Hello everyone! Happy new year ! Both 2023, and the rabbit year, may it bring you health and good things !

Here is one more chapter about what's going on in Fanelia, there is one left, and then... well you will see. I hope you will enjoy what I have in store.

Fanelia, the wait

In Fanelia everyone was nervous, the atmosphere was heavy, the air thick with tension and worry. A war was looming over their country, and if Fanelia had seen its fair share of wars in its history, it doesn't mean it was something anyone was eager to see coming. Their young prince was currently going through the dragon rite which would give him his right to the throne, and permit him to take a more preponderant place in the coming conflict. A new page of their history was being written, if only it could be without shedding blood.

Hope and dread were mixed everywhere, prayers were repeated at all times all around the capital, and offerings were given aplenty in every shrines and churches of the dragon god.

And with every passing day fear was growing among the citizens.

What if the prince failed ?

Some had expressed this thought only a week after the prince left, and they were severely punished for this. Sowing unwarranted rumors about the prince was not permitted, never was and never will. One moon to hunt and bring back a drag energist was the set time to accomplish the rite, but throughout the history of the kingdom, it happened to take more time, not by much but it wasn't unheard of. The reverse has happened too.

But many felt unrest, especially after prince Folken departure, not to be seen ever since. It was impossible to stop rumors from existing, words have power, and could spread so easily and so fast, there was no stopping it. The second prince was called too soft by some, others were blaming the cursed queen, his mother, saying it was her fault for diluting the noble blood of the Fanelian royal family with her cursed one. Pessimist were already saying the prince was probably already dead, either eaten by a dragon, or running away, if he did not choose to commit suicide to not have to carry his duty to his country. But none of them were brave enough to say such things out loud where guards could hear them.

Talking badly and in the open about the dire outcome of the rite was considered not only rude but also bad luck, and could also be seen as contempt toward the royal family. The king may be lenient on certain things, but disrespect toward the royal family was a sure way to end up in jail, if not condemned to death depending on the severity of the offense. And insulting prince Van in such a way was a sure way to end up dead, one way or another.

The days passed in anticipation in the town, and the gatekeepers and watchers were probably the most tense of all the citizens, but there was one person whose anxiety couldn't be rivaled with.

When the gazes of the people were not turned toward the gates, it was toward the palace, where their king, queen, and princess were living the most terrible moment of their lives.

Within the walls of the palace, the situation was even worse than the people thought.

King Gaou was keeping his calm on the surface, he trusted his son to come back victorious, but it didn't mean he wasn't scared for his son's safety and life. Accepting his duty when he went through the trial himself, he knew then that his own children would have to go through what he had one day, hunting and killing a dragon like he did so many years ago, but it wasn't the same thing to live through it. Most kings, and the few queens, who went through the hunt, did so after their predecessor died, sometimes during the last moment of the previous ruler, rarely while he or she was still on the throne. He himself has been one of the exceptions, his own father being old and no longer able to lead the country properly, and leading them through unnecessary battles. Gaou had no choice but to do what was right at the time. His heart ached for his children, and queen who were now enduring this sacred, but heavy burden.

Losing Folken took a toll on him of course, his first child, his son and heir, went missing and now he was facing the prospect of losing Van too. Van is still so young. It was unbearable, but he was king, and some things must be done, no matter if they were hard. It pained him to see how powerless he could be in such a situation.

Gaou was never a strong believer before in his life, having only prayed when necessary, but now he was praying every day and night to let Escaflowne be merciful for his son, to let him come back to them, if not to take the throne, then for the sake of his mother. His beloved wife was breaking in front of his eyes, and it seemed he couldn't do anything to help her.

Out of all people Varie was the one who took the trial the worst.

She has always been somewhat fragile, her heart too tender for her role and duty as queen. Yet she wasn't weak, she had always done her best, working herself to the bone for her country, to be the queen Gaou needed, to be the mother of the country as was expected of her. To make people forget her unknown origin, and for the ones who know, her heritage.

Ever since her fateful meeting with Gaou, Varie had never once complained about her situation of being queen. No matter how hard and harsh her position was.

When nobles were against her marriage, when ladies mocked her for her lack of nobility, when there were doubts about her pregnancies… She had never backed down, but she was still hurt, as she was made of flesh and blood, but weakness wasn't something she could show recklessly, if ever.

Her husband was her pillar, her love, her destiny, and her king, and when she almost lost him something broke in her. Her greatest joy, after Gaou, was her children, Folken and Van, and later Merle entered her life like flowers bloom in spring, they gave her the love she has always wanted and needed. Her joy was simple, but true, but so easily shaken.

Varie has always lived a simple life, up in the mountains, above the clouds, where she was expected to fulfill her duties, and chores, respect the traditions and the elders. But her whole life there has been tinted with fear and shame, and little love and affection. Her family wasn't warm, not because it was without love, but because attachment meant suffering. From a young age Varie has been told that she, like the rest of her people, possess abilities which were never to be shown to anyone, to the point she had often doubted having them. She didn't stay an innocent child for long, draconians rarely could afford to live in peace. She was no stranger to fear, but she also grew up with hope. When she first bloomed from a child to young woman, she received an oracle from the elders, as was tradition in her village. That day Varie's life changed and hope grew as much as her loneliness.

She would one day marry a man from below the clouds, she would meet him when the moons would light a certain lake in one of the valleys below. This man would be her destiny, and his name was Gaou of Fanelia. She was told her own children would be a part of Gaean history.

She knew the name Fanel well, the name of the royal family who let them live safely in the mountains. The king was their king, and they respect him, even if they never met or saw what he may look like.

Varie was to marry the future king. She couldn't believe it at first, that future looked so great, so impossible, unreachable. But the oracle was never wrong, and as happy as she was Varie saw her life change in a way she couldn't understand at that time.

From the day of the oracle until its accomplishment, Varie became both revered, and avoided. She was destined to leave, and in her community, leaving meant never coming back, ever. So her family distanced itself from her, to lessen the future loss of her departure, or to appease their guilty conscience. The villagers too, were leaving her alone more and more, treating her like she was already an outsider. None of them showed any hostility for her though, not only because it was pointless, but also because she would become queen, their queen, queen of Fanelia.

It was hard to imagine that one day Varie would be queen, but she accepted it, and so as her peers left her alone, the elders and the adults started her training. What she would need to know, etiquette, manners, politics, history and geography and so on. Their seclusion was restraining their knowledge, but they still got their ways to learn of the world, and so they taught Varie all they could, and all she could and would need in her future. It had been surreal at first, but the training passed with the years until her time came.

Few came to bid her farewell, for some it was a long time coming, others were busy, there were theses who didn't know how to say goodbye, and the ones who never knew her all that well even before her oracle. It hurt Varie deeply when only her father came to see her depart among her family, and even then he didn't talked to her, only to the elders who send her off into a unknown future. She was leaving her only home and safe space, and she felt torn between the hope of a better future, and the despair of losing her life as she knew it.

Varie waited until she was far enough from the village to cry, she would mourn the life she knew on her way to the lake, and as she reached her destination, she felt more confident. No more tears, her destiny was coming, she was ready. Then she met Gaou and Varie learned what love was, it was… magical, there were no other words for it. Things were hard of course, no amount of training could prepare her for a life among the nobles. She was alone without any familiar faces or setting to bring her peace, she could only rely on Gaou, and maybe Balgus to a certain extent. But men were not able to soothe a maiden heart nor were they meant to understand her fully. Time passed and Varie became a good queen as predicted, and then she was blessed with a child, her sweet and kind Folken.

Becoming a mother was something she knew would happen, but there was no preparation for something like that. She went through so many emotions when she learned of his existence within her. Her hopes were now in reachables : having a family, never being alone ever again. When she held him the very first time, the tears she shed were of utter adoration and happiness. What she had longed for were now a small bundle in her arms.

Her happiness lasted until the fires of her fears were lighted again when she learned about what being Gaou heir meant. How could anyone ask her baby to one day slay a dragon ? It was impossible ! And her fear reached a new peak when he grew enough to start showing his wings. Being a prince was dangerous enough, but being a draconian was a death sentence. She always knew deep down, but it was always far from her somehow, now it was on her mind day and night. Her beloved appeased her fears as much as he could, and Folken himself was a balm for her heart, but Varie was a draconian of pure blood, and she shared with her ancestor more than their sins and her wings. Varie, just like the creators of Gaea, was greedy.

Her greed was not for power, or gold, but for love and a family for herself. A selfish wish and desire she held close to her heart all these years, and she could see now how it could be her downfall. With this realization Varie spent the years, always anxious of the future that has yet to come. When she gave birth to Van, Varie cried of renewed adoration for this pure being in her arms, but also in misery for bringing her the joy and responsibility of such a precious life.

Van was so innocent, she wanted to preserve him from the world at all cost, to the point that the idea of taking him and Folken to the mountains, above the clouds, crossed her mind more than once in the dead of night.

It was impossible of course, none of them would be allowed back in her village, she left for a reason, she was as good as dead for them. And Gaou would never let her leave his side like that, even less with the boys. How she at times wished to lead a more simple life by his side far away from any and all troubles ! But as all draconians learned as children, wishes don't come true for them, and if they did , a high price has to be paid.

She had to face that cruel truth the day Merle came into her life. Gaou and her have been trying for a third child, and Varie has always wanted a daughter, for her little boys were as sweet as doves, they would still grow to be men, and she so dearly wished for a feminine presence in her life to nurture.

She regretted her selfish wish when the small kitten entered the palace in the gigantic arms of Balgus. Merle became her daughter, at the price of blood and her birth family. She repent by giving the little girl all the love she could, and by honoring the fallen tigers with Merle. Making sure she knew where she came from, and how much she was loved then by them, and now by her.

For her loved ones, Varie would give the world, and her life. Losing them would kill her, she was certain of it, and she was proven right when the epidemic almost took Gaou from her arms.

She knew she had been blamed for the epidemic, and for Gaou sickness, just as she was blamed for the Tigers massacre, or every and all problem the kingdom ever faced since she arrived, may that be a drought or a rain too heavy. She couldn't care less about their venomous words, because lying in bed was her husband, and seeing like so was tearing her apart. And so Varie did something she hadn't done in years, something close to a taboo for her people, something she didn't teach her children. Varie wished.

She wished with all her might, and energy, with desperation and faith. She wished upon her ancestors powers, ready to make any and all sacrifice to keep her husband by her side, even at the price of her people, may they be fanelian or draconinans. What people thought were prayers and desperate pleas to the dragon god were nothing more than her fervent, if not frantic wishes.

She didn't know who answered her, or how it worked, but her wish came true, and a letter came and saved Gaou. She didn't know what price she would have to pay but she would do so, she knew she would. And in time she did pay a harsh price for her fulfilled wish.

It happened when Folken decided to leave Fanelia to travel the world, she protested, how could she not ? Her baby, her firstborn, her smart little boy… It was too soon ! Too dangerous ! He was so precious to her, why does he need to leave ? He may be a prince, and know how to wield a sword, but he was still an easy target for so many dangers of this world, and that was without his blood inherited from her coming into consideration. Must her wish to save Gaou take her son from her instead ? Has Merle tragic experience before coming to them not been an exemple for her sons about how the world could be cruel to people who were different ? Had she failed to raise him ? Why does he want to leave the palace ? The capital ? The kingdom ? The country ? His family ? His nest ? Her ?

No matter her desires, her wishes and pleading, Folken still left, and Varie grew scared, and anxious of every shadow. And the less and less news she got from him, the more she became depressed, she spent countless nights crying in her husband's arms almost mourning the loss of her child, even if there was no proof or indication that Foken was gone for good. She was still doing her duty, she was queen, and Gaou and the children needed her, but she changed, growing more cold and distant over time. Her fear of losing her family started to cloud her judgment, she was suffocating and felt like she was trapped. The only way she found to deal with her crumbling heart was trying to protect her youngests.

Merle, her little kitten, the daughter she couldn't have before, that was brought to her by tragedy. She taught her everything she could to be a lady, even if her title of princess would never amount to anything for some people, just because she wasn't birthed by Gaou and her. Varie knew that even if Merle had come from her womb, people would still reject her for her blood, and as much as it broke her heart to think about her future, and her incapacity to protect her, Varie loved her so much. Some day she thinks she should get angry on her kitten behalf, but she never was one prone to anger, and has never sought violence in the face of adversity. She had always let go of her anger, in a way she never could with her sadness.

Merle would one day marry, but Varie knew it would be with someone from Fanelia, her daughter would never leave completely. She would always be near her in a way but it wasn't enough to calm her restless heart, after all what garanties does she have that Merle would have a happy marriage ? What if she falls ill ? Or was neglected in some way by the one who will be her husband ? No one could protect a woman from heartbreak. Varie was careful to teach Merle how to love, but not to give herself away to her love, to not be used and abused by her heart, like… her. Merle would be different from her, stronger, wiser, and unlike her she would be able to feel anger. Not too much of course, as it would hurt her in the end, but enough to stand her ground. Folken was for the past, and how it broke her heart to think as such ! Merle was for the future, even if it was looking bleak at the moment, why does a war have to loom over them ?

And for the present there is Van. Her sweet boy, her precious miracle, her little dove... It took them so long to have him, and his birth was so hard on her. After Folken's birth, Gaou and her tried to have other children, it was natural, logic, both of them wanted as big a family as they could, not only because an heir was needed. But it took them years to have Van. The healers said there was nothing wrong on her side or Gaou. She was healthy, young, but years passed without another child blessing their life. And of course, it sparked new and hurtful rumors about her, some even suggesting she was deposed as queen or that her beloved should take a concubine ! She never forgot, nor forgave them, even after Gaou dealt with them, and her anger waned, the bitterness stayed. Learning she was expecting again after so long was a miracle, Van was her little miracle.

It was obvious as he was growing that he was like her and Folken, balking at the idea of violence, avoiding fights as much as possible. She still remembers vividly how, as a child, he would cry for the dragon's fate in the story of the kings of Fanelia, when Folken read it to him. But unlike her, he was innocent in a way she hadn't been in so long… It was hard to teach him to hide his wings, to explain that to be safe he should never reveal himself. It felt like a sin to teach him to be careful, and to not trust everyone, to fear the unknown. It was even harder to see him start his sword training, even if it was his heritage and birthright, it was difficult to see a weapon in his small hands. She knew he would need it eventually, but it came too soon for her.

Then Zaibach became an empire, and started reaching all over Gaea for trades, and for some reason, tried to reach Fanelia. It didn't make a lot of sense then, the empire and the kingdom being so far apart from each other, but since they were extending a hand, Fanelia had no reason to refuse to at least welcome them and listen to their offer. With caution of course, and they were right to be.

When Zaibach envoy came to Fanelia, Varie did her best to show her country hospitality, to be the queen hostess to their diplomates, and put her beloved kingdom in the best light possible, without minimizing their empire worth. But they showed contempt no matter what she did, snickering and sneering at their culture and way of life, calling it loutish and backwater ways. After years dealing with the nobles around her showing her contempt it was hard to faze her with such an attitude and insults but it was still infuriating nonetheless.

They were giving snide comments about their cultures, their way of life, their livelihood, like their empire was perfect and never went through generations of being mere tribes in an hostile environment. They were acting like upstart spoiled children and showed clear distaste for the beast people living in Fanelia and the ones serving in the castle itself, they were insulting Merle for being a princess by adoption. Then they were expecting them to smile and take their "generous offer" with grace.

Hinting rather rudely at their perceived inferiority as a rural kingdom, and how they as a new, highly performing empire and upcoming nation, could help them enter a new more prosperous era. As if she had never heard such things before from scammers, trying to appeal to her, expecting her to be soft or simple minded. Not that they were really trying with her, their focus was mainly on Gaou, not only because he was the king, but also a man, not a weak emotional woman…

When they started talking about the draconians settlement in the mountains, and the dragons' nesting areas, even if she didn't show it outwardly, her blood ran cold. No one who ever showed any interest in her people had ever done so with good intention, and the way they were talking about the dragons was pure blasphemy for the followers of the dragons faith anywhere in the world. They were talking about them like cattles, and raw material, of possibilities and missed chances, of taking action in exploiting the land dragons, and making the mountains lands of prosperities instead of measly natural borders shrouded in superstitions. They were offering to send teams of sorcerers to explore the mountains and see once and for all if the rumors were true or not, and to settle the whole thing once and for all. Gaou himself never asked her about where exactly she came from, how her life was before him or any information about her people, it was something she would take to her grave and an ancestral taboo for the kingdom.

The greed in their eyes was frightening, and it was hard to stop Van, now a young man of fifteen with blood as hot as a dragon flame, from acting rashly with the envoy over their words and actions. As soft as her son was, he was still and foremost the apparent heir to the throne, and a proud member of the Fanel line, he wouldn't let anyone insult his kingdom, and family.

Diplomacy was a double edge sword.

Gaou made them leave, but it was too late, or maybe it was their intention all along, they acted like victims, and spoke of being insulted and disrespect, of hypocrisy and repercussions. They swore that it wasn't over, and that the time of the old ways was over, that Fanelia would have no choice but to bend in face to the new era brought by their empire,

their words were clear, a war was upon them.

Fanelia may be a warrior nation, but war was never the objective, only the last option and the empire was strong, too strong in front of what the kingdom could face. Gaou then asked her to be strong, to understand, to have faith, and at first she thought he was ready to go to war himself, but then Balgus came to them, announcing that Van was now ready to face the dragon.

Varie broke down, no longer caring about showing or not how she really felt and how weak she could be, she screamed, sobbed, and pleaded to them, not that, not her little boy. Again her pleas were ignored, after all what weighed the tears of a single woman, even a queen, in front of traditions, and war ? Van left for the hunt.

Ever since Varie became a shadow of herself, staying in her room all day, crying, not eating or sleeping, or simply watching the sky as time passed. No one was able to get her to react or act like the queen anymore, she was unreachable, not even by her husband or daughter, she was wasting away. It was as if she gave up on life altogether.

While the king took care of the kingdom and organized for the upcoming hardship, the queen sank deeper and deeper into apathy, and the whole kingdom waited for their prince and future king to come back, princess Merle stood witness to it all, her heart heavy.

Merle was watching her family break apart in front of her eyes, not knowing what to do. She barely remembers her birth parents, being a kitten when death claimed them at the hands of monsters, but she kept from that time the deep rooted fear of losing her family again. Unlike so many others around Gaea, she found a new family, who accepted her, respected her, loved her, and there was nothing she wouldn't do for them in return for their care. They may be her lords, but they were also her saviors, and her family. She was well aware that her position was not an easy one, as a princess not by birth, as a woman, and as a tiger, her life was meant to meet hardship at every turn. It was only their kindness that gave her the chance she now has, but it was fragile to begin with, and now it was crumbling before her very eyes.

When King Gaou, whom she only ever called father with utmost respect and far from prying eyes, no matter how often he reassured her she was his daughter, not just his charge, fell sick, Merle started to have terrible nightmares. Losing him was just inconceivable, not just because he was the king, but because, when lord Balgus brought her to the castle he took her in, and had always looked like a mountain to her, big and strong, and warm. Seeing him bedridden, looking frail, at death door terrified her.

What was she supposed to do to help him ? What would happen if the worst were to come ? Her revered mother, the queen, was just as desperate as her. Both of them relied on the king for so many things, but mostly for their safety within the noble society. Neither had anyone else to rely on if anything were to happen, the princes, her own brothers, wouldn't be able to protect them, not from everything, they already couldn't protect them from the horrible tea parties they had to attend as queen and princess.

Thankfully the king survived, like a miracle, but the fear she felt was so strong, it left her sleepless for weeks afterwards. Nightmares of what if and what could or would happen, plaguing her sleep

Then prince Folken decided to leave, and Merle was heartbroken.

Due to the age difference and status, she was never as close to Folken as she was with Van, but he was always the kindest person she ever knew. The smartest too, she couldn't count the number of times he helped her with her lessons. Folken was a saint, a calming presence, and brother anyone would want. During balls many ladies would swoon over him, not noticing Merle and Van snickering about their antics, both too young to be interested in their ideas of romances. He always took time to play with her and Van, even though his own lessons were important. And one day he just decided to leave.

She didn't understand then, and still didn't know why he took such a decision, but her queen mother always said the outside world was dangerous, and Merle believed her. After almost losing the king, the idea of losing prince Folken tore her heart in half. She acted childish and threw a tantrum, crying, clawing, she even broke a vase in her agitation. No one managed to calm her down, no amount of her nanny scolding or pleading from the maids could appease her, and it was Folken himself who stopped her, before she got hurt.

He sat her down on one knee, and Van on the other, both of them still crying, Van trying to hide his and failing, while she was clutching at her eldest brother tunic in a visceral grip.

He was so warm that day, so calm and patient with the both of them, like a mountain he was unmoveable. He took the time to explain he would only be gone for a while, not forever, that he would come home soon, and in the meantime write to them, and that in exchange they would need to work on their lettering and studies for them to send him letters of their own. The hug they got was a promise of a sort, and they accepted, naive as they were, even if on the day of his departure they both cried a bit each, because he was still leaving, and they were children.

She believed him, Folken never lied before, but years later, without news or letters, Merle cried in bitterness, he had broken his promise. Part of her still believed in him, of his one day return, but the other was angry at his lies, and their consequences.

Now a war was looming over their heads, and Folken was not back among them, and Van had to go through the rite to become king. Risking his life in the process, he could also succeed, but still lose his life in the upcoming war. Everything was a mess.

When Van left for the hunt, Merle tried to stay strong, the king was looking confident, and master Balgus was there, showing his support in his own way, her queen mother was shedding silent tears, but still looked dignified, for the sake of appearances mostly.

Privately Merle would cry, her world was crumbling down, and she couldn't do anything at all. She prayed for the safe return and victory of Van.

Van…

Merle knew she was a princess in name only, no matter the education her queen mother gave her, or the recognition she got from the king. She would never really be part of the

royal family and help her country like them. Being a tigress in the royal palace people often jeer at her, calling her the royal pet, and it always hurts her to hear them.

She wasn't weak, she knew how to defend herself, her claws and fangs were not for show after all. And thanks to her family, and tutors her tongue was just as sharp, but Van had always taken her side, defending her, protecting her.

He was her prince, her brother, her best friend, her…

She just wants this to be over with, for Van to fulfill his promise to come back and be done with it. If only he didn't have to wake up the Escaflowne upon his return, and then go fight in this damned war !

As the days passed, Merle did her duty as a princess, and took care of some matters partaking in the queen duties, as her queen mother was now in such deep sorrow and apathy, she couldn't do them. She tried her hardest to get any update on Van's situation, but to no avail, no one knew anything, and the last week of the hunt was upon them.

The fifth and final week of the hunt, at dawn of the third day cries from the gates woke the whole city.

Approaching the gates was a group of wolfmen, the usual caravan of healers and merchants, but at their head on a steed, was the prince Van.

Immediately, from the slums to the palace, everyone rejoiced. Everyone gathered at the plaza behind the gates as they were thrown open to let them enter the city.

Even as the people were full of joy, a certain restraint was still occurring as the king stepped forward to welcome his son, followed by the four samouraï generals and several council men.

At their approach, Van dismounted from his steed and went to meet them; they were solemn as expected, but pride was shining in king Gaou and Balgus' eyes.

"Van my son…"

With this single sentence, Van smiled slightly and lifted his arm, and as the sun rose, its first rays shone on the pink fist size gem resting firmly in his gloved hand.

Then loud and clear, he let his voice be heard.

"I, Van Fanel, having completed the Rite of Dragonslaying, have returned with a Drag-energist !"

The four samouraï kneeled down, and king Gaou bowed his head to his son in respect as the crowd exploded in cheers.

Fanelia has a new king.

Done ! As you can see this one was... really long, I don't know why. I gave Varie a background, a past, and maybe a few hints in what may or may not be going on. The thing is, we don't have any infos on her, where she come from, how old is she, how she manage as queen... So it's a lot of possibility for speculations, and fanfictions.

I put a lot in this chapter, but I hope you liked it, and will come back for the next chapter.

See you all next time !