Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Escaflowne: All you need is love, isn't it?

Chapter 76

Fanelia Castle

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As the king of Fanelia entered the courtyard, one of his sergeants approached him.

"Your Majesty." He bowed. "The men and I were wondering… if it would meet with your Majesty's approval, of course…" He hesitated, his body betraying any sense of confidence the young soldier tried to present.

"Out with it already. Don't take all day." The young king snapped.

"Well, your Majesty," The soldier bowed again. "You see, the components for our new guymelefs arrived from Asturia yesterday. And the men and I were wondering if we might take this time to work on them… rather than… well rather than…"

The king cut him off. "Rather than your training."

"Yes, your Majesty." He bowed once again.

The king's stern expression softened somewhat as he looked over at the guymelef holding bays which had remained empty since the Zaibach attack. A half smile crossed his face as he turned his attention back toward his sergeant. "I suppose missing only one day of training won't hurt anyone too much as long as you use your time effectively working on the new guymelefs, and you'll all be ready to work doubly hard tomorrow."

The sergeant smiled widely and bowed deeply. "Yes sire, as you say my Lord." He bowed a second time, even lower than the first.

"I do ask for one thing. Send one of the men down to the stables. I wish to go for a ride this morning." The king informed him.

"Yes my Lord, I'll see to it myself." The soldier said very enthusiastically. Then he turned and went over to the other men to relay the good news. They cheered happily then gave a cheer for their king.

Arriving down at the stables, Van found his stallion saddled and ready to go. He mounted his horse and turned him about, informing the stable hand that he would be back by midday, then he rode off.

He rode along the path leading to the harbor, enjoying the scenery and wondering, 'Hitomi, in all the times you ran this way, did you ever take the time to just enjoy the view along this path? I'm sure you did. Yes, I'm certain you did.' He smiled to himself as he rode.

As he came to the clearing, he noticed someone. Riding closer, he quickly realized that it was Merle, running on the track he had built for Hitomi. He approached slowly and quietly not wanting to disturb his childhood friend as she ran.

Hearing one of the harbor man who was sitting behind the timekeeper's table yell, "GO," Van paid close attention as the catgirl raced down the length of the track on all fours. Watching her expression as she ran past him, the young king saw the determination and focus with which Merle ran with.

"She looks so much like Hitomi. The way she's totally focused on her goal." He whispered to himself. Seeing her cross the finish line, Van looked back over at the timekeeper's table and saw the stop clock show a time of 13.36 seconds. He smiled then looked back over at the catgirl who had slowed down and was now walking back to the starting line.

The harbor man called out. "Thirteen point thirty six seconds! Congratulations Miss Merle, that is your best time yet!"

"Thanks!" She waived back with a smile, then whispered to herself. "But not even close to Hitomi's time." She continued to breathe deeply, looking down at the starting line. As her breathing returned to normal, Merle looked down the length of the track and quickly spotted the man she loved. "Lord Van!" She called out with a smile as she ran over to him. Drawing close to him, she leapt into his arms and licked his face. "I'm so glad to see you Lord Van." She smiled.

"Easy Merle, it's not like you haven't seen me in days." He countered, instinctively wrapping his arms around her and holding her close as she continued to lick his face.

"But it has been days Lord Van. Four days to be precise, since I've seen you. You've made yourself so scarce, half the time no one even knows where you are or where you've been." She informed him, resting her cheek against his chest. "I've been so worried about you Lord Van, so very worried." Her tone grew serious and sad. "So very worried."

"Has it really been that long?" Van's expression grew just as serious. "I'm sorry Merle, I had no idea." Slowly, he allowed himself to sit down on the side of the track.

Feeling him do so, Merle unwrapped herself from him and kneeled down next to him. "Oh Lord Van, there's no reason to apologize, I'm just glad to see you smiling again." She gave him a soft smile that expressed both her concern for him and her joy at seeing him again.

Van ran his hand gently across the catgirl's cheek. "Oh Merle, but I am sorry… for making you worry so. But I'm doing better now."

Feeling something odd run across her cheek, Merle looked down and took her king's hand. "Lord Van, did you make this?"

The young king nodded.

"From Hitomi's hair? From her hairbrush, of course." She smiled.

"I know it must seem silly…" He started to say, blushing just slightly.

"No, no, it's not silly, not at all. It's just like what your mother did for you all those years ago before she went on that journey. Where did she and your father go again? I can't seem to remember." She wiped a joyful tear from her eye.

Van chuckled softly, "To tell you that truth, I don't remember either, but I remembered the bracelet she made me. It warmed my heart each time I looked at it; just knowing I had it. It was all I needed to know she was always with me and would soon return." Looking down at the braided ring on his finger, he continued. "I guess I'm just hoping this will make me feel the same way about Hitomi."

"I'm sure it will Lord Van." Merle clasped her hand over his and smiled up at him. "In fact, I'm certain of it."

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Van asked, "So what exactly are you doing here Merle?"

"Oh, well, I promised Hitomi I'd keep practicing so I could be a better training partner for her. My times are improving but I'm still not as fast as Hitomi is. I guess I have lots more training to do." She explained.

Just then the harbor man came over and respectfully interrupted. Bowing to his king, he said, "Pardon the intrusion, my Lord."

"Not at all." Van nodded.

Turning his attention toward the catgirl, he continued. "Miss Merle, I'm afraid I will not be able to assist you any longer. My foreman is signaling me to return to my duties. I do apologize."

"That's all right. Thanks for all your help." She smiled and waved at him as he turned to leave. Turning toward her king she asked. "Lord Van, do you think you can operate the timer for me?" She clasped her hands together and looked up at him with her pouty big eyes.

Van laughed as he ruffled her hair. "Sure Merle, I'd be happy to." With that, they both stood up and walked over to their respective stations.

"Are you ready!" Van called out to Merle.

She nodded her head then waved her hand over her head before getting down into the starting block.

"SET!" He held his hand just above the start button.

"GO!" And in that same instant, Van pressed the start button and Merle launched herself out of the starting block.

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AN: Whew, this is the first time I've finished two chapters of this story in one week in quite some time. ^_^

I hope you enjoyed this little look at life without Hitomi in Fanelia. The focus will go back to the Ministers and Captains in the next few chapters, then back to Hitomi and Van.

Thanks for the reviews on my last chapter. I hope you enjoy this one just as much. It will take me a little longer to get the next chapter out, but hopefully still less then a week.

Thank you all again for all your support and a very special thank you to my new beta-reader, Janice. ^_^

A. Amishi