Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ On a Wing and a Prayer ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

04/27/03: Hey everyone! Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I'll try to get the new chapters out a little bit faster, but I can't promise anything. This fic. is going way BEYOND my original expectations. In fact, it's turning into a very long epic! Thanks to CinderellaxVan for being the best beta reader I could have ever hope for!

Chapter 4

Katia couldn't help but stare in amazement at all of the beautiful portraits adorning the halls of the palace as the group made their way towards the throne room. But she also couldn't help but be nervous about meeting Van Fanel, King of all Fanelia.

<I wonder what he's like?> she thought as she looked at the group in front of her, <They all have such high respect for him, so he must be a nice person.> a small grin crept across her face. <And if he captured Hitomi's heart for all these years he must be damn gorgeous too.> She shook her head in an attempt to clear it and prevent a giggle from escaping her lips; again turning her attention to the portrait covered walls.

A picture suddenly caught her eye, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. There in the picture was Hitomi, albeit a much younger Hitomi. She had short hair and was wearing their old high school uniform. In her hand was a small, red crystal pendent on a gold chain. Katia's eyes lingered on the stone for a moment, something about it captivating her senses.

But it was the look in Hitomi's eyes that captivated Katia the most. For the entire time she had known Hitomi, her eyes had always held an undeniable sadness. But in this picture her eyes were bright and alive. The difference that it made was astounding.

She felt a hand rest gently on her shoulder and looked to see Millerna smiling at her.

"That was painted just before she left here the last time."

"She looks so different," Katia whispered as she turned back to the portrait. "I hardly recognized her." Katia's face was completely void of emotion; a look that Millerna had quickly learned meant that she was withdrawing into herself. If you wanted to know what she was feeling, you had to look at her eyes. But this time, even her eyes held nothing.

Merle came up beside the two women. "Lady Katia, do you know Hitomi?" Katia's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, but her expression remained the same.

<Lady Katia…I kinda like the sound of that.> She turned and looked hard at Merle for a moment. Allen and Millerna had told her that Merle had been a good friend of Hitomi's when she was here the first time, but Katia wasn't all that sure if she could trust the cat-woman.

Merle held her stare unwaveringly. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar about this girl, and the fact that she couldn't figure it out was driving her up the wall. Finally Katia sighed and turned her attention back to the portrait.

"Yes Lady Merle, I do know Hitomi." A dark, brooding expression clouded her face as she looked back at Merle. "Or at least I thought I did."

Merle was taken aback by Katia's sudden dark change of emotion and the look on her face. Her eyes widened in astonishment and she unconsciously took a step back from Katia. <That look…Lord Van always used to get that look when he thought about Hitomi!> She shook her head in an attempt to clear it, before looking back at Katia.

A look of puzzlement crossed Katia's face as she looked at the cat-woman, but Merle ignored it and walked right up to her, staring her in the eye. Katia held her ground and stared back.

<Who is she?> Merle thought to herself in frustration. <She looks so familiar, but I can't figure it out! UGH!!!>

"What do you mean by that?" Merle asked in a low voice. Katia's eyes briefly flicked over to Millerna before settling back on Merle, but she merely turned and walked towards Allen and Celena.

Merle's tail stood on end as she glared at Katia. No one ignored her like that! <When I get my hands on her, familiar or not, I'm going to use her legs as scratching posts!> she thought angrily; but before she had a chance to make good on that threat, she felt a hand rest firmly on her shoulder.

"Leave her alone Merle." Millerna said sternly.

Merle gave her a challenging look, but Millerna just shook her head and stared firmly at her. "That girl has been through a lot in the last few hours. You need to give her some time."

Merle gave Katia's back one last narrow eyed scowl before nodding her head and sighing. Millerna smiled and gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"Come on, Lord Van is waiting for us." Merle said as she walked to the front of the group again. She shot Katia one last angry look, but realized it was in vain since Katia was to preoccupied with her own thoughts to notice. Merle sighed again as she began leading the group the rest of the way to the throne room.

They continued walking down the hall until they reached two large oak doors bearing, what Katia assumed to be, the crest of Fanelia. Her heart began to beat wildly as Merle opened the doors and announced their arrival to the occupants of the room. Allen and Celena entered first, and Millerna grabbed Katia's hand, giving it one last reassuring squeeze before entering the throne room.

<It's now or never I guess.> Katia thought as she followed Millerna. Her eyes widened as she took in the splendour and simple elegance of the throne room. There was a raised platform with a single throne on it at the far end of the room. The walls were a gold color and the floor was done with blue tiles with a red carpet leading up to the platform.

<These must be Fanelia's royal colors.> she thought as she looked everywhere in the room except at the throne and the person she knew was sitting in it. The members of court were all looking at her quizzically. A few of the ladies whispered behind their fans and snickered at her. Katia's cheeks reddened slightly as anger and embarrassment started to consume her.

<I'd like to see how they would like it if they were in my place.> She cast her eyes to the floor, trying to ignore the snickering women. Angry thoughts continued to consume her as some of the women's snide remarks reached her ears. They only stopped when she ran into, what felt like, a brick wall. She turned crimson as she realized that she had walked into right into Merle. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes when she heard some of the members of court laughing at her. She wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

Merle's tail bristled and she shot Katia an angry look. Katia lowered her gaze to the floor and whispered an apology that even Merle's enhanced hearing had to strain to pick up. Merle's crystal-like blue eyes softened considerably when she noticed that Katia was trembling and tears were brimming in her eyes. Merle looked at her quizzically for a moment, not understanding what could possibly be preoccupying the girl so much.

"Look at the little urchin," Merle heard someone whisper. "She can't even walk properly." A few people laughed softly, but their laughter immediately died when Merle shot them a death glare.

<Those jerks! Just wait till I tell Lord Van about their behaviour.> Merle thought angrily; however, her eyes held no trace of anger as she turned back to the scared woman in front of her. In fact, she now completely understood what was bothering Katia so much; having gone through the same thing herself many years ago.

"Don't worry about it Milady." Merle told her calmly. Katia's eyes widened in astonishment as she looked up at Merle, but Merle merely smiled and held out her hand to her. Katia looked from Merle's hand and back to her eyes for a moment before taking it.

"Don't pay any attention to what those idiots say Katia," Merle whispered as she began to lead her towards the throne. Katia's face reddened even more as she realized Merle had heard them as well. "I'll make sure that they never speak to you that way again." Katia smiled at Merle, but her smile faded when she and Merle stopped in front of the throne.

Katia slowly raised her eyes to look at the young man she had heard so much about. He wore black dress pants and a red cotton button up shirt with the crest of Fanelia over his heart. She couldn't help but notice that he was very well built for a man as young as he was. Her eyes finally came to rest on his face, though what she found was not what she expected.

<Oh my God! I've seen this man before! I know him!> her eyes were wide in astonishment as she stared at the young king. <Where have I seen him before?>

Van stared back at her, surprise evident on his. <Who is this woman?> he thought in awe. <She looks…familiar.> then it dawned on him. <She looks just like my mother!>

The two of them held their stare for what seemed like an eternity, until someone jabbed Katia painfully in the ribs. Katia grabbed her side and looked over at a rather upset Millerna. Katia raised her eyebrows in question, but then noticed that Allen, Celena, and she were all bowing to Van. Her face reddened with embarrassment and she hastily bowed to the king before her.

Van stood up from his throne and looked curiously at the young ebony haired woman before him. Though he had absolutely no idea why, his heart was bursting with happiness at seeing her. <Wonder who she is.> he thought as got up and reached for his sword, attaching it around his waist before stepping off of the platform to stand in front of the group of travelers.

"I welcome you all to Fanelia, my friends." he said regally as they all stood up to face him. He smiled at Millerna when their eyes met. "It has been far too long Millerna."

Millerna smiled back and engulfed him in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you Van." She let him go and stepped away from him. "Dryden sends his regards and apologizes for not being here. The advisers needed him to tour the countryside and wouldn't permit him to postpone it."

Van chuckled and nodded knowingly before turning to Allen and Celena. "Allen my friend, it is good to see you. And Celena, I'm pleased that you were able to make it. I trust that you are both well?"

"Very well, Your Majesty." Allen replied with a grin. He could tell that there was something different about Van. There was a twinkle in his eyes that hadn't been there before, and Allen was positive he knew what had caused it.

Van turned his attention back to the Katia and smiled warmly. "I am Van Fanel." He said gently. "Might I ask your name?" Katia stood there and blinked for a few moments, not really sure what to say. It took a few moments, but she finally managed to find her voice again.

"My name is Katia Tsukino, Your Majesty." She said as she bowed low once again. "It is an honour to meet the young king of whom I have heard some many kind words about from Queen Millerna and Sir Allen."

Millerna and Allen looked at her in surprise. She had just spoken in the regal tone of a Lady of the court. <I had no idea she could speak like that.> Millerna thought in astonishment.

Van smiled at her before taking her hand and kissing the base of her knuckles. "Welcome to Fanelia, Milady." Katia's face turned a light shade of pink, but she smiled at him none the less.

Merle smiled at the scene, but a realization suddenly struck her. <Oh Gods!> she thought in amazement as she looked from Van to Katia. <That's where I know her from! She looks just like Lord Van!> She heard a slight gasp from beside her and turned to she Millerna looking at the two in shock. <She must have just noticed it too! How can this be possible?>

Millerna looked over and met Merle's eyes, astonishment and disbelief evident on her soft features. Merle simply nodded, not knowing how it was possible. But before either of them had a chance to think on it any further, a page at the end of the hall opened the doors to the throne room.

"Presenting Lady Hitomi Kanzaki." He announced in a booming voice. The whole hall turned to look at Hitomi as she gracefully walked towards Van and the others. She wore a long emerald green dress and her hair was loose around her shoulders. Van's face lit up as he waited for her to join them all.

Hitomi regally bowed to Van before walking up beside him. He smiled at her and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She smiled back at him and squeezed his hand back before taking notice of the group of travellers in front of her.

She smiled warmly at them all before quickly bowing. "Queen Millerna, it is wonderful to see you again." She said as she stood up to face her friend. Millerna smiled broadly and wrapped Hitomi in a tight hug, which Hitomi whole heartedly returned.

"It's great to see you too Hitomi! I've missed you so much!"

Hitomi stepped back and turned to Allen.

"Hello Allen." She said as she went to hug him as well. Allen just smiled and hugged her back.

"Welcome back to Gaea, Milady." He said with a warm smile.

"It's good to be back." She said with a grin and a quick look at Van. She then turned to Celena. "You look wonderful Celena."

"As do you Milady Hitomi." Celena said with a grin as she gave her friend a hug. "How have you been?"

"Very well, thank you. Just glad to see you all again." Hitomi turned to the last person in the group and stared in astonishment.

"Hitomi," Van began. "Allow me to introduce…"

"KATIA!" Hitomi shouted as she jumped to give her friend a hug. Katia laughed and hugged her tightly back.

"You didn't think I was going to let you leave me back home all alone did you 'Tomi?"

Hitomi took a step back and looked at her in bewilderment. "So…you were the one in the second pillar of light?" Katia nodded, causing Hitomi to smile broadly and give her another hug.

Van looked at the two in confusion. "So, you two know each other?" he asked Hitomi. She looked at him and smiled.

"Yes, Katia is the roommate I was telling you about Van." Van's eyes widened as he looked at Katia again. She blushed profusely under his gaze but held it unwaveringly.

After a moment, Van smiled at her. "Well, I'm glad that you have both come to Gaea." Hitomi went and stood at Van's side, a broad smile on her face. He returned it before looking at the entire group again. "But come, a feast has been arranged to celebrate Hitomi's return to Gaea. And I'm sure the kitchen staff is becoming impatient by now."

He offered his arm to Hitomi, which she happily accepted, and led the way out of the throne room. Allen took Millerna's arm and followed Van, with Celena, Merle and Katia close behind.

* * *

The feast turned out to be a huge, hastily organized ball. Katia followed everyone up to the head table, utterly awestruck at the splendour before her, but feeling more and more out of place. She sat down beside Hitomi and Merle at the head table and simply listened to the conversations around her during dinner. When the dishes were cleared, Van stood and held up his hands, calling for silence.

"I want to thank all of you for coming tonight on such short notice." He said to the now silent crowd. He took a moment to survey them all before continuing "This morning I thought that today was just going to be another ordinary day." He looked down at Hitomi and smiled warmly. "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the woman I love would at long last be returned to me." Hitomi smiled happily back at Van. "I also would never have imagined that she would be bringing a companion along with her." He glanced briefly at Katia before looking out over the crowd again. "I would like you all to treat Lady Katia with the same respect as you would Lady Hitomi. She too, is a welcome guest of this kingdom." Katia blushed profusely as she felt the eyes of everyone in the hall turn to her.

"That being said, I have an important announcement to make." Van continued as he once again looked down at Hitomi. "I have at long last found a prospective queen for Fanelia." Hitomi's eyes widened as Van took her hand and pulled her up beside him.

"Hitomi," he whispered softly. "Will you do me the honour of becoming my bride and make me the happiest man on all of Gaea?" He pulled a small box from his pocket and held it out to her. Hitomi took the box with a trembling hand and opened it, sucking in an astonished breath as she looked at the ring inside. It was a simple silver band with a single large diamond in the center and two small drag-engergist crystals on either side. She looked at Van with tears in her eyes, a look of happy disbelief etched on her face.

<Oh Gods! Is this really happening?> she mused as she numbly felt Van take her hand and slid the ring onto her left ring finger. It was an absolute perfect fit, almost as if it had been made for her finger. Tears began sliding down Hitomi's cheeks as she looked from the ring and back at Van, a broad smile crossing her face as his question began fully to sink in. She leapt happily into his arms, not being able to contain the joy in her heart any longer.

"Oh course I'll marry you!" she whispered excitedly into his ear. Van's eyes widened and a look of pure joy crossed his face as he hugged her back, but his royal manner quickly took over again as he set her down gently beside him.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly addressing the entire hall again. "Allow me to present to you the future queen of Fanelia, Hitomi Kanzaki!" There was a stunned silence, but Merle soon got up and began to clap. Soon Millerna, Katia, Allen and the rest of the head table joined in, followed by the rest of the hall.

Van put his arm around Hitomi's waist and held her close, smiling at the occupants of the hall. When the applause finally died down, they all resumed their seats.

"Congratulations Hitomi!" Merle squealed as she leapt up and grabbed Hitomi in a hug. Hitomi laughed happily and returned Merle's hug.

"Yes, congratulations to both of you." Allen said as he shook Van's hand and gave him a friendly hug.

"It's been a long time coming." Millerna said as she both gave Van and Hitomi a hug.

Van could no longer contain the tears of happiness that had been threatening to spill down his cheeks. He tried to wipe them away without anyone noticing, but they just kept coming.

<Oh screw it!> he thought as he gave up trying to hide them. <Let them see my tears of joy. I don't care what they say!>

With all the hugging and congratulating going on, no one noticed the lone ebony haired figure slip out of the room in tears.

Katia walked hurriedly through the halls of the castle, not really sure where she was going; just knowing that she had to get away from the happy group.

<God, what's wrong with me?> she mentally screamed. <It's not that I'm not happy for Hitomi and King Van,> she thought as she pulled the pins out of her hair, letting it fall down around her waist. <On the contrary, I know that they will be very happy together. It doesn't take long to realize how much they love each other and that they belong together.> She stopped and leaned against the wall, wiping the tears away. <It's just…what the hell am I here for?>

She continued making her way through the halls of the castle until she found herself outside in the gardens. She looked up at the Earth and moon hanging in the sky, but the sight only caused her sobbing to double in intensity.

"I DON'T BELONG HERE!" she shouted at no one in particular as the tears continued streaming down her face. Sobs continued to rake her body as she stood staring up at the Earth and moon.

Not being able to stand the sight any longer, she began running as fast as she could through the gardens and away from the palace, not caring where she ended up.

A grove of trees on the far side of the garden caught her eye and she ran headlong into them, hoping that they would shield her from the turn her life had taken in the last few hours. Her legs and lungs began to burn from the effort, but she didn't care. She just wanted to get away, far away.

She soon reached a clearing, and only then did she stop to catch her breath. A slight breeze rustled through the trees, sweeping her hair across her face. The hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood on end in warning. She whirled around and assumed a defensive position.

"Who's there?" she shouted, but no answer came. She pivoted around on her heels and did a quick sweep of the clearing.

"I know you're there so you may as well…" but the words died in her throat as her eyes came to rest on the silhouette of something huge kneeling beside a large monument. She cautiously made her way towards it, keeping her senses sharp and alert for any sound of movement.

Whatever it was, it had been there for a very long time; weeds and ivy vines had almost completely hidden it from view.

<This is just like the thing I saw in the hanger bay on the airship.> she thought as she circled the thing. <It looks like a giant Mech warrior.> Something on the things chest sparkled in the moonlight, catching her eye. She stopped and tried to get a closer look. It looked like a large pink crystal right where a heart would be. She made a quick visual sweep of the clearing, making sure that no one else was there, before beginning to climb up the things leg.

She soon stood in front of the crystal, her tear stained reflection looking back at her. She brushed the ivy vines away and, her curiosity getting the better of her, lightly touched the crystal.

The crystal began to glow an intense bright pink, and steam began pouring out from some vents beside her. Katia quickly pulled her hand away and shielded her eyes from the light.

<Oh no…I think I broke it.> She thought as she slowly started to back up in fear, entirely forgetting about her skirt until it was too late.

Her foot caught the hem of her gown and sent her tumbling to the ground with a shout. She lay sprawled on the ground for a moment in shock, the wind knocked out of her lungs. Coughing loudly in an attempt to catch her breath, she sat up and looked again at the Mech. Her eyes widened as she noticed the now open cockpit, daring her to enter.

"Escaflowne has just acknowledged your birthright." Came a soft voice from behind her. Katia whirled quickly around, looking for the source of the voice. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened in astonishment as the simmering image of a beautiful ebony haired woman appeared kneeling down in front of her.

"Do not be afraid my child," Said the woman gently as she caressed Katia's cheek.

"Who are you?" Katia asked in a frightened voice. The woman smiled warmly at her.

"My name is Varie Fanel." Katia's eyes widened considerably, but Varie simply continued to smile at her. "Van is my son, just as you are my daughter."