Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

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

Chapter 66

In Hitomi's chambers

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"Where would you like these placed Ma'Lady?" The young chambermaid asked, holding a small stack of shawls neatly folded in her arms.

Hitomi turned from the chifforobe where she was hanging the last of what had been Queen Vari's dresses. "Oh, place those in the third drawer on the right." She instructed, pointing at the dresser.

It had taken several hours to have all the articles cleaned and pressed before they were ready to be put away. As excited as Hitomi had become while going through the beautiful garments, she realized that it would take some time for her to properly grow into most of them. While Queen Vari was not a large woman, she was most definitely a mature woman, unlike Hitomi, whose body was still growing and maturing.

The teen from the Mystic Moon looked around the room and smiled. The addition of two tapestries that were now hanging on either side of the large bay window, the cedar chest at the foot of the bed, the chair by the window and the royal blue changing curtain with gold and white trim which she had hung in place of the pink and crimson curtain that was previously in the room, added with all the new Asturian furniture, gave her room a personality of its own, a personality more akin to its young occupant.

"Is there anything more you need of me Ma'Lady?" The maid asked.

"No, thank you Tamarii. You were a big help, really." She smiled as the maid curtsied and left the teen to herself.

Slowly, Hitomi walked around the room, running her fingers over each item, ending at the chair next to the window. Running her fingers over the back of the chair, she smiled and walked around to the front of it. Sitting down on it, her smile grew. It wasn't a terribly comfortable chair but it wasn't uncomfortable either. She sat back into it and closed her eyes as she drew in a deep breath. Almost instantly, a vision appeared to her mind's eye. Images of Van as a young boy, sitting on his mother's lap, smiling as she pointed out the different stars visible out her window. Images of him as a newborn baby in his mother's arms as she gently nursed him while sitting in this chair. All these memories and more came to Hitomi, causing her to sigh softly as a gentle smile appeared on her face. Unconsciously, she folded her arms under her breasts. These were followed by images of another young boy, a little taller than Van with light colored hair, also smiling while sitting on his mother's lap.

"Folken." Hitomi whispered. 'She loved you so, so very much. You reminded her so much of your father, the man she was born to love.'

She sighed quietly as the image in her mind slowly changed to one of Vari sitting alone in the chair, staring out the window as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"So much loss, first her husband and then her son. Oh Vari, it was more than your tender heart could endure."

Tears began to well up in the young teen's eyes as she not only saw, but felt the deep, dark sorrow suffered by the queen. The sadness soon became too much for Hitomi and she doubled over, covering her face with her hands as she wept uncontrollably. Time lost all meaning as she was swallowed up by the pain and sorrow in her heart. It was as if Queen Vari's sadness had continued to grow and intensify over the years and now with her unique abilities, Hitomi was receiving it all, unchecked.

"So much loss, so much pain, first Gaou, then Folken. I can't take it. I can't take it anymore." She cried out as she wailed in emotional agony. 'Someone save me, someone save me from this pain from this sadness…please… please…please…'

Suddenly she felt a pair of hands take hold of her arms just below the shoulder and pull her out of the chair, and into a strong embrace. With her face pressed against her rescuer's chest, she softly whispered over and over. "Please…please…please…please…"

After several minutes, the words of her rescuer slowly broke through the fog that had trapped her mind in a blanket of sorrow and loss. "It's all right Hitomi. I'm here for you. I'll protect you. It's all right now."

Gradually, Hitomi's senses returned to normal. With her cheek and hands pressed against her rescuer's chest, she could make out the familiar red shirt, and the familiar scent of the meadows that was his scent. "Van…" Slowly, she looked up into his sympathetic eyes. "Van." Her lips quivered as tears began streaming down her cheeks. "Van!" She cried out as she wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her cheek into his chest once again. The young king held his true love close, gently stroking the back of her head and as he whispered, "I'm here for you Hitomi. Everything's going to be all right. I'm right here."

"Here, drink this." Van handed her a cup as he sat next to her on her bed.

She took a drink of the tea and grimaced. "That tastes awful." She replied as she lowered it to her lap.

"It will help calm your nerves." Van explained as he gently raised the cup in Hitomi's hands back up to her lips so she could take another drink.

Grudgingly, she obliged, taking a long drink that left her with less than half a cup. Setting the cup back down on her lap, she stole a glance at Van who was still looking at her with a great deal of concern. "I feel so foolish. I'm sorry I've worried you so." She looked down at her lap.

"There's nothing to apologize for." He gently ran his hand down Hitomi's back. "But I think it may be a good idea to get rid of the chair." He suggested.

"NO!" She looked up at him with a start. "I mean," She turned away suddenly, still embarrassed over what happened earlier. "That chair is full of memories, sad ones yes, but wonderful memories as well. I just wasn't ready to handle so many sad emotions, is all; I won't make that mistake again." She assured him.

"I just don't want to see you suffer, see you get hurt." The king said, his hand still on her back offering comfort and warmth.

Turning back to face him once again, the girl from the Mystic Moon smiled and said, "Thank you Van. Thank you for saving me, and thank you for your concern."

"No thanks are necessary." He smiled as he stared into her eyes.

As if drawn to him like a magnet, the emerald-eyed girl stared back into his eyes and slowly leaned closer toward him. He mirrored her actions until their lips were just a breath away from each other. Slowly, they closed their eyes as their lips started to make contact.

Suddenly, from the doorway, a loud familiar voice called out. "Lord Van! The carriage is ready!" Seeing her king and her friend engaged in a kiss, just moments before they turned to stare at her, Merle's eyes went wide. "Oops!" She slapped her hands over her mouth. Moving them slightly, she added. "Sorry." Then she turned and headed back down the hallway, red-faced with embarrassment.

A small grin played across both their faces as Van and Hitomi stared at the now vacant doorway. Turning back toward Van, she asked. "Carriage?"

"To take us to the harbor to see the fleet off." He answered.

"Oh, right, your ministers and captains leave on their mission today." She replied. "Well, we better go then."

But before she could rise from the bed, Van, whose one hand was still on her back, raised his other hand and gently touched her cheek, causing her to turn toward him once again. Without any further hesitation or words, Van leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips onto hers. Releasing an almost silent moan, Hitomi leaned toward him as well in anticipation of a deeper kiss, which followed only a second later. Moaning a bit louder this time, the teenage girl partially opened her mouth and lightly brushed her tongue over his lips. The young king duplicated her actions as he drew closer to her and with the hand behind her back pulled her closer to him. And in the midst of their kiss, Hitomi whispered, "tea."

It took a moment for it to register with Van what she said and meant but he eventually ended the kiss, backed away slightly, and looked down to her lap, he saw she was still holding the cup of tea in her hands. "Do you need to change?" He asked curiously.

"No, fortunately it didn't spill." She smiled.

Taking the cup from her and taking her hand into his, Van stood up and helped Hitomi off the bed as well. "I guess we really should be going." He smiled at her.

"I guess you're right." She smiled back as they stood next to the bed for several seconds staring into each other's eyes.

Finally, Hitomi broke the silence, "Shall we go?"

"Right." Van replied as he turned and headed for the door, still holding her hand. Walking down the hall, the young king slowed when he spotted one of the maids. "Here," was all he said as he held out the cup for her.

"Yes my Lord." She took the cup and curtsied.

Hitomi stared at him for a moment as they continued to walk. Noticing this he inquired, "Is something wrong?"

"You didn't even say thank you." She observed.

He stared at her for a moment, unsure of what she was referring to then he quickly glanced back at where the maid had been. "You mean that?"

"Yes, that." She replied.

"She's a servant. That's her job." He responded.

"Job or not, it doesn't hurt to show a little gratitude even for something as trivial as taking a cup." She reasoned.

Taken aback by the teen's lecture, Van allowed a small grin to appear on his face as he acknowledged, "You're right. It doesn't hurt to show a little gratitude. I'll try to remember that in the future."

She smiled up at him and held his hand a little tighter.

Standing at the head of the pier, Van, Hitomi and Merle watched all but one of the merchant ships set sail to distant parts of the continent. The sight of the five ships, though modest in size, was still something to behold as they sailed to the outlet that would take them to the sea.

The silence was broken when Merle asked. "Why is the Freya still docked?"

"Sir Charson is traveling by land to the Asturian outpost of O Baluarte, there he will charter an airship and proceed to Freid." Van explained.

"Can't he sail to Freid?" Hitomi asked.

"Yes, but Freid is at the far end of the continent. Most of the others would be back before he even arrived there. This way he saves time and doesn't tie up a ship for months."

Nodding their understanding, all three went back to watching the ships sail away.

As the ships sailed from sight, the small party made their way back to the carriage.

"Can I sit on top Lord Van?" The catgirl asked enthusiastically.

"Sure Merle." He replied with a smile.

"Thank you Lord Van." And with that she mounded up the side of the carriage and sat catlike on top, just behind and to the right of the driver. The vassal, who rode next to the driver opened the carriage door and bowed humbly. After assisting Hitomi into the coach, Van stepped up and into it as well then turned as the vassal closed the door behind him and said, "Thank you Hector."

The servant stared at his king for a moment, shocked at what he just heard.

"Is there something wrong Hector?" Van looked back at him.

"N-no your Majesty." He bowed low and stayed down, too embarrassed to look back up. "Nothing at all your Majesty." He quickly straightened and rushed to take his position next to the driver.

As the carriage started heading back to the castle Van gave Hitomi a look. She stared back wide-eyed with a big silly grin on her face. "I guess it will take them awhile to get used to it."

Van returned a simple smile and sat back next to her taking her hand into his and interweaving his fingers with hers. Leaning over a bit he kissed her forehead then sat back again. Hitomi slid a little closer to him and rested her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes and enjoying the sensation of being this close to the man she loved.

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AN: I was in such a rush to post my last chapter that I forgot to include author's notes. :P I'm sure they weren't missed but I've grown so accustom to writing them that I figured I might as well continue. ^_^ I'm glad you liked my last chapter. I was hoping to make this chapter darker but I got myself to a point where I couldn't help but lighten things up again. There will be a few chapters in the near future focusing on the emissaries from Fanelia and their efforts to secure the technology to help Van realize his dream for his kingdom. But don't worry, I won't go without a regular dose of V/H in each chapter.

Thank you for wonderful comments on my last chapter. I'm so very glad you liked it. I hope you like this one as well.

You're words of encouragement is what keeps me updating this story more frequently then any of my other stories. Thank you all so very much. ^_^

A. Amishi