7 August 2002

Gomen nazi for taking so long with posting this next chapter, minna, demo I was working on a major personal project that I hope someday all of you will get a chance to read once I get it published ^_^

But for now, on with the story!!!

Arigatou to Logan91235 for his help as a sounding board and for helping me figure out Van's speech.

The Vision of Escaflowne :

"The Return"

By : The MOUSE

Merle gave a loud yawn as she stretched lazily, waking from one of the best dreams she had experienced in a long time. Part of her regretted having to wake from it, while the other part screamed in excitement for her to get up. Today was the day.

She growled to herself. What's so special about today? she self questioned.

Baka! Today, Lord Van announces his engagement to Hitomi to all of Fanelia. Get up or you'll miss it!

Her head sprang up, bright eyes wide and awake. Right, as if I'd miss that.

She stretched again and looked to the head of the bed where Kanzaki Hitomi still lay, sleeping soundly even after the attack last night. It was obvious she trusted Merle's heightened animal senses and sharp cat claws to keep her safe through the night. Despite the fights they had gotten into in the past, always quarreling with each other, they had become the best of friends. Candor was often a powerful tool in instigating friendships.

Merle crept to the head of the bed and gave Hitomi a nudge.

The girl didn't react.

Again Merle poked at her arm.

She groaned and rolled over, ignoring the lithe cat girl.

"Hitomi." Merle whined, giving her shoulder a shake. "Wake up!"

"Just five more minutes." Hitomi mumbled into her pillow.

"C'mon, Hitomi. Breakfast'll be ready in a little bit. You don't want to miss it, do you?"

"Maybe." came the new mumble.

"No, you don't. Not since this'll be a busy day for you."

She raised her head slightly, her green eyes opening to mere slits. "Busy day?"

Merle balled her fists on her hips in growing frustration. "As in the grand re-opening of Fanelia. As in Lord Van's announcement of you as his choice for his Queen. Remember now?"

With a near screech of panic, Hitomi bolted from the bed, nearly throwing Merle to the ground in the process. She ran the short way to her closet and flung it open, frantically searching through dress after dress to find just the right one in the perfect shade. She suddenly growled in frustration.

"I have absolutely nothing to wear!" she wailed.

The young female cat began to laugh. "Well over five hundred dresses to choose from and you say you have nothing to wear. Do you know how crazy that sounds?"

The seeress had to pause, then cracked a sheepish grin. "Does sound looney. But this dress has to be absolutely perfect for today."

"Hai, hai, of course. Move over a second."

With her head and shoulders buried in and amongst all the silks and satins, Merle rummaged through the closet, her tail flicking back and forth with each find she came across. The movements became more erratic with each better find. Suddenly, her tail stuck straight up, ramrod stiff.

"Aha! Perrrfect." she cooed from the depths.

Hitomi's green eyes sparkled is awe at the shimmering fabric. "Oh, Merle, you're a genius!"

"I know." she grinned simply.

* * *

Covered in a heavy cloak of electric blue velvet, Princess Cadoma casually walked the edge of the Palace palisade, searching for the hidden steel grate she had spied during her late night excursion the day before. If her contact had read the message correctly then this grate would be where they would meet. Ducking beneath a low hanging tree, she found her target, half hidden by freshly fallen snow. Beyond it should see a number of huddled figures partly buried in the snow, doing their best not to shiver in the cold. She smiled to herself in satisfaction.

"Sheahan." she called softly to the figures. "We are pleased to see you received Our message."

"That we did, little Princess." he grunted, his dark eyes seeming to burn like coals. "That payment you promised better be big or else you might just find yourself among the hostages."

She frowned. "You will get your reward when the witch from the Moon of Illusions is dead and when We are sitting on Fanelia's throne as its Queen."

* * *

Van Fanel's heart pounded hard and fast as he stood just within the balcony entryway, tugging nervously at the sleeves of his formal uniform of office. In the next few moments he would step out there and announce to the world that his dearest Hitomi had accepted to become his Queen. It was like a dream come true to the young King, a dream that had haunted him from the moment he realized just how much the girl from the Moon of Illusions really and truly meant to him.

Dear gods above, if this really is all a dream, then don't ever let me wake from it, he pleaded, his eyes shut tight.

"You almost look as if you're about to go to war." A gentle voice quipped from off to his side.

He smiled. "And yours is the face that would launch that war, Hitomi."

He looked at her and felt his heart skip a beat in awe. If ever stood a more ethereal being on Gaia, Hitomi easily outshone that being at that very moment. The gown she wore rivaled the color of the finest sapphires, an intricate layer of white lace overtop the blue silk to mute the color. It accented her every curve beautifully yet subtly. The lace opened in an upside down V on the front of her skirts while it rose high on her throat and covered the length of her arms. A royal blue cloak lay draped over her arm, ready to be worn the moment she stepped out into the cold on the balcony. Her pendant caught the day's light and glinted fiercely, its pink a sharp contrast to the white and blue of her gown.

Hitomi smirked at his awed expression. "You're cute when you're dumbstruck." She giggled.

He blinked, recovering, and grinned. "I'll be dumbstruck a lot then. Each time you step into sight."

She had the grace to blush. "Flatterer."

Van walked up to her and gently cupped her face in his hands, gazing into her eyes with all the love he possessed for her. Ever so tenderly he warmed her lips with his own, a kiss so tender that her heart ached for more.

"Ready for this?" he asked her when he pulled away.

It took a moment for her to recover from the embrace before she smiled. "I've been ready for this for the last five years."

"Then let's not waste another second." he chuckled, indicating the balcony with an upturned hand.

With a slightly giddy giggle she preceded him onto the balcony filled with dignitaries, taking a brief moment to secure her cloak in place to protect her from the cold.

* * *

From her hiding place Cadoma grit her teeth at the sight of her King kissing the simple looking witch. This girl wore no jewels, no fancy gown, there was just nothing eye catching about her yet Fanel had eyes only for her.

Bide you time, Cadoma, she cautioned herself. Soon she'll be gone for good and We will be the only one Our dear King will ever have eyes for.

* * *

Van stepped up to the edge of the balcony, greeted by a roar from the gathered crowd below. He smiled at them, taking a moment to look behind himself at his gathered friends and comrades in arms. Hitomi stood with her family, glowing with pride and excitement. Merle stood not too far away as a friend and bodyguard to the seer, her orange fur nearly glowing so much it shone. Millerna and Allen held reserved, proud smiles for the young King and Prince Sid nearly bounded anxiously. Van smiled at them all, then returned his attention to the boisterous crowd, raising his arms to quiet them.

"Pepople of Fanelia!" His voice echoed over the silence. "I watched as you all came together and set about the task of restoring our fair city. I stand before you, looking out over a great nation... Our enemies thought scattering us to the winds could destroy us. They thought our strength had been destroyed alongside our army. They thought that we, as a people, were only as invulnerable as the walls of our ramparts. And now they are gone and we stand once more!"

The crowd erupted into cheers once more, quieting at a sign from their King.

"Our strength, our resolve, and our unity lay not in our countryside, but in our people! I stand before you now on the dark anniversary of Fanelia's longest night. We were tested and, by what I see now as I look out over our city and our people, I know without question that the bonds we share are stronger then anything our enemies could ever destroy. On this day, five years ago, we stood up as a nation and showed the world our true mettle!"

Even louder cheers rose up from the multitude, pride filling the air at their own exploits.

Then, when they had quieted again, "This is why I have also chosen this day among all others, this day we celebrate our city's rebirth much like the phoenix rising from the ashes, to announce two more grand occasions. The first grand occasion is the return of our dearest of friends, the Lady Hitomi of the Moon of Illusions!"

The young King held his hand out to his beloved, quietly beckoning her to him as the masses once again cheered in welcome. Taking his gloved hand, Hitomi held her breath before looking out at all the people. They stretched as far as the eye could see, jostling with each other to get the best possible view of the balcony high above. She smiled at them all, at their devotion to their young ruler and to their city, and waved to the people, much to their delight. It was heartwarming to know they remembered all that had happened even after five years and still had the courage to move on. She felt Van squeeze her hand and she turned to smile at him. A bright and passionate fire glowed in his dark eyes as he looked at her, a gaze that sent a pleasant thrill up her spine.

"The second grand occasion is Lady Hitomi's acceptance to become Fanelia's Queen!"

If anyone had thought the throngs of people had been loud before, their next cheer easily changed their minds. Van heard none of it so much he was lost in the bright green depths of Hitomi's eyes.

"Seven days hence we will celebrate our nuptials. Everyone is welcome to attend!"

The people began to shout, long live Lord Van, and, long live Lady Hitomi, up to the oblivious couple. It had been obvious to everyone who had ever seen the pair together that this was what both had wanted for a long time. Some of the bolder attendees began chanting for them to kiss to seal their promise. The pair seemed to respond to this call, Van tugging Hitomi in close to himself, his arm snaking around her slim waist.

* * *

With a low growl Cadoma shone a small mirror down at the crowd.

It was the awaited signal.

* * *

Hitomi could almost taste Van's lips on her own, his breath caressing her skin, when a violent explosion rattled the balcony. Screams and smoke filled the air. People ran in every which direction as burly men plowed through the gathered innocents. Another explosion shattered the air and Van ducked slightly in reflex, pulling Hitomi close to himself to protect her from this sudden madness. She clung to his coat, her eyes searching her surroundings through the thickening smoke. She saw Allen and Sid lead her family back inside and away from any danger. She thought she caught a glimpse of Princess Cadoma's face through the smoke, but she quickly dismissed the thought when the attackers began pouring onto the balcony at them. Van's arms tightened around his future Queen and quickly ushered her into the Palace and to safety.

Hitomi trembled in his arms.

God help us! It's starting!

To Be Continued...