "I'll find Van and get him to send me back home so I won't be in the way."
Before she could take a step Millerna reached out and grabbed her, forcing her to turn around and look at her. "Goodness Hitomi, you really are dense. There is only one woman Van Fanel loves with all his heart, and that woman is not me."
Hitomi stared at the queen in disbelief. "But Merle saw you two. She said she saw you… "
"What she saw was a kind and caring king lend his support and comfort to a frightened queen." Ashamed of her own vulnerability, she turned away. "What she saw were two friends doing what friends do, nothing more." Suddenly, she turned sharply and stared at Hitomi. "And before you ask. No, I am not in love with Van. Since you left, Van has been very supportive and helpful in aiding me in becoming the ruling monarch of my kingdom. I respect and admire King Van. He is a good friend and confidant but my heart is my own right now. I have far too many responsibilities to even consider any type of relationship other than friendship, with anyone. Besides, when it comes to Van, it wouldn't matter if I were in love with him or not. He loves you Hitomi, and only you."
The teen stood perfectly still for several moments as the queen's words sank into her consciousness. 'He loves me and only me. He loves me… and me alone… he loves me.' Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Oh Millerna, I've been such a fool. I thought, with all the rumors going around yesterday and when Merle told me she saw you and Van together in an embrace. Then when I saw the two of you laughing together at the arena." She covered her face with her hands to hide her tears of shame.
"Its not too late but you need to find Van, and you need to set things straight. And you need to do this before his bout with Allen tomorrow at the arena."
"Wha… Why before then?" Hitomi looked up.
"Because Van is so distraught over this that if he walks into that arena in his current state of mind, he is going to humiliate himself in front of nearly all the rulers of Gaea. He will become a laughing stock and all he has tried to accomplish for his kingdom will have been for naught."
"You're joking right." Hitomi's expression was filled with guilt.
"I wish I were, but I just saw Allen and Van practicing not more then thirty minutes ago and Allen defeated him easily five times in a row."
"Oh my god, its all my fault." She cupped her hands over her mouth.
"No real harm has happened yet but you must find him."
"Yes, your right." Hitomi turned to run out the door then suddenly turned back and ran at Millerna wrapping the queen in her arms. "Thank you Millerna. Thank you for being a good friend, to both Van and me. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Please, please forgive me."
After the initial shock of being hugged passed, Millerna hugged her back in an effort to share with her, her confidence and strength. "Go now, find Van and set things right."
"I will." The teen said then left in all haste.
Having left the door open as she ran out, the queen addressed the person standing in the hall, unseen. "You may come in now."
Allen walked into the room and closed the door. "How did you know I was there?"
"I didn't but I thought you might." She smiled.
"May I speak freely Your Majesty?" Allen requested.
"Always."
"When did you become so very wise?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you've always been intelligent but wisdom, true wisdom is most often the product of age and experience. I guess I just wasn't looking when you made that step." He smiled then bowed down on one knee. "Is there anything further I can do for you tonight my Queen?"
"No Sir Allen, sleep well tonight and represent your kingdom well, tomorrow in the arena."
"I will do my very best to uphold the honor of the Knights of Heaven Your Majesty." With that he rose and left her chambers.
As she got ready for bed she couldn't help but smile to herself. 'Thank you Van. I think, I think maybe just maybe you were right about me after all. Thank you for seeing it in me.'
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AN: Well, this took a little longer then I planned so the actual reconciliation won't be until the next chapter. Sorry. I'm also sorry for mentioning an action sequence then writing 4 more chapters where all the action that takes place is a simply clash of swords and a slap. Gomen.
On a happier note, thank you all for your feedback and comments. You guys really brighten my day.
And for those that don't know ACEN'03 is the 2003 installment of the Anime Central convention, held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, outside of Chicago. The first time I ever went to a con was two years ago at ACEN'01. It was in Arlington Heights that year and was a short walk from my house. It was the most fun I've ever had in three consecutive days. (I don't vacation much ^_^ ) Last years was even bigger and better. This year's looks to be the biggest yet with lots of guests (both Japanese and American (voice actors)) and lots of cool events and panels, not to mention 24 hours of anime playing in 6 rooms from the beginning of the con to the end. This year, I'll be working the con as well, as one of the photographers.
So if your at ACEN'03 this year and you see someone, about 5'7", with black hair, and glasses with a staff badge on and taking pictures of cosplayers and special guests, check to see if his nickname on the badge is A. Amishi, if it is, that will be me. ^____^
Now, its been mentioned a few times now that Hitomi and Van have yet to kiss. And well, there is a reason for that. Now correct me if I'm wrong but in the show, they never kissed. Even at the end when Hitomi leaves Gaea. They hug and share their feelings for each other but their lips never meet. I must say that frustrated the hell out of me, but its because of that, that I've decided not to have them lip-lock any sooner. But your wait is over. Well, at least till the next chapter. ^_^ I hope I will have made the wait worth it.
A. Amishi
PS: Just 23 or is it 22 days left till ACEN'03?!?! ^_~