Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?

Chapter 33

At the Port of Palas in Asturia

---

King Van and his party stood near the pier as final supplies were rushed aboard The Lady Vari. They had said their goodbyes to Chid and Millerna back at the palace; Chid was staying on with his aunts for another week before returning home to Freid. Here they were saying their goodbyes to Allen, Celena and Eries.

"When will you be visiting us again Lord Van?" A smitten Celena asked with a smile.

Van smiled back. "Unfortunately, I don't suspect I'll be back anytime soon." He gently rubbed the back of her hand with his palm while holding it in his other hand.

"Oh," she replied with a hint of sadness before brightening up again. "Well, I guess I'll just have to get my brother to take me to see you then."

"I'd like that." Van replied.

"You would?" The knight's sister responded enthusiastically.

"Yes, my young knights could use some training from the likes of Allen Schezar." Van smiled widely while Allen struggled to keep from laughing.

"Oh Lord Van, why must you tease me so?" The young woman from Asturia asked.

"Why Celena, what do you mean?" The king asked innocently.

"Forget it Celena," Merle said through narrowed eyes. "Lord Van's heart is already taken or did you miss what happened at the tournament four days ago." She glanced none too kindly at Hitomi before turning around. "I've said my goodbyes, I'll see you on the ship." She said to no one in particular as she string up the pier to the ship.

'Oh Merle, I'm sorry. I broke my promise to you didn't I… and not just once. Please forgive me but you must understand how Van and I feel for each other.' She thought as she stared after the catgirl.

"Will she be alright?" Eries asked.

"I'm sure she will. She just needs time." Van answered.

"I hope you're right." Hitomi whispered then looked up and seeing Eries standing in front of her she remembered. "Oh, Princess Eries," she reached into her pocket and pulled out the handkerchief. "I believe this is yours." She held it out for the princess to take.

Eries took it for a moment but after looking at it carefully she handed it back. "You keep it Hitomi. Let it remind you of how you inspired a king once." She said with a smile.

Hitomi smiled back. "Thank you Princess. Thank you very much."

Sir Charson who had been on the ship just a moment earlier walked up to his king and informed him. "All is ready my Lord. We can depart as soon as you board."

"Very well." The king replied.

"Well Allen," He extended his hand to shake the knight's. "It was good to see you again. I really enjoy our battles."

"As do I Van, as do I. Have a safe journey home." Allen replied.

"Goodbye again Princess Eries." Hitomi said, extended her hand but the princess gently took the teen by the shoulders and pulled her into an embrace, kissing her on the cheek.

"Farewell Hitomi and take care." The princess replied. Van and Eries shared a similar farewell.

Then Van turned to Celena, taking her hands into his he leaned forward and place a small kiss on her forehead. "Farewell Celena, and" He whispered into her ear. "Good luck and congratulations."

She smiled up at him. "Thank you Lord Van, have a pleasant journey home."

Hitomi and Celena did much the same as the two teens hugged and kissed each other on the cheek Hitomi whispered the same thing into her ear and Celena thanked her for it.

Allen pulled Hitomi into a warm embrace and kissed her atop her head. "Take good care of yourself, and Van." He smiled.

She smiled back. "I will." Then the couple turned and headed up the pier.

As the two young people in love walked the length of the pier to the ship, Allen leaned over to Celena and asked. "What was all that about?"

"All what?" She gave one last wave goodbye, never taking her eyes off the young couple.

"Now who's playing coy?" Allen asked.

"Why brother, I have no idea what you're talking about." She replied looking at him with a straight face.

He studied her features for a moment then nodded his head. "Right, sure." Then gesturing to the waiting carriage he said, "Well ladies, shall we go?" Eries nodded and the knight proceeded to open the carriage door and assist the two women in. Closing the door securely he went and mounted his stallion as they made their way back to the palace.

"So what did they say?" Eries asked.

"They wished me luck and congratulated me on my attempt to be named a Lady of the Court." Celena answered.

"Well, no need for luck but I suppose congratulations are in order." Eries smiled.

"Princess?" The teen gave her a confused look.

"Your test took place during the week of the coronation festival. What better time to determine if you are truly ready to perform the duties of a Lady of the Court but when all the rulers of Gaea are present."

"And how did I do?" The teen asked with no small degree of trepidation.

The princess smiled. "I did say congratulations were in order, did I not? You will be presented as a Lady of the Court to the Palace assembly next week."

"Thank you Princess Eries." The teen bowed barely able to contain her excitement.

"Don't thank me. You earned this position. You've worked very heard, doubly so in trying to keep Allen from finding out and you've performed every task superbly. The palace is fortunate to have you Celena." The princess assured her.

Aboard The Lady Vari

---

They had only set sail an hour earlier but already the view of Palas was long gone.

"I didn't think we'd lose sight of Palas so soon." Hitomi said looked back from whence they came.

"The winds are with us, we should make it back to Fanelia in half the time it took us to get to Palas." Van informed her.

Turning around she looked about the ship. "Where's Merle?"

"Down below I suspect." He answered.

"I should go talk to her." She stared to walk away but Van grabbed her by the wrist.

"Give her some time. Besides if she stays moody for the trip maybe she won't come up during the storm and she'll remain safe." He reasoned.

Thinking about it for a minute, Hitomi wasn't entirely convinced but nodded in agreement anyway as she allowed him to pull her into his arms, her back against his chest and his arms around her waist. "Mmm, I think I like this."

"I'm glad. I know I do." He said with a smile as they stood on the quarterdeck looking out at the horizon.

~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Sorry to say this will be my last update… till next week. Hehehe. Sorry, just couldn't resist. ^_^

I've got some home remodeling to do this weekend and a bbq to go to on Sunday, so no time to write. Believe me, I'd rather stay home and write. Someday, I'll find a way to make a living doing this. ^_^ If it weren't for all my bills, I'd sit in front of my computer all day long and write.

Anyway, I wanted to respond to some of the comments I've received. First off, no apologize necessary if you thought I was a female. To tell you the truth, after re-reading my own work sometimes I kinda get the feeling that yeah, that would be an easy assumption to make sometimes. As for Hitomi's very proper behavior and speech during the tournament, I may have gone too far with that but I was kind of thinking like … well, have you ever gone someplace where everyone around you speaks in a different accent than you. And after awhile if you're around them constantly, you start picking it up yourself. Not just the accent but they way the speak as well. That was kind of what I was going for there. Also, just like when Hitomi attended dinner with Van and all his ministers early in this story, she purposefully tried to speak in a very proper, dignified manner. Kind of wanting to prove that she belongs so as not to get people talking about how could the king be interested in such an unrefined wench. Hope the argument holds water for you.

A. Amishi