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 4 ~ The Arathnian Ambassador

Hitomi found herself wandering aimlessly down the empty halls of the castle. She had been searching for Van for over an hour, and she still did not have any idea where she was going. Merle had decided to stay behind with Yukari, Millerna, and Celena, completely forgetting about the sandy haired girl. However, it was good to see that Yukari was getting along so well. She sighed and continued to wander down the halls. She knew that it was nearing dinner time so she was bound to run into somebody at some point. However, that fact alone did not help her find the raven haired king. She turned down a long hallway and spotted a set of large double doors at the end. Mounted a top the wooden frame was a stone statue of a dragon. It held a blood red crystal sphere clutched in it's talon-like claws. The Fanelian crest was carved perfectly into the door. It was the same crest that adorned Van's royal sword.

She couldn't help but smile, "This must to Van's room," She mused aloud to herself. This seemed to be the only place she had yet to look for him. She found herself taking a deep breath before taking the first stride in her walk down the long corridor. Her pace did not falter until she reached the intimidating doors. She stood in silence for a moment before raising her hand and knocking gently on the wood surface.

"Enter," Van's voice boomed from the other side of the door. She jumped back slightly in surprise. She had not expected it to sound so loud. It made her shudder. She swallowed and quickly composed herself.

She said nothing, and took a deep breath in order to muster up the courage to open the doors. She entered the room and quietly closed the heavy door behind her. The whole time she did so, her eyes were fixed on her feet. She was not sure why, but she couldn't bring herself to look up. She suddenly felt humbled in Van's presence. It may have just been the new environment she had found herself in. Van's bedroom was definitely foreign territory.

Van looked up and smiled at her. "I was beginning to wonder if Merle gave you my message," He mused remaining in his seated position on his king size four poster bed. His shirt had been discarded on the chair by his bed, and the door leading out onto the balcony was wide open allowing a soft breeze to flow openly through the room.

Hitomi nodded knowingly, "She did, but I got lost looking for you," She admitted staring at the floor in front of her.

Van sighed, "She should have brought you to me," He stated tiredly. "I really wanted to talk to you," He added his voice taking on a more serious tone.

Hitomi felt herself blush under his intense gaze. She cleared her throat before speaking afraid that it might as gibberish. "Alright, I'm here now, let's talk," She stated finally pushing passed her temporary shyness. She looked up and her gaze locked onto Van's.

She nearly gasped, but she controlled herself. The king's wine colored orbs were burning with emotions that she could not even begin to place. They seemed to burn into her soul. It was eerily peaceful and protected feeling. She felt like smiling at the sense of security that his gaze brought about her, but refrained from doing so. It was not appropriate at the moment.

He sighed frustrated with himself. "I can't lie to you," He stated his head turning so that his gaze was now focused out the balcony doorway and onto the quickly darkening sky. "I care a lot about you but..."He started, but he stopped unsure of what to say or how to say it.

Hitomi sense his inner turmoil and found herself walking towards the slightly older boy. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know Van," She said soothingly. "Please tell me?" was her question as she sat down beside him.

He sighed again, "Why is this so hard!" He growled covering his face with his hands. Anger contorted his once serious expression.

She couldn't help but feel the curiosity pulling at her, "What's so hard Van?"

He looked at her and sighed again. What he had to tell her could wait until a later date. There were more important things he had to say. He took a deep breath, "Hitomi, I love you."

She could so nothing to prevent the blush that flushed over her features. She swallowed hard. She couldn't remember him ever telling her those three sweet words before now. She found herself smiling. "I love you too Van," She breathed in an almost inaudible voice. However, she knew he had heard her.

He smiled resting his hand over her smaller one. "I'm glad." He turned to get a better look at her. "That's not the only reason I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for my rudeness towards you and Yukari earlier," He admitted ashamed by his unfriendly and ungentlemanly like behavior.

Hitomi smiled warmly at him. "Already forgiven and forgotten," She replied with a small shrug.

Van chuckled, "That's just like you Hitomi. You want everyone to get along," He mused gently caressing her cheeks with his left hand. "That's why I love you."

Her smile brightened at his declaration and she leaned into his calloused touch. It sent bolts of electricity down her spine. "I love you too."

He slowly leaned in and gently pressed his lips against hers. She barely had any time to register what was happening before he pulled away. She forced herself to breath as she blinked her eyelids rapidly. That was her an Van's first kiss. She smiled and gently touched her lips with her fingers. She leaned into his warm embrace. It was not long before her lips sought out his and claimed them. The kiss was more heated this time around. Van's hand moved from it's position covering hers to rest on her thigh, and his other hand gripped her hip gently. She felt her face get hot as his tongue gently brushed against her bottom lip asking for entrance. She couldn't help but comply. His gentle grip on her thigh tightened at this. She moaned feeling heat spread through her stomach as his hand slid up from her hip to rest on her side.

A loud knock on the heavy door forced the couple to jump apart in surprise. Van cursed quietly and straightened his appearance. He stood up and cleared his throat. "Enter!" He called hoarsely, a hint of anger and frustration evident in his voice. At least it was to Hitomi's ears.

The double doors opened and General Avanon entered the room. He looked upon the scene in front of him and back up and began to retreat seeing the look in his lord's eyes, and the slightly rumpled appearance of the sandy haired girl. "I am sorry for interrupting your majesty," he stated gruffly, his head remaining hidden from view.

Van cleared his throat again. "No matter Mendelev, what is it?" He asked picking his shirt up of of the chair and pulling it over his head covering up his indecency.

The general poked his head back into the room and smiled sheepishly at his king. His expression suddenly turned very serious. "The Arathnian ambassador is here," He stated bluntly.

Van's eyes widened in surprise, "Why is he here?" He asked in a voice sounding slightly panicked.

General Avanon shrugged, "I am not quite sure my lord. He says that he wishes to seek conference with you in regards to Queen Nastrata Brahne," He explained folding his arms behind his back.

Van's eyes narrowed as he swore under his breath, "Thank you Mendelev."

The general nodded and bowed slightly before turning his heal and swiftly exited the royal bed chamber.

Van paced silently around the room for a few moments stewing in his thoughts before he figured out what he needed to do, "We have to get Allen," He stated locking his eyes with hers.

He held out his hand for her to take. She took it graciously and used it to pull herself up onto her slightly shaking legs. The whole situation the two teens had found themselves in moments before had frightened her slightly. She took a deep breath regaining her shaken composure, "Why?" She asked in relief as he pulled her along behind him as they left the room.

"There is no reason for the Arathnian ambassador to be in Fanelia," He explained releasing her hand from his tight grasp. His quick stride down the long corridors did not falter as he did so.

It did not take the pair long before they reached their destination. Van raised his hand and knocked firmly on the hard wooden surface. Moments later, the door swung open and the blonde haired man known as Allen Schezar appeared before them.

"What is it Van?" He asked leaning against the door frame. He has lost his knight Caeli attire and was clad in just a white shirt and his usual black pants.

"Valoryn Salanzar is here," Van stated darkly.

Allen's blue eyes widened in surprise. He then walked into the hallway closing the door behind him. "Why is that traitor here?" He spat in disgust.

Hitomi was surprised by the knight's reaction. His blue eyes lazed as he stared at the king. She had never seen such disgust or anger radiating off of the blonde knight before. "He is now the ambassador for Arathnia," Van stated as they began to walk down the hall. "He seeks conference with me on behalf of Queen Brahne," He explained as Allen scoffed in disgust once more.

"Who is Valoryn Salanzar?" Hitomi asked more to Allen than to the sovereign at her side.

"He is the Arathnian ambassador..." Van began, but Hitomi cut him off before he could utter another word.

"Yeah, yeah. I got that much," She stated rolling her eyes at the annoying and repetitive sentence.

Allen shook his head at his two younger comrades before clearing his throat to speak. "Valoryn Salanzar used to be a knight Caeli like myself. He was both born and raised in Asturia," He bgan, playing with the ends of his now short blonde hair. "However, about ten years ago he abandoned Asturia and went to Arathnia. He went in order to serve under the high council of Gaea. The great Queen Brahne," He explained spitting at the mention of Queen Brahne as if the name left a sour taste in his mouth. The knight quickly regained his composure. "I am the man who took his place as a knight. However, how he obtained a political position like the ambassador is completely beyond me," He finished crossing his arms across his chest.

"I have an idea," Van stated bitterly as they approached the large doors of the airship hanger for yet the second time that day.

The three friends arrived at the hanger, and were greeted by sight of the Arathnian envoy. Their airship was a lot larger than the Crusade was. Actually, it dwarfed in comparison. It appeared to look like more of a blimp with sails on the back than an actual aircraft. Valoryn Salanzar stood in front of them with to companions at his side. He was a tall darker man. His skin was quite tanned, and his beard was full and covered his cheeks ans chin almost completely. His thick black hair was cropped short for an obvious cleaner appearance. Next to him stood the golden haired woman Hitomi had seen in her dream. However, this time she wore snow white armor and a blur and silver cape that was pinned to her chest. He hair spiraled down in waves and shone brightly in the light of the hanger. She wore an emotionless expression on her face which made her seen cold and empty that it made Hitomi shiver. Standing slightly behind her was a what appeared to be a man encased in a suit of armor. However, it looked nothing like a traditional suite or armor that Hitomi was used to seeing. This one was blood red with horn-like structures jutting out from the helm. It was quite demonic in appearance. He stood tall like a bodyguard with his armored arms crossed across his equally armored chest.

"State your business here Salanzar," Van demanded authoritatively stopping his stride about three feet away from the older man.

The dark haired man smiled and gave the king a slight bow. "Myself, and Miss Galaxia Tanuar," He begna gesturing to the proud looking, golden haired woman beside him, "wish to have conference with you and your council on behalf of our queen," He stated professionally.

Van's eyes fell on the man attired in the blood red armor. They narrowed at the hulking figure. "And him?" He demanded.

"Agrael is here to ensure the safety of Miss Tantuar and myself," He began placing a hand on the young woman's shoulder. Hitomi watched as the blonde scowled at him. "Tis' merely a chivalrous gesture I assure you young king," He continued with a bow. "After all, this young lady if a knight of Arathnia," He stated with a chuckle.

Van's eyed glared at the blonde, "I am aware of her position Salanzar," He spat but nodded, "Of course precautions must be taken."

Valoryn smiled again, "Shall we trust to a place that is less public Fanelia?" He suggested.

Hitomi couldn't help but shiver. Bad vibes washed off of the these three foreign characters like dust off of a chalkboard. Something was definitely not right with the whole situation. Her eyes turned back to Van, who slowly nodded his head. "Of course."

Quite a few minutes later, the six people sat in the meeting room. It was the same room that Hitomi had originally been escorted to when she had first arrived. Merle, as well as General Avanon had joined their small group along the way. Now there was three Fanelians, three Arathnians, one Asturian, and one girl from the Mystic Moon seated within the cold and plain room. Hitomi couldn't help but notice the intense glare Merle was currently shooting at the blonde woman named Galaxia. It was obvious that the cat girl did not like the golden haired knight. Other than that, the other parties seated at the long table wore blank and emotionless expressions.

Valoryn cleared his throat breaking the tense silence. "The queen requests your presence in Arathnia in two weeks time," He stated folding his large hand underneath his chin.

Van stood up, "Queen Brahne can not request my presence at the drop of a hat. She knows damn well that I am the sole monarch of my country and that I can not leave my country unattended," He raged slamming his fist down on the table in emphasis.

Galaxia scoffed at the childish action and Van's weak show of rage. This drew everyone's attention to her. "Her majesty knows of your current state Fanelia," She countered glaring at the younger man. "I am to understand that you have Queen Millerna of Asturia as a visitor in your country correct?" She asked looking at her fingernails as she talked.

Van snorted at this response, "She is due back I Asturia in a week," He replied almost instantly.

"I am certain you can figure something out," Galaxia retorted her cold blue eyes locking onto Van's blazing orbs. "I am sure that you would not like to disappoint her royal highness."

"It will be nearly impossible to reach Arathnia in less than two weeks," He stated in defiance. However, it was obvious that he was thinking of excuses so that he did not have to make the journey.

Unfortunately, Galaxia had planned for this response. "If you fly to the west, and over great lake Everstill, you will find yourself over the Celestial forest. After that you'll be flying over Dragonsand which is directly east of out capitol Terra," She stated tossing her golden locks over her shoulder. "Then you just have to fly over the eastern mountains and you will be in Terra," She finished leaning back against her chair with a smug expression painted on her face.

"Are you insane!" Allen, Van, and Merle cried out in unison.

Allen rose to his feet defiantly, "That area is crawling with dragons. It is not safe to pass through there. It is complete suicide," Allen stated angrily.

Galaxia scoffed, but remained silent, her eyes shifting to the side. A faint deep, yet distorted chuckle could be heard. Hitomi could only assume that the sound belonged to Agrael. However, he did not speak. Valoryn let out a mocking laugh before clearing his throat. "The odds of a dragon attack actually taking place in the air are pretty much slim to none. Dragons are territorial, but the sky is pretty much free reign," He stated tapping his impatient fingers against the long wooden surface of the table.

Van glared at the bearded man before sighing in defeat. "How long would that take us approximately?" He questioned.

A grin spread the ambassador's face. "About a week your majesty."

He nodded firmly, his lips tightening into a thin line. "Fine," He stated turning so that he was no longer facing the foreigner. "Report back to Queen Brahne, and let her know that I will be there as she demands," the young king spat in disgust.

"Of course my liege," Valoryn stated slyly as he rose from his seat.

Van snorted, "Leave now, you've conferred with me, you have no reason to be here any longer," He stated waving he three foreigners off.

The group watched as Agrael assisted Galaxia into a standing position. Galaxia smiled gratefully at the silent man trapped in the demonic looking suit of armor. Valoryn adjusted his robes, and then looked back at his two companions. "Galaxia," Hitomi heard him whisper as he turned to them. She looked at Merle and noticed that the cat girl's ears had perked up signaling that she had heard him speak as well.

Galaxia straightened her cape, "Yes?" She inquired quietly shooting a sideways glance at the two girl's watching their every move. Hitomi looked away quickly, feeling the blonde's eyes burn into her.

"Send word to your dear friend Startegos and tell him that his information on the Fanelian king was extremely accurate and will be very useful. Tell him to keep up the good work," He said patting her on the shoulder. "He is a very useful asset to our cause."

The golden haired woman nodded," Yes, of course."

Hitomi's eyebrows furrowed, and her face contorted into an expression of deep thought. She couldn't help but notice the underlying message the man's words seemed to hold that she could not decipher. She sighed and looked at the other people in the room. Other than Merle, no one had noticed the exchange of words. "What is going on here?" She wondered looking up at the blank ceiling. If only she knew what fate had in store of the girl from the Mystic Moon, and the Draconian King.