Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?
Chapter 56
At the entrance of the Palace
---
Hitomi's persistent efforts to find out about Van's plans for dinner only drew a smile from the young king and an occasional raised eyebrow when she teasingly threatened to withhold her lips from him unless he revealed his plans. But the young king was not swayed as they walked into the palace, hand in hand.
"Ah, Lord Van." The deep baritone voice of Minister Baschan caught their attention. "I'm glad to see you are safe. When you left the campsite but did not return to the palace, I feared something may have happened."
"No Minister, nothing dreadful happened; I simply needed a little time alone with my thoughts." The king replied.
Smiling the minister observed. "It's good to see you in brighter spirits my Lord. No doubt you had something to do with that?" He bowed toward Hitomi.
"Minister, assemble the other ministers and chef captains. I will meet with everyone in my study in two hours. We have much to discuss." The king instructed.
"Yes my Lord, I shall see to it straight away." The minister bowed and went off to his task.
"Two hours?" Hitomi gave him a questioning stare.
"That gives me enough time to eat and bathe." He replied.
"And start planning our romantic dinner together?" She grinned widely with her eyebrows raised high.
"Mmm, no, I won't have time to do that till after the meeting." He grinned wickedly as they made their way to the kitchen. "Of course, it is entirely possible that the meeting may run long. In which case… I maaay have to cancel our dinner." He gazed up toward the ceiling faking the look of innocence.
"Do that and I will take you up on your offer to have you horsewhipped." She glared at him.
Van just laughed as he began to run toward the kitchen, pulling Hitomi along with him.
With everyone standing around a large round table in his study, Van proceeded to outline his plan to try and overcome the major setback encountered earlier that day.
"As we now know, nearly the entire northern forest rests upon a great iron ore deposit." Using a pointer, he gestured to the region on the map covering the table that represented the northern forest. "But the area along the shores of the river, as far inland as one-hundred cubits at some spots are ore free. What we need to do is see if we can turn this to our advantage."
"How my Lord?" The Minister of State asked.
"This is where I am depending upon you to try and find possible solutions. I want each of you to venture to the other kingdoms of Gaea and find out what new technologies they may have that we may be able to incorporate to overcome this problem. Let them know, that we will be willing to purchase this technology but only if they can demonstrate that it will work." He explained.
"What about the Zaibach Empire, my Lord?" Captain Cid asked. "They are by far the most technologically advanced kingdom in all of Gaea."
Van considered this for a moment then answered. "No, they are still too unstable. We will not risk drawing their attention. No, we will rely on our other, friendlier neighbors for aid in this matter."
Nodding their heads in agreement, the ministers and captains, under the guidance of their king, systematically divided up the different kingdoms and discussed whether to travel by land or sea. After about an hour, each man knew his task and bowed respectfully to the king before exited the study. The last two to leave were Ministers Charson and Baschan.
"I will leave, posthaste my Lord." The burly man slowed, as he came to the door and turned back toward the king. "My Lord, may I suggest…"
"Yes Sir Baschan?"
"Well, Lady Hitomi. Her world possesses technology vastly different from our own. Perhaps my Lord could inquire if her Ladyship could possibly investigate the matter as well; perhaps this type of problem has already been addressed on the Mystic Moon." He suggested.
Van's initial instinct was to reject the idea but remembering his earlier discussion with Hitomi, he reconsidered. "That is in excellent idea Minister. I will be sure to ask. Thank you."
Bowing once again, "My Lord." He then turned and walked out the room.
"My Lord." Sir Charson said as he turned to leave.
"One moment Minister." Van said as he put the pointer he had in his hand, down upon the map. "I would like you to do something for me."
"Yes my Lord?"
"I promised Lady Hitomi a romantic dinner for two this evening and I can think of nothing more romantic then a quiet dinner at sea under the moonlight." The king informed him.
Smiling the elderly man nodded in agreement. "I shall make the arrangements aboard the…" He paused for a moment thinking which ship would best suit the occasion, then stated. "The Freya; she is not scheduled to depart for another four days."
"That would be perfect, and perhaps some music." Van suggested.
"I can have the court musicians on the main deck while his Majesty and Lady Hitomi dine on the quarter deck?" The minister suggested.
"Mmm, too much, a string quartet would be nice." The king countered.
"Excellent suggestion my Lord." The tall, elderly man was having difficulty containing his excitement.
"Please see to it and see that Chef Salzer has all he needs aboard the ship to prepare the menu I've already given him."
"Yes, of course. I shall see to it, my Lord. Is there any other way I may be of service to you my Lord?" He offered.
"No Sir Charson, that is plenty. Thank you." The king nodded.
"My pleasure your Majesty." He bowed then turned and left the room.
Down the hall, while Lord Van and Sir Charson were still discussing plans for that evening, Sir Baschan encountered Captain Cid who was apparently waiting to speak with the minister.
"Sir Baschan, do you have a moment?" The young captain approached.
"Yes Captain, how may I be of service?" The minister offered.
"Sir Baschan, as the King's Minister of the Interior, I was curious as to your opinion of the King's plan to seek technical aid outside the borders of Fanelia." The captain inquired as he got in step with the larger man.
"It is no secret that Fanelia is not noted for its technical achievements. It would be blind arrogance to think we can overcome this problem on our own. That is why I even suggested to Lord Van that he seek aid from Lady Hitomi as well." The minister explained.
"Lady Hitomi? What would she know of such things? She is but a child." The captain frowned.
"Be careful Captain. That CHILD, as you put it, is nearly the same age as our King, and she helped Lord Van several times in the past." The minister paused for a moment. "Besides, I do not suspect she, herself would know of such things but the next time she returns to her world, she can search out the technology and return with it."
"Mystic Moon technology? That would be nearly as bad as having a queen from the Mystic Moon." The captain said with a bitter edge to his voice.
The minister stopped walking at that point. "What do you mean by that comment sir?"
Feeling a bit uncomfortable around the larger man, the captain looked from side to side, avoiding direct eye contacted but went on to say, "Surely you have heard the rumors that King Van intends to ask this girl to marry him and be his queen? It is bad enough that we have a king that is half Draconian, now to have a queen that is from the Mystic Moon. The heir to the throne of Fanelia will have but a quarter of Fanelian blood in him."
The large, burly man took a threatening step closer to the young captain. Staring daggers into the young man, he spoke. "I will do you the great favor and pretend I did not hear you say all that you just said, Captain. But if I ever hear you repeat such words again, I promise you, your heart will feel the steel of my blade." And he emphasized his threat by placing his hand upon the handle of his sword.
The young captain broke into a nervous sweat. For though the minister was not a soldier, his reputation with a sword was well known throughout Fanelia. Determining that retreat was the better part of valor, the captain bowed his head. "My apologies Minister. I clearly misspoke. It will not happen again."
"See that it doesn't Captain." Baschan warned.
"Good day Minister." Cid bowed once again then turned and left quickly.
Sir Baschan stood motionless for about a minute as he watched the young officer retreat from the palace. He was roused from his dark meditation when Sir Charson walked up beside him and slapped him on the shoulder.
"Minister? Day dreaming, are we?" The older man said with a laugh.
Releasing his sword. The Minister of the Interior turned to his old friend and mentor, and smiled. "What is it you once told me? "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.""
"So, what wisdom have you gleaned in your waking dream?" The gray-haired gentleman asked as the two walked down the hallway together.
"What do you think of Lord Van's relationship with Lady Hitomi?" He asked.
"Direct as always, my friend." Charson smiled. "I think I have never seen Lord Van as happy as when he is with Lady Hitomi. Simply the thought of her is able to bring a smile to your young King's face." Chuckling softly, the minister went on. "To tell you the truth, I cannot help but envy our King. To have the favor of such a young, beautiful, intelligent, brave and resourceful woman, I would gladly travel to the Mystic Moon and back again, many times over."
"Minister, I am afraid at your age, such a trip would be accomplished in only one direction." Baschan laughed.
"Perhaps so, but to find such a woman, what a way to go." Charson countered and laughed even louder.
Unable to shed the horse smile even with a change of clothes, Hitomi went back down to the bathhouse to bathe once again. Since she went unannounced, there was no one there this time, which was fine by her. 'Letting myself be pampered like that was kind of nice but not something I really want to grow too accustom to.' She told herself, as she stoked the furnace then pumped the well several times to get the water flowing. 'But I do want to use some of that bath oil and conditioning oil as well.' as she went about searching for the toiletries.
"Mmm, this is so nice." She whispered as she lay back in the water just barely keeping her face above the surface, while the rest of her was under the water. "I could just stay like this forever."
"But then you'd miss your romantic dinner with Lord Van." A familiar, high-pitched voice said.
Hitomi screamed as she curled up to conceal herself. "MERLE! What are you doing down here? You're supposed to be resting your leg!" She yelled as she tried to catch her breath and slow her heart.
"Are you kidding?" The catgirl said running towards the wall on all fours, she spring up bounded off one wall, onto the other and back over to the bath. "My leg is all better now. I feel fine." She grinned. "But I still smell from this morning so move over." She warned as she pulled off her dress and slipped off her sandals then dove into the water and started swimming circles around the embarrassed teen.
"I thought cats didn't like the water." Hitomi glared at the constantly moving object.
"Are you kidding? I love the water." The catgirl said as she started to backstroke.
"This is a bath not a swimming pool."
"So, lets take a bath. I'll scrub your back if you scrub mine." Merle stopped swimming and kneeled up right quickly, grabbing a bar of soap.
"No thanks, I'll wash myself." The teen grabbed the liquid soap, poured some onto her hand and worked it into her hair.
"Suit yourself." The catgirl shrugged as she started rubbing the soap all over herself, working up a rich, thick lather.
After washing, conditioning and rinsing her hair, Hitomi grabbed a washcloth and the soap crystals. Working them into the washcloth in the same manner the maid had earlier that day, she started rubbing the cloth over her body when she looked up to see her friend standing near the side of the bath. She was busily scrubbing the tops of her feet and didn't notice the teen staring at her.
"Merle is that you under there?" The teen asked.
Turning suddenly, all she could see were the catgirl's eyes and the tips of her ears protruding from a thick layer of white suds that covered the rest of her body. "What?"
Hitomi began to laugh. Then she snorted and laughed. And when the catgirl turned to face her straight on with her hands on her hips glaring daggers at her, Hitomi fell over in a fit of laughter. "You …" She laughed even louder. "You look like the abominable snow kitty!" Rolling about, the teen inadvertently took in a mouthful of water. She instantly stopped laughing and started coughing.
"Serves you right. Stupid girl." Merle stuck her tongue out at her then reached behind herself and grabbed her tail, working a good lather all over it as well.
Once she stopped coughing, Hitomi trying as best she could to not look in her friend's direction, as she went back to washing herself. But as she rinsed the soap off, she caught the sight of Merle, holding her tail, trying to use it to scrub her back. The sight was more then she could bear and she bust into laughter once again.
"Oh shut up!" Merle snapped.
"I'm sorry Merle." She snorted as she fought to contain her laughter. "Really I am." This time burying here face in her hands to hide her laughing fit.
"You're so mean Hitomi." The catgirl spun around giving the teen her back.
Finally getting control of herself, Hitomi stood up and walked over toward Merle. "I'm sorry Merle, you're right. I am being mean. Please forgive me. Here, I'll finish washing your back for you okay." She offered.
The catgirl took a step away. "No, I don't need your help. I can do it myself." And she grabbed her tail again and tried to rub it against her back.
"Here Merle let me." The teen reached out with the wash cloth still in her hand.
"Don't touch me!" The catgirl warned taking another step away.
"Fine! Suit yourself. I already apologized and offered to help." Turning the teen walked over to ledge that separated the rinse water from the wash water and she gently dove into the rinse-water side. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the warm, clean water over her body. When she heard a splash, she opened her eyes to see Merle rinsing off the thick layer of suds from her body on the wash-water side. Deciding it was best if she got out before Merle got in; Hitomi grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped it around herself. Then she walked over past the changing curtains and dried herself off. Grabbing one of the many freshly cleaned bathrobes, she put it on and walked out from behind the curtain, with her clothes and shoes under her arm. She stopped and deposited her clothes in the laundry hamper then started walking toward the door. As she suspected, Merle was now in the rinse water, thrashing about vigorously, trying to get all the soap out from her fine fur.
Stopping for a moment to face her, Hitomi said. "Merle, I am sorry. Really I am. It was wrong to laugh and I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."
The catgirl who had stopped thrashing about when she heard hear name, just stared at her wide-eyes with her wet hair concealing most of her face.
After waiting a few minutes for a response that never came, the teen added. "Well … sorry. I've got to go get ready for tonight." She said softly. "I'll see you later." And she turned to leave.
"I forgive you." The catgirl said, just as her friend reached the door.
Turning around to meet her friend's gaze, the teen smiled.
"I guess I can't blame you. I suppose I do look pretty funny when I get all suds'ed up like that." The feline said.
"Oh, maybe just a little." Hitomi gave a tiny smile as she looked up at the ceiling.
"Yeah, just a little, that's why you couldn't stop laughing." Merle said sarcastically.
"Yeah, well." She grinned.
"Oh, just give me a minute and I'll go up with you." The catgirl said, dipping her head under the water once again.
"Fine." The teen smiled. "I'll just wait outside the door. Okay?"
"Okay. I'll just be a minute." As she went back to rinsing herself.
Smiling, Hitomi turned and walked out the door. Closing it, she leaned up against the wall and smiled. "Abominable Snow Kitty. Tehehehe." She covered her mouth to stifle the laugh.
"I can hear you!" The feline yelled.
"Oops. Sorry!" The teen yelled back with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~
AN: I know you were expecting the romantic dinner but I wanted to get the first half of this chapter in first and I just have so much fun writing Hitomi and Merle, I couldn't resist having those two at it again. Next chapter will start with Hitomi and Merle again, this time while Hitomi is getting ready for her romantic dinner with her true love. The majority of the chapter will be the romantic night our two lovers have together. Remember Captain Cid. He will be rearing his evil head again, in the distant future. Whahahaha!
*Cough*Cough*Cough*
Sorry about that.
Thanks for all your comments. Speaking of comments, I often make references to movies/anime/authors in my work but I must admit the Lion King thing was not intentional on my part. It never crossed my mind. Oh, oh, oh, before I forget, thank you Fushizen na for the Edgar Allan Poe quote I used. That is the quote Sir Baschan credits to Sir Charson. Very brave of you to post your dreams on your website. Most of my dreams are pretty boring, though I did once dream I was in the mob and my guidance counselor in college was my ex-wife. That one was weird. :P
So far the Escaflowne Forum has been kinda fun. I have yet to encounter any real nasties, thank goodness.
And added note: I wanted to post this Thursday night but as I was proof reading it at 1am, I started to fall asleep. So I decided to wait till today to post it, after I had a chance to read it over again. I'm glad I decided to wait and not just go ahead and post it. Lots of silly errors. I hope I caught them all but I'm sure I probably let a few slip by. Sorry about that. Hope you enjoy this chapter. ^__^
A. Amishi