Disclaimer: I only own Arathnia, and the characters from there. I do not own Escaflowne, even though I wish I did.

* mark dream sequences.

The Past, Future, and Somewhere in Between

Chapter 3 ~ Return to Fanelia

Hitomi opened her eyes when the floating sensation had ceased. She stretched her muscles before looking around to inspect her surroundings. She found herself in a forest. In that instant, she looked up at the sky and saw the moon and the Earth adorned in the otherwise vacant night sky. A smile crept it's way onto her face, she knew that she had found her way back to Gaea. Upon deeper and closer inspection of the area she found herself in, Hitomi concluded that she had landed exactly where her and Van had landed over threes years previously. The familiarity of the situation brought back fond memories of the young king. The sound of rustling caused her to turn her head. She already had a sneaking suspicion who it was. Yukari emerged from some bushes her bag held tightly to her, and leaves stuck in her now unruly hair. Her friend looked extremely confused and frightened.

"Wh...Where are we?" She stammered staring wide-eyed at the sight of the two moons hanging in the sky.

Hitomi stood, and brushed off the back of her sweatpants. "I think we are just outside the village or Arzas. That is what Van told me the last time we landed here," Hitomi replied surprising herself with how much she recalled from her initial expedition to Gaea.

"Ar...Arzas?" was Yukari's stuttered response as she looked around the heavily forested area.

Hitomi nodded, "Yeah. If we start moving now, we should be able to reach the Capitol by midday. Well, that is if my memory serves me correctly, and I can find my way in the dark," She explained hefting her bag up onto her shoulder.

Yukari nodded hesitantly, but trusting that her friend wouldn't feed her false information about this strange land. "Is it safe?" She asked cautiously.

"Oh yeah," Hitomi said with a nod, "It's almost smooth sailing," She stated as she bean to walk.

"Almost?" She cried clinging onto her bag like it was a life raft, but following her friend none the less.

Hitomi scoffed at her friend's panicked behavior. "Odds are if we run into anything, it will be the wolf-people, and they would most likely help us," She explained walking faster than she had originally intended. She wanted to reach the Capitol as soon as she possibly could.

"Wolf people!" Yukari cried stopping in her tracks.

Hitomi shook her head in annoyance, "Just trust me Yukari. We'll be fine," She assured her friend.

Yukari gulped, but nodded looking at her surroundings once more. "For your sake, I hope you're right."

The sun had risen hours ago and the meager amount of sleep that the two girls had gotten the night before being swept off to Gaea was no where neat the quota they required for the amount of walking they were doing. Exhaustion and fatigue were quickly settling in on the two friends. It felt as though they would never reach the Capitol. It just seemed impossible. However, just as all hope seemed lost, Hitomi let out a high pitched squeal of excitement. They had reached the Capitol gates. It was a new surprise, but if Van found the walls and gates necessary, it was his business, not hers.

"Come on Yukari," She urged grabbing her friend's arm in her new found excitement. The teen found a sudden burst of energy, and she ran her fastest towards the tall gates that protected the Capitol of the lush country. All the while, pulling her exhausted friend behind her.

"Hitomi, slow down," Yukari cried in complaint as she stumbled after her over exuberant friend.

Before Yukari could protest any further, they reached the tall gates. The sentinels guarding them, eyes her and Yukari carefully. It made the two girls feel rather uncomfortable. It seemed as though Fanelian's were not as open to letting strangers in as they had been before. Then again, every time she had entered the city, she had been in the presence of their king.

Hitomi cleared her throat preparing herself to speak. "My name is Hitomi Kanzaki," she started, "and this is my friend Yukari Uchida. We are friends of Lord Van Slanzar de Fanel. Grant us passage into your city," She concluded taking a deep breath.

The sentinels looked at each other, and then back at the two strangely dressed teenage girls. They nodded and stepped aside, allowing the girls passage into the city. The heavy gates opened with a loud creak.

Hitomi beamed at the sentinels. "Thank you very much,"She cried grabbing Yukari's hand and pulling the red head along beside her as she ran through the gates. One of the armored sentinels followed them inside. This made Hitomi slightly nervous, so she slowed her pace to a normal walk, which both relieved and alarmed Yukari.

"Sandro," He yelled at a man who had been scrapping and cleaning a horses hoof. He dropped it and gave the sentinel his full attention. He was rather dirty, and his long greasy hair made it impossible for Hitomi to see his face. "Escort these two ladies up to the castle. I am pretty sure that Lord Van would like to see them," He ordered.

The gruff man nodded, "Of course." The two watched as the man named Sandro hooked his horse up to the wagon. The task was done almost so quickly, that Hitomi had barely noticed that he had already hopped up onto the driver's seat. He grabbed the reigns in his large hands, "Hop on ladies," He said gesturing to the wagon behind him.

Silently, Hitomi and Yukari climbed into the wagon with very little trouble. It only took the horse and wagon about ten minutes to reach the castle. The whole trip had elapsed in silence, but that suited all party members just fine. The only audible sound was the horse's hooves clicking against the cobblestone streets. The gruff man stopped the wagon at the front steps of the white castle. Hitomi smiled seeing it from up close. Fanelia had definitely been improved as it was re-built. She hopped off of the wagon, Yukari following close behind her. Her friend was captivated by her surroundings, that she had been very subdued the whole journey so far. Hitomi couldn't help but smile as she ascended the steps.

However, once they reached the top, a sentinel blocked their path into the castle. The amount of armor the man was wearing made it impossible for Hitomi to get a good look at him. "State your business," He asked bluntly, his voice flat. It seemed quite rude.

Hitomi cleared her throat once again, "We are friends of your king Van Slanzar de Fanel, we wish you to grant us passage into the castle," She stated confidently eying the sentinel with curiosity.

The sentinel glared at her, "What makes you think that you can just walk up to the castle and have council with the king?" He spat disgustedly, his eyes boring into Hitomi making her feel ridiculously uncomfortable.

"This is enough Bruton, stand down," A deep authoritative voice called from behind him.

The sentinel bowed and became humbled almost instantly. "Yes, my lord," He said stepping out of the way.

Hitomi's eyes fell upon the tall man in front of his. His hair was short, and was brown with quite a bit of gray mixed in with it. An eye-patch sat over his right eye, which stood out like a sore thumb against the tan of his skin. He wore a gentle smile on his middle-aged face. He more silver armor and a red cape that looked very uncharacteristic of the man. You could definitely tell that he rarely wore the outfit.

"Pardon me for his rudeness towards you Miss. Bruton is nothing more than a guard and can not deny anyone entrance without explicit orders from the king himself," He explained glaring at Bruton. He then turned to the girls and smiled once again. He bowed graciously, "I am General Mendelev Avanon, first general of Fanelia," He introduced himself, standing straight once again. "Any friend of Lord Van's is a friend of mine," He stated simply.

Hitomi couldn't help but smile herself. Indeed, some great changes had happened to Fanelia since her departure over three years ago. "Thank you General Avanon. I appreciate your help and kindness," She replied with a small bow of her down.

"Please allow me to escort you to Lord Van," He stated holding his arm out for the seeress to take.

She smiled an took it. She turned to her friend, "Are you coming Yukari?" She asked holding her own hand out fro her friend to take. The red head nodded without hesitation and grabbed Hitomi's hand. Her friend squeezed her hand in re-assurance, which made Yukari relax a bit. The tension in her shoulders was beginning to hurt.

The three walked down the winding corridors of the castle. Hitomi was almost convinced that they were lost, before they finally stopped outside a large set of double doors. Voices could be heard on the other side. The general released her arm, and pulled open the heavy door with a grunt. Inside, there was a large rectangular table. Three people were seated at the table. They all wore armor similar to that of General Avanon's. Hitomi assumed that these were the other Fanelian generals. Facing the door was a high-backed chair. It's back was facing her, which made it completely impossible for her to see if anyone was seated in the seat.

Hitomi took in the appearances of the other three generals. Seated closest to the high backed chair was a tanned man with his head shaved completely bald. He appeared to be in his late thirties. He seemed rather annoyed at the other general's sudden entrance. Seated next to him was a woman. She had long, curly, blonde hair that fell down past her shoulders in waves of gold. Her brown eyes had locked on to General Avanon, a look of irritation on her young face. Across from her sat a man with brown hair that was almost as long as Allen's had been last time she had seen him. This man was the only one who appeared calm and undisturbed by the interruption.

"Well, Mendelev, you sure took your sweet time," The woman spoke up, her eyes boring into the older man,

General Avanon smiled and chuckled, "General Delenair, you of all people should know that I am rarely on time for anything," He stated entering the room. He smiled slyly at her making the blonde woman scoff in disgust. Whether it was from his tardiness, or his flirtatious gesture, she was not sure. Mendelev turned and bowed before the high-backed chair. "Your majesty," He greeted with such a low bow that it almost made the two girl's burst out laughing.

"General Avanon," Van replied smoothly. The mere sound of his voice after all this time sent shivers down her spine. Her stomach jumped into her throat, and her heart began to beat madly with anticipation.

Mendelev straightened himself back up to stand at his full height. "I apologize for barging in and causing a scene in the middle of our meeting, but some friends of your have arrived my lord," He stated, a look of seriousness appearing on his face.

Van's eyebrows furrowed together in curiosity. "I see. Bring them in."

The general gestured to the two girls, ushering them into the cold and plain room. They slowly entered the room, cautious of the other generals who were all staring at them with curiosity. The two girls moved into the light, as they stood opposite of the king, so that he could see them.

His eyes widened in surprise, "Hitomi," He stated in shock. He then narrowed his eyes, "You shouldn't be here," He stated his voice taking on a more angry tone.

Hitomi felt herself recoil in surprise, and she felt her muscles tense up at the harshness in his tone. "I had to...I...I thought you'd be happy to see me," She explained starting the feel a bit nauseas by the sudden feeling of panic.

He stood up glaring at her, "Why are you here? Why did you come back?" He questioned angrily, his voice rising as he spoke. The way he spoke and his wine coloured eyes staring into her almost demanded her to speak.

Hitomi felt her face get hot, and anger surge through her veins. It felt as though a fire had ignited in her soul, and it burned. "Because I promised your mother!" She practically screamed. She was sure that her face was the colour of a tomato.

Van's eyes widened , and the king fell silent. He quickly recovered and glared at the girl. "We'll talk about this later," He stated his voice turning cold. It no longer held that slight warmth it had moments before. The sound of it sent shivers down Yukari's spine. Hitomi however, seemed unphased.

Silence fell over the group of men and women for mere moments before the tense atmosphere was interrupted by the opening of the double doors. One of the numerous hand maidens rushed into the room. Her dark hair was tousled, and her face was flushed. It was obvious that she had been running. She straightened her appearance before walking into the king's view. Hitomi and Yukari watched as she bowed, and Van motioned her to stand.

"I apologize for my intrusion your majesty, but Lady Merle has returned with the delegates from Asturia," She announced. She couldn't be any older than Hitomi, but she seemed a bit older. It had to be the formality in which she spoke.

"Excellent!" Van exclaimed rising from his seat. "This meeting is dismissed until further notice. I must go and greet my guests," He stated as the three generals rose to their feet as well. He then turned to Hitomi, "Hitomi, come with me, we will talk on the way."

She nodded firmly, anger evident in her face. Yukari could see that the young king's harshness had upset her friend. The girls followed the young king out of the large meeting room and into the corridors of the castle. Hitomi easily fell into step beside Van, but remained silent. Her lips were drawn into a tight line, that showed no signs of giving weigh. It was obvious that she felt humiliated by being dismissed so easily. Van remained silent as well. Yukari fell back behind the two not trying to interfere.

"Why did you come back?" He asked in a much softer tone than the two girls had been expecting.

The anger in Hitomi's face evaporated and was replaced with a look of sadness. "I had a dream, well more like a vision. Your mother talked to me and said that if I didn't come back that..." she stopped and took a deep breath to compose herself. "That you would die."

A warm smile spread across his face. "After three years you still worry so much about me," He mused stopping and turning to place his hands on her petite shoulders.

She couldn't help but smile back, "Yes, even more so now then ever before," She admitted her face turning a light shade of pink.

He pulled her to him and hugged her gently. "I'm glad that you came back," He said quietly, then pulling away so that there was about three feet between them.

Hitomi blushed deeply, "Me too."

Yukari cleared her throat seeing an opening, "Um, sorry to break up the tender moment, but am I invisible?" She asked feeling a bit annoyed that no one had even acknowledged her presence yet.

Hitomi looked at her friend. "Oh, Van this is my friend Yukari, Yukari this is Van, king of Fanelia," She introduced slightly embarrassed be her negligence.

Yukari eyes him up and down, "Nice to meet you Van," She said winking as Hitomi as she did so.

"Shut up Yukari!" She snapped, which made Van shake his head in both amusement and slight confusion at the two girls antics.

"Alright, that's enough," He said coming in between the two girls. "We have to go and greet our friends," He explained, and then resumed his quick stride down in castle's halls.

"Friends?" Hitomi asked slightly confused. She looked at Yukari before a light bulb went off in her head. Asturia. Hitomi bolted and caught up to Van, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.

"What friends!" Yukari yelled running in order to catch up to the young king, and her suddenly super energetic best friend.

The rest of the journey to the hanger was filled with laughter and heavy breaths. However, Yukari very uncomfortable with Hitomi and Van. It made her feel like a third wheel. She began to wonder is that is how Hitomi felt when she was with herself and Amano. Yukari shook her head to clear her thoughts. She had no idea what was going on, it was like she was missing something. When they finally reached the airship hanger, Hitomi spotted the Crusade almost instantly. As she got closer, she saw five of the people she never thought she would see again.

Millerna was just as beautiful as ever. Her long blonde hair was a bit longer, and she had grown a couple inches taller. Her expressive violet eyes seemed to shine with happiness. Her eyes fell onto the princess' bloated stomach, and saw that she was indeed heavy with child. Hitomi couldn't help but smile. Allen stood next to her. He was clothed in his usual knight Caeli attire, with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. However, his once long blonde hair had been cut at his shoulders. It hung loosely against his cheeks. This made him look a bit younger than he actually was, but he was still the same Allen. Merle was the next person she spotted, The cat girl had grown quite a bit taller, and her bubble gum pink hair had straightened itself out and hung down past her shoulders. Her marking as a cat grew darker and more distinct. However, the most noticeable feature was that her face had thinned out and her body had matures quite drastically. Princess Eries was the next she spotted. To Hitomi's surprise, she looked almost exactly the same as she had three years ago. At last her eyes fell on Allen's little sister Celena. She no longer held an resemblance to being the monster Dilandau Albantou. Her soft blonde hair fell down near her waist and was pulled up into a high ponytail. She now held a regal air about herself, and her blue eyes shimmered with a happiness that had not been there before. You could no longer see the pain, loneliness, anger, thirst for bloody revenge that had once filled them. She was truly once again Celena Schezar.

Millerna gasped when she saw Hitomi. Tears of joy welled up in the princess' eyes, "Hitomi!" She cried running to her lost friend and pulling her into a crushing embrace.

Hitomi couldn't help but giggle with excitement. "Oh my god Millerna," She said holding her friend an arms length away gawking at her. "You look absolutely beautiful."

The princess smiled warmly at her. "Why thank you, you're not so bad yourself Hitomi," She replied with a wink.

Allen smiled and pulled her into a friendly hug as well. "Hello Hitomi," He greeted after they separated.

Hitomi heard a growl, but before she could turn her head to look, she was tackled to the ground by the pink haired cat girl. She looked up, and found Merle's dark blue eyes glaring back at her, "When did you get here?" She hissed angrily.

Hitomi heard Van chuckle. She tried to sit up, but found herself unable to. "Just this morning," She replied.

Merle's frown turned into a happy smile, "Good. I was just making sure that you haven't been here long," She said climbing off of the sand haired girl and crossing her arms over her chest. "I would have expected word of your arrival," She added in a snobbish way, and sticking her nose up in the air. This made Van chuckle again. She was definitely the same old Merle.

Hitomi rolled her eyes at the cat girl and took Allen's hand to help pull herself up. She gave him a short nod, "Thank you Allen."

"You're most welcome Hitomi," He replied hanging onto her hand and kissing the back of it gently.

Hitomi blushed and pulled her hand away quite quickly. She cleared her through and turned to Celena. Unexpectedly, the blonde pulled her into a hug. "Thank you," She said so quietly that the seeress barely heard her.

Hitomi pulled away smiling. She knew exactly what the other girl meant. She nodded in recognition, then turned to the older woman standing next to her. She gave a small bow. "Nice to see you again Princess Eries," She greeted with a warm smile.

She smiled back, "Likewise Lady Hitomi," She replied with a slight bow of her own. It was more one of respect than that of which you would give to royalty. Hitomi's smile brightened at the unexpected gesture.

Van cleared his throat reminding the group of his presence. "Aren't you forgetting someone?" He asked causing her to turn around.

Her eyes fell on Yukari, who seemed lost in her own little world as she stared at Allen. Not that she blamed her, he did look exactly like her boyfriend back home. Her jaw was unhinged slightly, and her chocolate eyes wide with surprise. "Right," She cried pulling the stunned red head to her, knocking her out of her daze. "Yukari, these are my friends, Merle, Millerna Aston of Asturia, Allen Schezar knigt Caeli, his little sister lady Celena, and Princess Eries Aston of Asturia," She introduced gesturing to each one as she said their names, "Guys, this is my friend Yukari from back home on the mystic moon."

Yukari, and the small group exchanged greetings and smiled. Hitomi could tell by the look on the red head's face that she was completely overwhelmed. She looked at Van pleading with her eyes.

Van nodded and approached the small group, "Now that we have all introduced ourselves, Merle, why don't you take the girls to the rooms that they will be staying in. Allen, Eries, and I have things to discuss," He said nodding at the two older Asturians.

Merle grinned showing off her sharp feline teeth. "Of course Lord Van," She cried more high pitched than normal. In an instant, the feline took off down across the hanger at an incredible speed.

Van laughed, "I don't think that they can keep up with you at that speed Merle," He called after her causing the cat girl to slide to a stop.

She turned placing her hands on her hips. "It's not my fault that they're slow spokes," She teased.

"Ok that's it!" Hitomi cried running after the cat girl. As soon as she saw Hitomi take off, Merle bolted . She was down on all fours, and out of the hanger. Yukari followed almost instantly not wanting to be left behind. Millerna followed as well, but at a much slower place. Celena walked beside her to keep her company.

Van shook his head disapprovingly. He then turned to his friends, "Let's go to the library to speak in private."

A couple hours had passed since the Crusade's exciting arrival. Hitomi, and Yukari had just gotten settled into the room that they were to share with Celena and Millerna. The two other girls had wandered off to go into the city. Hitomi was rather disappointed because she wished to speak with Millerna. However, it could wait until a later time.

The door opened and Millerna walked in with Celena in tow. Millerna groaned and placed a hand on her lower back. She turned to Hitomi and smiled warmly at her. Celena wandered out onto the balcony and sit down starring out at the bustling city streets.

Hitomi couldn't help but smile back at the princess, "How are you?" She asked patting the bed, inviting the blonde to sit next to her.

She took the seeress' offer. "I'm good, all things considering," She replied with a groan as she sat down. She let out a sigh of relief and placed a hand on her swollen belly.

Hitomi looked at her accusingly, "How long have you been pregnant?" She demanded playfully.

The blonde chuckled, "I am only five months, but I am ridiculously huge, I know," She explained with a laugh.

"Who's the father?" She probed trying to coax her friend into giving her more information.

Millerna blushed and looked away, "Dryden."

Hitomi couldn't help but the grin that spread over her face. "He came back, "She stated knowingly.

Before Millerna could reply, Yukari decided to worm her way into the two other girl's conversation. "I know it's not my place to say anything, but I feel compelled to say congratulations," She stated with a warm smile appearing on her face.

Millerna was surprised, but smiled none the less, "Thank you um...Yukari," She replied tucking her hair behind her ears.

Hitomi smiled and turned back to the princess. "So why didn't Dryden come with you to Fanelia," She asked leaning back against the headboard.

Millerna sighed, she did not like to dwell on unpleasant things. "My father passed away about two years ago..." She began, but Hitomi quickly cut her off.

I'm so sorry Millerna," Hitomi cried placing a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder.

She smilled patting Hitomi's hand, "It's quite alright," She said taking her friend's hand off of her shoulder. "He had named Dryden as his second, or successor. Anyway, that means that he is now the king of Asturia. Anway, he can't leave Palas as much as he would like. That's why Allen and Eries had to come with me," She explained with a small sigh.

"Oh so they're like your 'escorts' right?" Yukari remarked crossing her legs beneath her.

Millerna thought for a moment, "I suppose so. Dryden did tell them to watch out for me," She admitted standing up and stretching her back out.

Hitomi chuckled, "I'm surprised that he even let you leave the safety of Palas," She remarked pulling her legs to her chest.

Millerna nodded enthusiastically, "Me too. However, I do believe that my sister held some sway with him. I am pretty sure that she convinced him to let me come along," She added with a giggle.

Hitomi smiled, "That's so sweet," She commented referring to Dryden's protectiveness over her.

Millerna grinned and looked at Yukari knowingly. Hitomi was taken a back by the gesture. It was as if her two friends were having a secret conversation, and they didn't really know each other. It sort of freaked her out. "Don't think that I don't noticed," Millerna commented playfully pushing the sandy haired girl.

She eyes her friend suspiciously, "Notice what?"

"The looks Van gives you when your back is turned," She said resting her hand on the girl's shoulder. "He really loves you Hitomi," She removed her hand from her shoulder and turned towards the balcony. "It's to bad he's..."

In that instance, Merle burst into the room, "Shut it princess!" She snapped, her dark blue eyes narrowing at the blonde.

Millerna turned to look at the cat girl, an outraged look on her face. "I am not a princess anymore," She seethed. "I am a queen in my own right and I expect you to treat me with some respect Miss Ambassador," She practically spat.

Merle rolled her eyes, and then turned her gaze to Hitomi. "Van wants to talk to you," She said, then looked between the other three women in the room. "Alone."

Hitomi nodded slowly knowing that this was going to be an important conversation. "Alright."