Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne. Never have, don't now, never will… Get used to it… I also don't own "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane, any Escaflowne characters, or any flashbacks from the series. However, any original character obviously belongs to me.

A/N: I feel so bad. I never update. I never finish my chapters when I say I will. I'm a horrible author. I hope that you guys still remember this fic exists… Too much schoolwork, extra things, and other fics… Wow, thanks for all the reviews!

Tears of the Heart

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go

This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

-"Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane

Chapter 6: When Hope is Lost

Months passed as Hitomi began to grow accustomed to life on the Vione. She spent her mornings training and talking with Yukari, her afternoons trying to convince Folken to open up to her, and her evenings enjoying the beauty of the unspoiled night. Yukari seemed to be regaining what little pride she had left, although the sad truth was that she continued to cry late into the night. Sometimes, Hitomi saw Dilandau looking at Yukari in an eerie way. It was not part of his usual behavior and frankly it scared her.

Folken and Hitomi spoke of old times and their many problems. She would always bring up the wrong topic, Folken wouldn't want to talk about it, and then he asked her to leave. She wished she wasn't so forward about everything. Maybe she would be able to be with him for longer durations of time without scaring him off. Despite that, the couple grew closer as the days wore on. Their romantic relationship didn't seem to improve much, but they became friends in essence. The people of Zaibach became agitated, as well as the sorcerers and the royal council. There was no hint of the empress being pregnant or the emperor even sharing a room with her, which worried everyone except Hitomi and Folken. However, Hitomi was fairly happy. She was sure that everything would turn out fine, until a certain incident occurred that ruined everything she had grown to love…

"Lord Folken, if you die heirless, what is to become of the empire? Makai is sure to take the throne once you're gone! No one wants to see that! Oh please, Lord Folken, have mercy on your kingdom and your people! Please try to grow close to the girl!" yhe head of the royal council pleaded with the emperor one afternoon.

"Who is to say that I have not grown close to her?" Folken asked solemnly, turning towards the window.

"You know what we speak of, Milord… Zaibach needs an heir! You've been married to that girl for at least half a year by now if not more, yet you still retain your separate quarters!" another councilman voiced in annoyance.

"I… I am quite fond of Hitomi, actually…" he said quietly, watching the clouds pass outside.

"She is a good friend to me. She amuses me. If a child results from our marriage, so be it. I see no reason to try to speed up the occurrence. I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Good day, Gentlemen." He exited the room, leaving the council members to shake their heads in concern.

Hitomi stood outside Yukari's door, waiting for her friend to emerge so that they could go down to breakfast together.

"Come on, Yukari! There are muffins today! You know the men will eat them if we don't hurry up! Yukari! I'm hungry!" She whined as she continued to pound on her friend's door. She was surprised when the door suddenly opened and she was pulled into the room by her collar. She was promptly slammed against the wall by a bare-chested Dilandau.

"You forget, Girl, that your little friend isn't the only one who sleeps in this room! And just so you know, it is four in the morning, a time when normal people are sleeping, not eating muffins!" Dilandau hissed.

Hitomi blinked in confusion and noticed that her watch had stopped. A bead of sweat appeared on her forehead.

"Sorry…!" she apologized in embarrassment at her error.

"Dilandau! Do you realize what time it is?! Go back to bed!" Yukari commanded tiredly. Her eyes were shut tight, making her sleepiness apparent.

"As you wish, Milady." Dilandau made a mock bow, trudging back to bed in his black boxers.

Hitomi stood in silence for a minute, before she heard the adonis's gentle snoring. He looked almost cute when he was sleeping. Too bad he seemed like a demon of the underworld when he was awake. Just then, Yukari rolled out of bed and put a finger to her lips, signaling Hitomi to be quiet. She followed the pyromaniac's wife into the couple's bathroom, watching Yukari lock the door behind them. Her friend put her ear to the door and visibly relaxed when she could still hear Dilandau's calm breathing, meaning he had not noticed her departure from his side.

"YUKARI! WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON?!" Hitomi demanded rather too loudly. Yukari slapped her hand over the brunette's mouth and pointed towards the door, where on the other side, her husband peacefully slumbered.

"I need to talk to you…" Yukari whispered urgently, her eyes darting side-to-side, as though she was sure that they were being watched by some unseen foe.

"Well, obviously!" Hitomi shot back, annoyed at all the sneaking around.

"Hitomi… Please… It's really important…" The pleading look in her friend's deep brown eyes made Hitomi instantly shut up.

"What I'm about to tell you, you can never tell anyone! Not Yuushi, not Ari, not Folken, not even Dilandau…"

"Not even your own husband can know? What kind of trouble are you in, Yukari?" Hitomi asked in a somewhat surprised tone. She knew that Dilandau certainly wasn't the ideal husband, but she had been hoping that the two were to the point where they could at least tolerate one another.

"I can't tell him…" Yukari whispered, lowering her head as her eyes wavered.

Hitomi saw a tear run down her best friend's cheek and she was instantly concerned. She was afraid to tell him. This had to be something big.

"Yukari… What is it?"

"You know that I've been going to the healer every week since I started getting a strange stomach sickness?"

"Yes, you're always complaining that she gives you that disgusting tonic that tastes like shit and that she might as well just poison you instead!" Hitomi grinned at the familiar ritual.

"Well, I went to her yesterday, and she ran some tests… Then she told me-"

"Told you what?" Hitomi asked with increasing dread. Was Yukari going to die? Whatever was wrong with her, it apparently was worse than they had feared.

"She told me… She told me that I'm pregnant."

Hitomi shrieked in glee.

"Oh, Yukari! I'm so happy for you! I'm even happy for Dilandau! Can you imagine that? Does this mean that I get to be a godmother! Oh, Yukari! I'm so excited!" She saw her friend's sober expression and immediately ceased celebrating the good news. "Why aren't you smiling?"

"Because… I knew that it was bound to happen… I'm pregnant with Dilandau's child…"

"But Yukari! You get to have a baby! That excites most people! Who cares if it's his? It's yours too! Thankfully for the poor child…"

"Think about it, Hitomi! Does Dilandau seem like the fatherly type to you?!" She exclaimed.

"Don't you realize that this is the end? I can't go back to Amano now, carrying another man's baby! It was bad enough that I had to sleep with that monster, but now that this has happened, I'm stuck with him forever!" She broke down, sobbing as Hitomi knelt down to hug her.

"Yukari… Shh… It's okay…" she whispered softly, trying to comfort the red-haired girl. "Well, it may seem cruel, but Yukari, our main purpose is to provide Folken and Dilandau with heirs. Perhaps they'd let you leave after the child was born?"

"I could never leave my baby in the hands of these monsters… Besides, Dilandau would never let me leave."

"I guess that was a bad idea. How could any mother abandon her child? I'd miss your company, too."

"What should I do, Hitomi? What should I do?" she asked in a pitiful manner.

"Yukari, you have to tell him. No matter how much it hurts… He's the father and he has the right to know…" Hitomi advised, though she regretted having to speak this painful truth.

"But that's just it… If he knew, he'd be furious! He'd act like I got pregnant on purpose just to end his days of freedom! As if! As much as I hate how it was conceived… It's still my child… I don't want to lose this baby… I don't want Dilandau to hurt it…" She whispered, hugging herself.

"Yukari, it's his child! Why would he want to harm his own child? Your baby is his heir! Everyone will be thrilled! It'll make my situation with them even worse!"

"You know, Yukari, other people need to use this bathroom too…" Dilandau interrupted.

"Oh no… Did he hear me?" Yukari squeaked in dread.

"No, of course not. Get a hold of yourself!" Hitomi commanded, dragging her out the door.

"Remember, Hitomi, you can't tell anyone!" Yukari reminded her sternly.

"I promise…" Hitomi replied softly before she left, placing her hand on Yukari's shoulder reassuringly.

I promise… Little did she know that the father-to-be was very much aware of the existence of his child.

Good day, Gentlemen." He exited the room, leaving the council members to shake their heads in concern.

"Hurry, Milady! You mustn't keep Lord Folken waiting!" Ari hurried the green-eyed girl along, throwing food into a hamper for her rendezvous with her husband. Folken and Hitomi were going on a picnic, after much henpecking on Hitomi's part. And now Hitomi was late. She tried on dress after dress after dress, all to the combined disapproval of the two ladies. As Folken's wife, she naturally had an unlimited wardrobe. Laces, frills, and jewels adorned her many dresses, gloves, shoes, and tiaras. Hitomi smirked whenever she saw Makai's wife's piercing glares sent her way.

You won't be wearing clothing half as nice until your funeral… She thought viciously. Her dislike of the vain, selfish wife of Makai grew with each passing day.

She tried on dinner gowns, her opera outfit, casual clothes, and finally settled on a green sun dress with a matching ribbon and brown sandals. She grabbed the full hamper and raced outside.

"Have a good time, Lady!" Ari called after her, waving.

She panted as she left the docked Vione and ran through the Asturian fields. She laughed, twirling around amongst the endless flowers. She fell flat on the grass and sneezed when a butterfly landed on her nose. She closed her eyes and smiled contentedly.

"Are you planning on getting up anytime today?" Folked asked, with a hint of a smile on his lips.

"If it's fine by you, Milord, I think that I'll stay here awhile!" She replied jokingly, closing her eyes and inhaling the myriad of scents surrounding her.

He lifted her up with his metal arm and she shrieked, "Hey! Let go of me, Folken! Let me go!"

"I'm hungry." He justified his behavior, dragging her under the shade of a nearby tree and promptly dropping her on her behind.

"Ugh! What treatment! And of your wife, nonetheless!" Hitomi griped in a teasing manner. She unpacked their lunches and they sat in the grass, Folken staring at the newly rebuilt city of Palas, Hitomi gazing with admiration at the most beautiful blue sky she'd ever seen.

"It's amazing really…" He commented.

"Yes, it is…" She replied, thinking that he shared in her wonder at the endless sky above them.

"It has been rebuilt after the fires, yet it is still as beautiful as it was before…" He said wistfully.

The sky burning? Does he mean the sunset…? It does seem to burn before dark and be born again in a pastel sky the next morning… Hitomi decided that this was what he meant and appreciated Folken's "unique interpretation" of the situation.

"Yes, look at the clouds… They're such a beautiful shade of white…"

What is she talking about? Maybe she means the clouds of people… He seriously doubted that one, but what else could she be talking about? He observed the noisy townspeople almost crushing each other while trying to get through the marketplace. The vast majority of them were not in the least bit beautiful, but most were indeed pale. A whaleman suddenly walked through the fields in front of them, waving in a friendly manner before continuing on his way to the capital. Hitomi flinched a bit before turning away. Folken laughed. Some things he doubted she'd ever get used to.

Are we even talking about the same thing? Folken suspected this could be the case and quickly tested his theory to see if they were on the same page.

"Kind Aston died you know. When he found out that both of his daughters had perished, he couldn't bear to live any longer. It is said that he poisoned himself. He tried the same thing when Queen Therese died after Millerna was born, but the healers revived him. King Aston was a cruel man and a shrewd negotiator, but I believe that he truly did care for those girls in some way, shape, or form, despite how he may have acted." Folken said in his usual cold tone, closing his eyes as though remembering things he'd forgotten.

"King Aston… He let Meiden kidnap me… He tried to kill Van… He would have let his own grandson die without lifting a finger… I… I don't think that I can ever forgive him for all the horrible things he did…" She shuddered slightly, remembering the war she had known on her first visit to Gaea and all of the problems that shell of a man had brought upon innocent people.

"No, he certainly wasn't known for his ethics…" Folken agreed, nodding slightly.

"But Folken… What does that have to do with the sky?" She asked him out of the blue, rather confused on how their conversation had gone from clouds to King Aston.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought that it might interest you." he excused himself.

"On a different subject, I, for some god-forsaken reason, 'gave' Asturia to Dilandau. He forces some fool to take care of the grunt work with one of his men watching to make sure everything checks out. He collects the taxes and pretty much can do whatever he wants with it. Dilandau usually vacations there when he's off duty. He told me that he was planning on staying there during his next break and taking Yukari with him if she'd shut up long enough for him to ask her to go." The edge of his mouth curled slightly in a smile.

"Really? I think that's great, Folken. Perhaps they aren't doomed to loathe each other till death do they part. It would be nice if they at least got along. I guess divorce is unheard of here. I'm sure Yukari would get one if she could."

"A divorce? What's that?"

"Well that answers that question…" Hitomi muttered.

"A divorce occurs when two people who are married decide to split up. Go their separate ways, start their own lives, you know. Sometimes because of abuse, infidelity, or unhappiness. Sometimes couples are married for years and only then realize that they never really loved each other to begin with. It's sad really. In my world, many people get divorced. For example, in my country, a divorce occurs every 2.5 minutes. And in the United States, 1 out of every 2 marriages ends in divorce. People just seem to rush blindly into marriage these days…" She looked away from him. If she looked deep within her heart, she knew that she would have asked for a divorce from Folken by now. While he might be a good friend and companion, they shared no romantic interest in each other.

"Yes, that sounds like something Yukari would be interested in. However, I'd like it very much if they were in love. Perhaps then they'd be happy." Folken said softly, staring off into the sky. "He asked me if I would like to accompany him."

"To Asturia? Are you going?" Hitomi asked, slightly disappointed. She had hoped that on Folken's brief vacation from the endless task of being Zaibach's ruler that they could spend some time together without work and interruptions.

"Yes, I think I will. He also commented, 'You should bring your wench along so that mine can jabber with yours instead of bitching to me all hours of the day.' So, would you like to come? If not, I'll just have Ari look after you. It would only be for a few weeks."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Folken. I would love to see Palas again. It was nice of you to offer to let me come." She smiled at him and he felt an odd unexplainable sensation within his chest. The feeling faded as he saw her brow furrow.

"I just can't believe that Eries, Dryden, Millerna and even King Aston… are gone…" She whispered in regret, hugging herself. It just doesn't seem fair. I'm sick of it. I don't want to see it anymore. This is why I left Gaea. There are never happy endings on this cursed planet. Princess Eries loved Allen, but he never saw her as anything more than Millerna's less-attractive older sister and the little sister of his true-love, Marlene. Merle wanted Van to love her in the way that she loved him, but he never could. Duke Freid loved Marlene, but she already loved Allen. Naria and Eriya loved you so much that they were willing to die to keep you safe. Gaou and Varie were deeply in love, but the people of Fanelia only saw Varie as a cursed Draconian that should be destroyed. Dryden loved Millerna more than anything, yet she couldn't see past Allen, who only saw her as a replacement for Marlene. Yukari loved Amano, but she can never have him…"

And I… I love Van… But he is destined to love another… Someone prettier, smarter, and worldlier than me. Someone who is truly worthy of being his queen… But still I… I wish… She trailed off within her mind.

"Hitomi, love is doomed to perish from the start. That's why it's better to be alone. That way… you can never get hurt…" He said softly.

"But Folken. What if… what if it made you very happy?" Hitomi asked softly.

"Happiness is something few are likely to find in this life or another… War is the only way to find what we're looking for."

Thank you, Mr. Sunshine. Hitomi thought sarcastically.

"But why? Why must war and conflict destroy the bonds that tie people together? Why…?" Hitomi asked in a desperate manner.

"Hitomi… We have to fight… If we don't fight, we die, if we do fight, the other side has losses. The basic rule of war is based upon the fact that someone must die…" he stated matter-of-factly.

"But Folken! I have a chance to be a godmother! Yukari is going to have Dilandau's child! I don't want her child to grow up without a father because Dilandau goes off and gets himself killed in battle! I don't want any more bad things to happen!" she sobbed, unaware that she'd just broken her promise.

"Y-Yukari's with child?" Folken stuttered in disbelief. He quickly regained his composure. "I assume that Dilandau doesn't know."

"You assume correctly." Hitomi replied, still shivering. Folken removed his cloak, draping it around her. It fell about her loosely.

"I don't think that it's my color," she commented with a weak smile. "I have one last question for you, Folken. What's the point of life if you have no one to share it with?" She handed the cloak back to him and pecked him on the cheek before gathering their discarded picnic supplies and heading back to the castle.

Folken's mind was clouded as he stood there, barely noticing that Hitomi had run off.

"So Dilandau and Yukari are going to be parents…" he mused aloud, having trouble voicing that strange thought. "And our plot takes yet another little twist…" he muttered, staring off into the sky.

"Dilandau…" Folken summoned the crimson-eyed boy into his study.

"Yes, how may I serve you, Lord Folken?" He kneeled on the floor. Something was troubling him. He never acted this stiff and formal with Folken.

"Get up. There is no need for formalities. You know me, Dilandau. I hate formalities." Folken muttered.

"Whatever you say, Strategos." Dilandau smirked, getting up off the ground.

"I have summoned you here to congratulate you. You must be a very proud and happy man." Folken said solemnly.

"What are you talking about?" Dilandau asked in bewilderment, genuinely having no idea what Folken was referring to.

"You're going to be a father. I know that you know. You've been strutting around like a peacock all week. That doesn't help your case." Folken replied, looking out the window.

"Yes, I suppose you've found me out, Strategos. I know that you're quite good at this sort of game, but tell me, how exactly did you find out?" Dilandau asked coolly, closing his eyes and leaning against the wall.

"Let's just say that a little bird told me." Folken replied emotionlessly.

"Oh, your wench told you. That girl of mine told her, and she has yet to tell me! Can you believe it?" To Folken's surprise, Dilandau looked very angry over the matter.

"With your attitude, I hardly blame her." Folken commented.

"It's my child as much as hers, damn it! I should have been the first one informed. How she plans on keeping it a "secret," I don't rightfully know. She gets fatter every day!" Dilandau shot back hot-headedly.

"You overwhelm me with your charm. Then, how exactly did you find out, Dilandau? According to you, Yukari hasn't told you and I seriously doubt that you and Hitomi converse unless you're insulting one another."

"I overheard the bitches talking about it. I couldn't sleep with their endless jabbering, so I went over to tell them to shut up. Then I heard her blubbering about being pregnant and I just listened. I couldn't help it. Damn it, I never find out anything on this ship unless I accidentally overhear it." Dilandau exclaimed in an exasperated tone, preparing to leave the room. Before he could, Folken made one last comment.

"Despite the fact that you curse her and never call her by name, I'm beginning to think that you've grown rather fond of Yukari."

Dilandau was about to say something smart, but processing his thoughts, changed his mind. He had grown much closer to Yukari in the past six months. She didn't think so, but he felt a connection to her that scared him. It used to be fun hurting her, trying to get a rise out of her. For some reason, that had lost its pleasure. He no longer enjoyed humiliating her. What was wrong with him? It wasn't love, so what was it? What had that witch done to him? Perhaps he would decide to leave her behind when he vacationed in Asturia. He had to admit it though. As sickening as it was, he had grown fond of the hot-headed, red-haired girl. She challenged him and he couldn't help but admire her for it.

"Yes…" he muttered in a rather startled tone. When had this happened? "Yes, I believe that I am…" He walked out the door, confused beyond all belief. He usually felt that way after conferences with Strategos.

The tea tray Hitomi was holding crashed to the ground. It shattered to pieces at her feet, yet she paid it no mind as her eyes widened with horror at what she'd just overheard. She hadn't meant to listen in. She was coming to have tea with Folken. When she found that the door was locked she had prepared knock when she heard voices. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her and she had eavesdropped in on the conversation. Now she knew the horrible truth.

"Dilandau knows… He knows about the baby…" she whispered.

The man in question emerged from the room, glaring at her as she stared back at him in a paralyzed state.

"Clean up this mess!" he commanded in annoyance, eyeing the spillage before walking off.

"He knows…" she whispered as she watched him, knowing that no good could come of this.

A/N: Another chapter is complete. I hope that you guys enjoyed it! I'm sorry that the chapters come out so infrequently. Check my profile for news on what fics I'm working on. I love writing this fic so much and I want to thank you all for your support. Now here's an oh-so-wonderful preview of the next chapter…

Next Time On "Tears of the Heart":

Yukari rocked back and fourth, softly humming a lullaby to her unborn child. All of a sudden she heard a faint beeping noise and jerked her head in surprise, noticing that the sound was coming from her dufflebag in the corner. She dropped the baby cap she had been working on, walking over to investigate. She flung various clothes, mementos, schoolwork, and track gear out of the bag until she found what she was looking for.

"It's my pager…" Yukari exclaimed in excitement, amazed that it still worked so far from home.

WHERE ARE YOU YUKARI? It read across the screen.

"It's… It's from Amano…" She whispered in disbelief, staring at the message in wonder.