AN: Yooo I just re-read this and was like WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Luckily I had a chapter already written...it's time to dust it off cuz I will never stop loving these characters, or indulging myself hehe. Thx for subscribing & commenting! Edited 12/28/15 - fixed some consistency stuff and wording. One person asked about ages, IDK, if Chid was like 5 or 7 in the original series, I'm aging him by like six years so let's say V&H are in their early twenties? Sounds good to me. Also, I am trying to keep thoughts, dreams/visions, and previous scenes or flashbacks in ITALICS. Will be going back and getting everything consistent, as much as possible. THANK YOU FOR READING AND COMMENTING!

Ch. 11

Two days after their meeting with Apollo and his mother, Van was training with Boris in a sun filled grassy courtyard tucked within the Draconian castle. Van felt his breathing thicken in his chest; it felt like he was on top of a mountain. Boris insisted that training in such conditions would make him stronger and faster back on Gaia. So far, Van was frustrated with his inability to catch his breath. His strikes were not as fast or strong, and sweat was dripping off of him. They had started training that first night, after Apollo and the Queen had taken their leave.

"You must focus on your inner quiet, Lord Dragon. Recall the lessons Hitomi has taught you." Boris was pleading with the young King to remain composed and finish the lesson they had started. Van could not keep the earlier conversation from fueling his anger. His strikes and parries kept missing because he was not focused on the task at hand. Van was reacting in anger and fear. Boris had eventually sheathed his sword in disgust and left The Dragon to his anger.

As Van dismissed the fury of two nights before and the humiliation of Boris' departure, he took a deep breath and sucked as much air in as he was able. It still didn't feel like enough. He pictured Hitomi's swinging pendant and his mind stilled. Boris had not spoken at all yet, and his face betrayed none of his thoughts or underlying emotions. He easily stepped away from Van's explosive attack, and caught his Lord Dragon with the back of his sword. All of Van's precious breath exploded from his gut and he coughed and spat onto the grass. He swung immediately around, ignoring the pain of no oxygen, and surprised Boris with the response. Boris took the blow hard, and steel scraped and clanged. Though Boris kept his ground, Van pressed harder, his lungs screaming for air and the young Dragon was rewarded with a slight hiss as Boris' boot slipped against the grass. The swords screeched in protest and Van noticed black splotches crossing his eyes.

Finally Boris yielded, a gleam apparent in his eye that betrayed his admiration for his King's stubbornness. "Lord Dragon, you have greatly improved your acclimation to these altitudes in two days. When we return to Fanelia, we will train in the Mountain Lodge." Boris watched as Van wiped sweat from his face and breathed deeply. Van thought of the moors and forests of the mountains near Fanelia; he had not visited the Mountain Lodge since before the war with Zaibach. Since before...Hitomi. His thoughts took a sudden turn to Hitomi, she had never visited the Mountain Lodge. He wondered if she even knew of the hidden fortress.

After Boris left him, Van was sharpening his sword near to the courtyard, sitting on a low stone wall that contained a bed of strange blue flowers. The light had changed as the sun sank lower, and though it was still well before meal time, shadows were creeping in everywhere. He briefly suppressed a shiver and continued sharpening, exertion always warmed.

"Van?" A soft voice also injected heat. He looked up as Hitomi approached; he hadn't even perceived her arrival. He moved his sword out of the way so she could sit next to him. They were quiet together as he finished moving the whetstone in long, even strokes. Soon his sword was gleaming with the last of the fading light. He was watching Hitomi as he sharpened, she was always thinking, but tonight she was content to just be close to him.

He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side, she yielded happily and snuggled into the space between his arm and his chest. How was she so much smaller than he remembered? He must have added more inches to his height since summer, he wondered if his arm muscles had grown as well. She was so soft and powerless in his arms; he reveled in the feeling of being able to provide protection. Did this put meaning into his life? She surprised him by looking up directly into his eyes as he had this thought; and he thought he saw recognition in her eyes; she spoke.

"Van, I love you." She said, her pink lips parting and never quite meeting after she finished speaking. "I was watching you train, you've always been so fierce." He didn't smile but her words were like sweet honey, he felt like he could do anything with her love. He also began to redden at her praise and he ducked his head to acknowledge he heard her.

"I will always protect you, Hitomi" he managed to say. Van bent his head lower to finally close her lips with his own. She was always so warm and inviting, so open with herself and her emotions. Did she fault him for not being as open? Doubts crowded his mind and he pulled away, causing Hitomi to stare curiously at him.

She rose abruptly and stood looking up at the brilliant pink and blue sky, her hands clasped behind her and a small smile on her lips. "The sunsets are much more magnificent here than Fanelia. I wonder how Merle is doing."

Van grunted but said nothing. He held his sword and tilted it slightly back and forth, both he and Hitomi watching the dying sunlight glinting off in multiple directions. Light played off the jewels on Hitomi's fingers and around her neck and she looked down at herself for a moment, studying the different patterns. Van watched her, she seemed like she wanted to say more or talk about something. She turned around fully and smiled at him, not saying anything. Van forgot his momentary feeling of doubt and stood. As he slid his sword back into the scabbard, metal scraped leather. It reminded him of training in the mountains with Boris. There would be many herds of mountain goats this time of year, hunting would yield plentiful results for the mountain stronghold. They would stay there weeks if need be.

"Hitomi, would you go to the mountains with Boris and I?" He stood next to her, his hand cocked on his hip. Allen and Folken had just passed through the archway into the courtyard and were walking towards them. Van took Hitomi's hand in his and she looked up at him as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. "Why Boris?" she asked in confusion as she wet her lips. Van's voice came out much deeper than he would have wanted as he stared at her moistened lips: "To train. But it would be for you and I to get away together after this is over." Hitomi smiled as soon as she understood what he was asking. She nodded almost imperceptibly and then Folken was speaking.

"Young Dragon, the Queen and her son request our presence in the royal solar tonight to dine." Folken stood over them, Allen shifted his weight behind him. Van clipped his scabbard to his belt and ran his hand through his hair, "A chance for us to go over Apollo's visit that night with the Dragon. I was waiting for this personal dinner to finally clear up these shadows and determine once and for all if the Queen and Prince of Draconians are truly our allies." He spoke with such utter purpose that Folken and Allen merely nodded back at him. Van was confident this task was almost completed; with the Draconians' support and his men unquestioning, he would be able to wed the woman he loved and desired to possess entirely. Then maybe he would rest with Hitomi in the mountains, training to his heart's content and ignoring the world for a bit.

After dinner, Apollo sarcastically explained the night he had descended to Hitomi in the Forest. He had connected the secret rendezvous with the first night he met Hitomi, dropping innuendos while his mother looked disapprovingly at him. Hitomi was growing pinker and pinker at Van's side, and she hotly denied Apollo's implications before accepting part of his story. The two had walked arm in arm the night before the treaty signing, and Van vaguely remembered seeing them together before he and Hitomi-

"Your Grace, you must know what is the truth and what isn't. I think we should not be talking about this, but rather, why you sent Apollo to deliver these messages." Folken broke in, finally. Hitomi managed not to look at Apollo, and she appeared to struggle in keeping her composure. After he finished speaking, Folken stared daggers at Apollo and Van squeezed his fists closed to control himself. Would that he had his sword.

The Draconian Queen smiled at Folken and replied, "As we explained before, we have technology that identifies and measures energy transmissions from Earth to Gaia. Before Isaac rose to power in Zaibach, he worked here, among the children of the descendants of Atlantis. While he had many interesting scientific theories to share with us, he was more engaged in using our advanced machinery to produce tangible evidence of those theories. He based his machine to influence the power of will on this technology." Her icy gaze swept to her dark haired son, Apollo had not bothered to look humbled in the slightest. She continued, "Apollo has studied these different technologies at length. After Varie died, I waited. There had been terrible prophecies she and I discussed regarding you royal children. It was not until the true prophecy was able to see reality...once the Dragon sealed the wish of his love...that I could set the wheels in motion again. Apollo has been prepared most of his life to play his part but we never thought he would be lured to the One he must guide." These words hung in the air, and Hitomi did her best not to physically swipe them away. She too had felt drawn to Apollo, and he had known this and taken advantage of her confusion and unresolved heart. But she and Van had finally agreed, Van had finally admitted his devotion to her. She did not want to consider that she was still hiding things in her heart.

Apollo fidgeted uncomfortably under his mother's gaze and her insightful words as Hitomi and Van watched him. He opened his mouth but his mother raised one withered and jeweled hand, "Do not speak now, my son. Your impudence is not becoming. My son is hot tempered and dwells too much on the past; he has shared his difficulties in gaining Fanelia's trust." A flash of remorse seemed to cross the queen's face before the familiar icy glint returned to her eyes. "More simply put," the queen continued as she motioned a servant to fill her tea cup, "I could not trust anyone else and I was unable to deliver this help myself. This is only the beginning. It would not do to start something I may not finish." Hitomi perceived a brief image of the Queen in her youth, with Varie...so many years ago. The Queen was elderly, but Hitomi felt she was hinting at something larger than just old age. "Apollo may be the only surviving member of my family...if he does not wed." Hitomi watched Folken and Van exchange surreptitious glances, but neither brought up the Draconian Princess that Apollo had alluded to in Fanelia.

"These advisers," As she changed the subject, the Queen raised her cup to her lips, "You truly do not trust them? Why keep them alive?" She sipped as she waited for the answer, her eyes never leaving Folken. But it was Allen who spoke, "I have secured eyes and ears within their inner circles. We could replace them all at once, true enough, but it would look suspicious to the others we try to keep in good favor. Some of these advisers come from other kingdoms and nations, are from families that would take offense. Folken and I have agreed it is in our best interest to let them die naturally, as morbid as that sounds." Folken was sipping wine, and reached to refill his cup before he interjected, "We considered just ridding ourselves of them, but the finer points of diplomacy were important. We are rebuilding our nation, and need certain resources. Is that not why we treated with your nation in the first place?"

The old queen cocked her head like a bird, or a dragon, and responded, "What need of diplomacy does Fanelia have? Your younger brother is the last reigning Dragon...he rides the God of War into battle, what need do you have of peace?" Van smiled as he suddenly pounded a fist on his chair's arm, "I have tried to convince them hundreds of time, but still they insist. If the Queen of Draconians does not see why we should not be rid of them, then let's be rid of them!" He stood suddenly and nodded at the queen, "I accept your proposal, my Queen. You shall send Apollo in your place to serve on my council, we shall start replacing these old whitebeards with fresh blood." Apollo raised his eyebrow at Van and drawled, "I am not sure I like the sound of fresh blood." Hitomi protested quickly, and Allen's voice joined hers in unison. Both of them were in a panic that the King would blindly follow his desires, as he had done too many times before.

The queen watched their reactions, but Folken, who had not reacted to his brother as of yet, spoke; "No. The timing is not right, my Dragon. We only just signed this treaty no more than half a year ago." He set his wine glass down firmly, his cool grey eyes carefully watching the queen. The queen nodded curtly. "You are correct Folken. My heart is glad to know you are advising our young king. Apollo will serve as ambassador for now, but do not mistake his presence for authority." Her sharp eyes turned to her dark haired son, "Apollo, you will not take action without my leave. I will not have another near catastrophe such as your outburst on his Grace's engagement day." Hitomi felt ice cold eyes land on her, and she screwed up her face nervously. "My lady, I ask that you forgive my stupid son for his inappropriate actions and words, and allow him to live with you in your future castle until such day arises that we may dispose of these advisers. He will serve Fanelia, and you, well. My son is knowledgeable in much of Gaia's lore, and will only serve your purpose. He seems to bend to your will."

Hitomi and Apollo studied each other, and then Hitomi looked to Van. She knew he would be angry if she consented to this without his leave, he was the King. Before she first met him he was the Crown Prince; when they arrived together in his Gaia, he was the King by right of his Dragon Slaying. Van raised his eyebrows at her and his eyes held a light of soft confidence, she let him speak for her, "This agreement serves. The morning Hitomi sought out your son to make a peace, I told him that I wanted to continue to build legitimacy between us again. I do want to see the vision come to reality that my mother so often spoke of. If he missteps his place again, however, I will lose all trust in him, and unfortunately in you, Your Grace." The queen nodded slowly as she placed her cup and saucer on the silver tray next to her. "Let it be so, then. Perhaps loyalty is stronger than blood..." Hitomi started beside him; and Van thought the Queen's words curious. It was an unsettling resolution to their conversation.

Later in Folken's rooms, Folken had emptied his cup and was motioning for more wine, "Bring the flagon, girl." Hitomi frowned at the use of such a familiar phrase, but brought it to him. Van held out his cup, and she poured into his as well. Seeing Allen by the window, Hitomi filled two more cups and brought one to Allen, before settling into the window seat near him. Folken was brooding as he drank slowly. Next to him in a separate chair, Van too had a darkened expression. They talked quietly between them, out of Hitomi's hearing. "Hitomi" Allen said quietly next to her "Do not look so serious, it's not like you". He had a smile on his face, and his blue eyes glittered beautifully.

Hitomi frowned at him too; had he and Folken both forgot her new position? She was engaged to their king. Allen continued to smirk at her and then leaned forward to chuck her under the chin. Van's eyes were on them in an instant, Hitomi could feel him smoldering.

"Maybe we should use Hitomi to our advantage." Folken intoned suddenly, watching his brother watch Allen and Hitomi jealously. All three faces turned towards the eldest Fanel. "If you nurture whatever twisted feelings this prince has for you Hitomi, you may gain knowledge that the Queen is withholding. It could help us. You could gain unwavering loyalty.."

Van snarled in reply, "Never. What the fuck are you thinking Folken?!"

"Van-!" Hitomi admonished, listening to the threat in her beloved's voice. He turned on her then too, "Is this what you were truly after?" He spat at her, before flinging his cup down in his temper and stalking from the room before anyone could say anything else. Tense silence followed their king's exit, and Hitomi's heart clenched in agony as she watched him go.

"Folken-" Hitomi began before Folken interrupted her, "Now that he is gone, we can make plans. I love him dearly, Hitomi, but he is no Strategos." Folken again drained his cup and met her eyes, "We can use Apollo to achieve your safety and the future of our family's lineage. You must trust me in this Hitomi." Hitomi was tired of Folken's constant play with intrigue, but knew his plans usually were the safest and most effective means of achieving their intended and united goals. She too rose, much more slowly than Van. As she walked past Folken softly, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I do trust you Folken, but no more scheming today. I must go to him."