Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Though Time and Space Separate Us... ❯ Performance of Fate ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

It was too sudden, he knew. But he knew that if he put it off too long, he would change his mind. He looked out to the storm raging outside as he placed the note on his bed. He had cleaned the room himself so no one would suspect anything about his sudden departure, not even the maid.

Van tucked his sword securely onto his belt as he struggled to carry his belongings, stored in boxes, out to his the stable where his carriage was waiting. Opening the door, he walked blindly down the hall, but he knew the way to the stable by heart. Once there, he handed his 'luggage' to the footman and climbed inside. He did not leave, though. Another passenger would be coming.

Princess Faye was late. Van grew impatient, but tried not to show it as she slipped into the carriage beside him.

"Sorry I'm late, Van. But my father insisted I be dressed for Fanelia's cool weather." Van nodded, his impatience melting away.

"All right, we're ready." Van called out to the driver. He flicked the reins and they were off. Van looked out the window, thinking about all that had happened. He had agreed to let Faye come with him until he could think about their proposed marriage thoroughly. King Gendas had agreed when Van told him about his idea and he and Faye had been preparing to leave for the last two hours. It was eleven o'clock and still raging outside in the dark sky, but Van had decided to leave anyway so no one would come after him right away.

Faye leaned her head against his shoulder in the carriage. Van still couldn't believe it. Princess Faye was only fourteen years old, but she was mature for her age. Her hair shone in the dim candlelight of the carriage, a silky blond, bleached by the desert sun. It was long and it threaded through his own dark locks as he leaned his head on hers. Would he ever learn to love her? He must try, at least. He made an attempt to casually hold her hand, but he ended up knocking her with his elbow.

"I'm sorry!" he apologized quickly, but she said it was all right. He couldn't show love very well, even if put in that kind of situation. Eventually, he put his arm around Faye. What he didn't know was that she was enjoying all his attention, even the elbow in her side. It was late and Van held her close as she fell asleep. It was lucky that she did, a whole new country lay in wait for her. He wondered if she would adjust well. Half of him hoped she wouldn't and she would go back to Genduta. What a stupid thing to wish!

Van shut the window so the cold wind couldn't make its way into the carriage. He watched Faye sleeping, but he couldn't sleep himself. He knew he was doing the right thing; as a king. Political marriages were the best way to go nowadays, rather than war. Many of his fellow kings had more than one wife, along with other lovers out of wedlock. Why should he be any different? Van was different though; he wanted only one woman whom he would love. Was that selfish? And could Faye be this woman? Only the future would tell.

But Hitomi always came to his mind as well. He remembered that as she was leaving, she had given him her pendant so he wouldn't forget her. Well, it had worked. He couldn't forget her. But time was slowly wearing on and he felt less and less close to her. It was impossible to maintain a relationship across their two worlds. Van promised that he would always think of Hitomi, and now he vowed to visit her to see how her life had changed as his had.

Just as he made his silent vow, the carriage came to a sudden halt. Faye woke up as they ran over a rock on their path.

"What's going on?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes. Van shrugged.

"I don't know." He looked out the carriage window to see what was happening. The way had been blocked off by... of all things, a tent! In this weather?! Van glanced up at the driver.

"Charles! What's going on?" he shouted, coming out of the carriage. The driver shook his head.

"These wandering entertainers set up their camp here. People like that shouldn't be allowed to have a business that takes away from other ones." Charles said with a touch of contempt on his voice.

"Tell them that they are being rude and they should consider others besides themselves." Van said in annoyance as he climbed back in. The driver did so as one of the clowns approached them. Ignoring Charles, he went straight to the carriage. "You there, STOP!" yelled one of Van's soldiers, making a move toward the clown. However, he reached the carriage first.

"King Van of Fanelia." he said simply. Van looked at the clown, in his odd baggy pants, big shoes, and purple hair and answered, "Yes?" The clown studied Van hard for several minutes until Faye spoke up.

"Excuse me, sir. You're being very rude. What may we do for you?" The clown looked at Faye and smiled.

"Ah... I can see things you cannot. I know that you will invite us to Fanelia for a performance." Van stared. Why in the world would he invite these vagabonds after the treatment he had received from them?

"There's no way I will." he stated, crossing his arms. The clown laughed.

"Fate has it in store for you." He turned, leaving them with that thought. Van hated that word Fate. It reminded him of the previous war that had destroyed Fanelia when, Emperor Dornkirk of Zaibach had tried to make a machine that would control Fate. It was possible to change your destiny, Van believed in that. A person made his own destiny. But he didn't believe that a machine could ever do it like the way a person's will could. There was just no way.

However, before he could think more about it, the carriage began to move again. The troupe had moved their tent out of the way and watched them make a quick exit. Van wondered if they would be all right in this weather. He tried to convince himself that they would since they were probably used to it. Besides, why should he care about their fate? It was more important to care about your own.

Faye leaned against him again, the warmth of her body relaxing him. He soon began to forget about the rude group and thought about purchasing construction equipment for his planned wells.

The carriage continued to rumble along and its rocking soon made Van feel drowsy. He leaned his head against Faye's and went to sleep.

Van awoke with a start early the next morning. The sun was just peeking over the horizon and it had started to shine on his weary eyes. Faye was still leaning on him, and he realized that his arm was now numb. However, he didn't move until the carriage stopped, just as she was waking up. Rubbing her eyes, she asked where they were.

"We're right outside Fanelia now." Van answered as he looked out the window. He had wanted to get to Fanelia quickly, just because he wanted to show Faye around. He got out, helping her descend the steps. The guards on duty whooped and cheered when they saw their king home again. Van smiled, glad to have something to show off to Faye. One of them approached Van.

"How was it, your Majesty? Were you able to find any answers to our problems?" he asked. Van nodded, explaining about the water and unemployment problems that would be solved. He cheered again as Van, with Faye beside him, made his way to his manor.

"Van, you know..." Faye said as they continued on, "That crowd we passed by yesterday was a travelling group of performers called the 'Desert Jugglers' heading out Fanelia's way. I heard they were from Genduta and..." She finished shyly. Van nodded, understanding what she meant.

"You would like to see them. Whatever you want." He showed Faye to her room. "I'll get a hold of them somehow."

"Thank you, Van." she said as he closed the door. He made his way to his study and quickly scrawled down a message to the 'Desert Jugglers'. Her first day here and he was already letting her see a show. He knew she would love it. Hopefully it would distract her long enough until he could make his decision to marry her or not. Sending out his swiftest messenger, he hoped that the performance could be held that afternoon. This was a change from a couple of days ago. He was actually going to have some fun. Well, Millerna, I took your advice, I'm taking time for myself.

When the messenger had left, Van realized something. The clown from yesterday had said that Van would hold a performance in Fanelia. And he had said he wouldn't. It was strange, but he had still done it. At once, Van knew that this show would be an interesting one.

Inside Van's manor, the Desert Jugglers had gathered, setting up their curtain and platform in preparation for the performance. Van and Faye were seated in the grand chairs at the end of the room, awaiting the show. Faye was getting excited; although she tried to hide it under a calm visage, Van could clearly see her eyes lit up in anticipation. He smiled, glad to be making her happy, even if he did have something against the troupe. Van had also invited several of his lords as well as much of Fanelia's population, free of charge, to watch it, so the audience was a varied bunch.

In time, the curtain was lifted and the first act came on immediately. The lone female dancer onstage was lying prostrate on the floor. She stood up and began her routine, using the whole stage to convey her graceful figure to the audience. Van rolled his eyes as several guys in the crowd whistled inappropriately every time her back was turned to them. Their whistles soon turned to quiet boos when a male dancer joined her onstage. The two of them held each other close as their bodies synchronized together, performing their dance. Van felt a little chill, almost as if he was missing some kind of warmth. He reached out and put his arm around Faye and she, accepting it, leaned against him. However it didn't help him.

The dance ended with the man and woman lying down as if dead. The minstrels continued to play and Van, wondering what would happen next, leaned forward when several fireworks exploded on the stage. Shimmering with their colourful light, the explosion covered the two figures onstage and when the smoke cleared, they were gone. Several murmurs ran through the crowd when suddenly a whistle sounded on the wall of the stage. The dancers stood there, waving to the amazed audience. Everyone applauded wildly and next to him, Faye stood up, her applause rising above the rest. The man spoke up, announcing the what was up next.

"We will need a volunteer for the next act." The crowd whispered excitedly as several people raised their hands. Van remained where he was, not wanting to make a fool of himself. However, the lady dancer smiled and acknowledged him.

"How about the sour King of Fanelia?" she said sweetly, causing the crowd to laugh. Van realized that he was frowning and he had his arms crossed, so he must have looked cranky. He let them fall to his side and stood up, attempting to smile as he walked up to the stage.

Van stood onstage as a woman approached him from behind the stage, dressed in a dark blue robe, huge gold hoops in her ears, and sandals on her feet. Her dark hair was bundled up in a turban with a few wisps hanging down from it. Van stood there, trying to look indifferent to this woman who circled around him and occasionally hummed a tune in a language he didn't understand. She did this for several minutes until, as Van was getting a little edgy standing there, she stopped.

"The stars have told me this man's life story." Van started to protest that statement when she began humming again.

"You have just returned from an important meeting in Asturia with your bride-to-be, correct?" Van nodded. Everyone knew that; what made her so special? However, she wasn't finished.

"King Van. You are unsure whether or not you should marry her." A gasp went up in the crowd and Van turned to them, shaking his head.

"It's not true!" he implored to them. Faye sat far from the stage, but Van saw that her eyes were widened in shock.

"The King..." the fortune teller said in a low voice, "...loves another." The crowd began to speak loudly, some debating this statement, while others agreed with it. Princess Faye looked as if she would fall over that second. Instead, she got up and ran from the room, her hands pressed to her face. Van turned to the fortune teller, angry that she had upset Faye. But had she really? It was he, Van, who had upset her. He couldn't sort out his feelings and now look what had happened. He had to talk to her.

As he left, Van heard the fortune teller still making predictions. "There will be a marriage soon..." she said, just as Van left the room.

Van found Faye in her room, sprawled on her bed. He sat down next to her, placing his hand on her back. Knowing it was him, she shifted her body so she couldn't see his face.

"It's not true, is it? You don't have another woman? That damn fortune teller was just acting, right?" she said, her voice muffled. Van drew in a breath.

"No, she's not. But Faye, listen to me... that- that was a long time ago." Van explained gently.

"It was?" she turned to look at him finally, wiping her eyes. He nodded, bringing her into a hug.

"It didn't work out between us. She lives too far away." Faye hugged him back.

"Van..." she said. He looked into her face, holding her shoulders.

"Faye... will you marry me?" he asked as he reached for the diamond ring he had purchased in Asturia. He placed it on her finger, watching her amazed expression with a smile on his face.

"Of course, Van!" She threw her arms around him, almost crying in delight. "When?"

"Tomorrow if you want. In fact, it will be tomorrow! Let's start preparing, all right?" Van felt the excitement rising inside him like a geyser as the pair discussed their wedding plans.

Van announced the marriage to Fanelia that evening, declaring a celebration to be held. The people of Fanelia began to rejoice as they partied most of the night, toasting to their King several times.

That night someone familiar showed up in Fanelia.

Van stood on his balcony as the tailors sewed his wedding garments, doing an excellent job on such short notice. Van, however, preferred to be alone to try them on. As he did, he recalled the day's events. Once King Van set out to do something, he made sure it was done and done soon, even his own wedding. He was relieved that his quick thinking had saved him from disgrace. He came back from the balcony overlooking the manor grounds and stood to look in the mirror.

Just then, his door burst open. Van whirled around to see who had burst in so suddenly. To his great surprise, Allen Schezar stood there. Van smiled at his old friend.

"Hello, Allen. What do you think?" He didn't notice as Allen came up and grabbed him around the neck, thrusting him into the wall. Van, in shock, could only say, "Allen, what-"

"You're getting married? What are you thinking, you idiot?!" Allen yelled, clutching his throat tighter. Van didn't know what he was talking about.

"What's wrong, Allen? I know it's a little short-notice, but I already-" he tried to say.

"What about Hitomi?" Van flinched at her name, but he replied in defiance, "What about her?"

Allen replied, as he pushed Van into the wall with more force, "She was coming to see you tomorrow! She was injured by the wandering bandits on the clearing outside Asturia!" Hitomi here? Van couldn't believe it; she was here again. But it was the worst time to visit, what with those bandits around and now his wedding. Hitomi would be devastated.

"Don't tell her, Allen! I'm begging you, she can't know about this!" At that moment, some soldiers rushed in and dragged the struggling Allen away.

"We're in Herisia, if you care at all!" Allen shouted as he was hauled away. Van gazed after his angry friend as he struggled to tell more until the doors were shut and he was gone. One of the soldiers approached Van.

"I thought Sir Allen Schezar was your ally!" he exclaimed in amazement. Van looked down at the floor.

"He is... and I think he was trying to help me..."