Just Like Old Times
Part One
"Meryl! If you are going to be present for the welcoming banquet of Lady Helen, you must be properly attired!" An elderly woman scolded, looking exhausted and exasperated.
Meryl folded her arms and pouted. A pile of shredded material lay at her feet.
Warm morning sunshinepoured in through the large window of a grand room within Fanelia's Palace. It had been five years since the girl from the Mystic Moon had visited. Meryl missed her now and then. But how could you so easily forget someone who saved you entire world and made your only friend and companion so happy?
"Merly! Are you listening to me?!" The old woman barked making Meryl's fur stand on end.
"Oh! I can't see what;s so wrong about what I'm wearing right now!" She yelled back striving to keep her temper in check.
The old woman simply gawked at the blue smock she wore. Meryl grumbled and stormed out of the room, bumping into Van as he passed.
"Oww! Why don't you look where you're..." Meryl cried before looking up from the floor to see with whom she had collided. "Lord Van!" She cried with glee as she wrapped her now more shapely form around his taller and broader frame.
"Meryl, you'd better take more care where you're walking" He laughed as he pryed himself from her iron grip. "Now, what's wrong?"
The young cat woman's smile dropped and she began to sulk "The old bag wants me to wear some frilly circus tent just because Helen of Bancore is coming"
"Well that's not a very nice thing to say" He reminded her gently, ruflling her long peachy hair "And anyway, I think you'd look very elegant in a dress"
Meryl's face lit up. "You really think so Lord Van?" Her tail becoming erect and waving in the air as her eyes twinkled with adoration.
Van nodded softly.
"Then I'll do it!" She announced bounding around him.
"Meryl! you're supposed to be lady!" Van falsely scolded, mimicking the old lady withing earshot.
Then another voice chimed in "And a very lovely lady she is." A small cat man stood further along the corridor. He stood with a rather timid stance. His small dark eyes stared out with a shocking admiration, which would make even Allen Shazar blush.
Meryl edged towards Van, feeling vulnerable at his penetrating stares.
"Oh Meryl, this is my new assistant, Hector"
Meryl nodded politely, as Van seemed to be comfortable and happy in the man's company.
"Now, we've got matters which need attending...try not to harrass the staff too much Meryl" Van teased tussling her hair again.
She watched the two figures leave. She loved Van so. He had always been her other half and her heart had flowed when he and Hitomi had admitted their feelings to one another. Well part of her heart at least. The other part - the part of her that yearned for him to love her in the serious way - had fluttered with despair. But upon watching him mope and look like a tormented soul had made her want him to be happy with Hitomi. The side that had wanted to be with him had withered from all hope and only clung loosely to every hug, lick and smile they shared. At least now, Van was not in mortal danger everyday, nor did he have to worry about anything but the everday comings and goings of Fanelia,
Meryl sat down and began to preen herself when a shrill voice skwawked from the room making her fur stand on end.
* * *
"Look, I don't care what you think, I love Hitomi and I could never marry someone else!" Van pounded his fist on the long ornate wooden table.
"But Lord Van, it's Fanelia's future we're thinking about, when the time comes you'll have to have an heir." An Old Man stuttered gasping to shout.
"When the time comes! That's when I'll think about it, now stop throwing princesses at me! Please!" He said as he sat back in his chair heavily, conceeding to their wishes for the moment. The eventuality scared him.
"Lord Van the matter at hand still remains; will you or will you not dine with Helen of Bancore this evening?!"
Van clasped his hands and leant his elbows on the polished surface of the table, staring at the run of the wooden grain. "Alright, I'll dine with her" He said quietly, doing anything for a bit of piece from their constant hounding.
The council sighed and began to tidy away their papers and documents.
It had been five years since Van had last held Hitomi in his arms. He saw her almost everyday, as he thought about her, but it wasn't enough anymore, he'd seen her mature into a woman in front of him. It killed him that they'd both have to be lonely, even though now they could be married. He needed her there, not just spiritually, but physically. He needed her strength once again. He hoped that she would one day long to come back as much as he longed for her to come to Fanelia. He hoped that she'd want to be his bride and mother of his heirs. The heirs that everyone in Fanelia was so desperate to see.
Van stood up and walked towards the window. The view was amazing; it looked out upon the lively valley which was Fanelia. Milerna had been right, despite her ignorant tongue, Fanelia did look like giant Emerald; green and dazzling in the sun. Van couldn't help but wonder to himself, what the fate of this jewel would be without Hitomi
Just then a small voice interupted his thoughts. "Uh...excuse me your majesty, may I have a word with you?"
Van turned to see Hector lurking in the shadows of the doorway. His slightly haunched figure reminded Van of a burnt out match stick
"Yes of course Hector but not now I have much on my mind" He said turning to resume his brooding.
"Sir I would not ask if it were not of the utmost importance" He pleaded edging further into the room but still keeping to the shadows, his small dark eyes eagerly awaiting.
"Very well then, what is it?" Van huffed trying not to show his impatience.
"It's Lady Meryl Sire..."
"What's wrong? is she hurt?!" The young man leapt from his chair ready to run to her room.
"No sir...It's a personal matter of my own"
"Oh?" The young Prince enquired cautiously sitting back down in his regal, highbacked chair.
"Yes your highness, you see I am not married and Lady Meryl would make a wonderful wife for any man. I wonder if you might give your consent and ask her for me...sir?" He leant forward wringing his hands in a distracting manner.
Van was a little shocked to say the least. Meryl? Get married? He'd never even thought about it. He couldn't imagine Meryl dressing in a white gown with her bouqet. Nor could he imagine the little hunch-backed cat man recieving her at the alter either. But Hector was a good man and would take good care of his dear little Meryl.
After a long pause, Van gave his answer.
"Alright Hector I shall ask her for you"
Hector sighed and laughed a gasping, nervous chuckle as he continued to wring his hands. Smiling and showing his creamy-white teeth, he made his way bowing and muttering thanks to the door.
The young Fanelian prince turned to the window once again. Was he doing the right thing dining with Helen tonight? What if she were stunningly beautiful? What if he felt himself falling for her? He couldn't betray the bond he shared with Hitomi. Was he doing the right thing giving Meryl's hand in marriage to Hector? What if Meryl refused? He couldn't force her.
Van sighed "This is the life of a King", he said quietly to himself.
The sun was setting in the west and the moon and it's mystic partner hung high in the sky, keeping their ever silent vigil. A discontented young monarch paced about his quarters. Hector finished arranging his robes.
"Would you please get me a drink Hector?" Van asked through his nervous exterior
"Certainly my lege" Hector dipped his head and exited the room bowing his head as he passed Meryl who was making her way across the room. The young cat-girl gave him a quizzical look, but carried on walking.
"Lord Van, Lord Van! Aren't you excited about the dinner?" She cried regaining herself and bounding up to him.
"No, not really Meryl", he said looking somewhat preoccupied.
She cocked her head to the side and sat down on the floor at his feet. He shifted his gaze down on her and frowned.
"Meryl, you're eighteen, start acting like a lady."
Meryl looked rather annoyed "Why should I bother?"
"Because Meryl!" Van shouted exasperated "You're a member of the royal court, not a tom-boy little kitten anymore!"
She looked at him angrily. "It didn't matter to you until you brought back that skinny little girl from the mystic moon!"
"That's enough Meryl!" Van boomed slamming his fist down upon the table, making her jump. "Start acting your age, you can begin by agreeing to marry Hector !"
Already hurt that he has raised his voice to her, Meryl made an over-exaggerated disgusted face.
"Meryl you really are juvenile! Do you realise how rude you're being?! Hector is more than willing to take you in as his wife and love, protect and provide for you, and all you can do is make a face at it! Well you're still just a kitten then!"
The broken cat-woman stood up, her bottom lip stiffened defensively, but her eyes quivered with tears.
"Alright your MAJESTY! I'll marry Hector and get out from under your feet before I cause any more trouble for you SIR!" And with that she bounded out of the room, straight past her husband to be, who had been eavesdropping just outside the door.
Van slumped into his chair and rubbed his forehead with a gloved-hand. That was all he had needed; Meryl and her childish behaviour.
Part One
"Meryl! If you are going to be present for the welcoming banquet of Lady Helen, you must be properly attired!" An elderly woman scolded, looking exhausted and exasperated.
Meryl folded her arms and pouted. A pile of shredded material lay at her feet.
Warm morning sunshinepoured in through the large window of a grand room within Fanelia's Palace. It had been five years since the girl from the Mystic Moon had visited. Meryl missed her now and then. But how could you so easily forget someone who saved you entire world and made your only friend and companion so happy?
"Merly! Are you listening to me?!" The old woman barked making Meryl's fur stand on end.
"Oh! I can't see what;s so wrong about what I'm wearing right now!" She yelled back striving to keep her temper in check.
The old woman simply gawked at the blue smock she wore. Meryl grumbled and stormed out of the room, bumping into Van as he passed.
"Oww! Why don't you look where you're..." Meryl cried before looking up from the floor to see with whom she had collided. "Lord Van!" She cried with glee as she wrapped her now more shapely form around his taller and broader frame.
"Meryl, you'd better take more care where you're walking" He laughed as he pryed himself from her iron grip. "Now, what's wrong?"
The young cat woman's smile dropped and she began to sulk "The old bag wants me to wear some frilly circus tent just because Helen of Bancore is coming"
"Well that's not a very nice thing to say" He reminded her gently, ruflling her long peachy hair "And anyway, I think you'd look very elegant in a dress"
Meryl's face lit up. "You really think so Lord Van?" Her tail becoming erect and waving in the air as her eyes twinkled with adoration.
Van nodded softly.
"Then I'll do it!" She announced bounding around him.
"Meryl! you're supposed to be lady!" Van falsely scolded, mimicking the old lady withing earshot.
Then another voice chimed in "And a very lovely lady she is." A small cat man stood further along the corridor. He stood with a rather timid stance. His small dark eyes stared out with a shocking admiration, which would make even Allen Shazar blush.
Meryl edged towards Van, feeling vulnerable at his penetrating stares.
"Oh Meryl, this is my new assistant, Hector"
Meryl nodded politely, as Van seemed to be comfortable and happy in the man's company.
"Now, we've got matters which need attending...try not to harrass the staff too much Meryl" Van teased tussling her hair again.
She watched the two figures leave. She loved Van so. He had always been her other half and her heart had flowed when he and Hitomi had admitted their feelings to one another. Well part of her heart at least. The other part - the part of her that yearned for him to love her in the serious way - had fluttered with despair. But upon watching him mope and look like a tormented soul had made her want him to be happy with Hitomi. The side that had wanted to be with him had withered from all hope and only clung loosely to every hug, lick and smile they shared. At least now, Van was not in mortal danger everyday, nor did he have to worry about anything but the everday comings and goings of Fanelia,
Meryl sat down and began to preen herself when a shrill voice skwawked from the room making her fur stand on end.
* * *
"Look, I don't care what you think, I love Hitomi and I could never marry someone else!" Van pounded his fist on the long ornate wooden table.
"But Lord Van, it's Fanelia's future we're thinking about, when the time comes you'll have to have an heir." An Old Man stuttered gasping to shout.
"When the time comes! That's when I'll think about it, now stop throwing princesses at me! Please!" He said as he sat back in his chair heavily, conceeding to their wishes for the moment. The eventuality scared him.
"Lord Van the matter at hand still remains; will you or will you not dine with Helen of Bancore this evening?!"
Van clasped his hands and leant his elbows on the polished surface of the table, staring at the run of the wooden grain. "Alright, I'll dine with her" He said quietly, doing anything for a bit of piece from their constant hounding.
The council sighed and began to tidy away their papers and documents.
It had been five years since Van had last held Hitomi in his arms. He saw her almost everyday, as he thought about her, but it wasn't enough anymore, he'd seen her mature into a woman in front of him. It killed him that they'd both have to be lonely, even though now they could be married. He needed her there, not just spiritually, but physically. He needed her strength once again. He hoped that she would one day long to come back as much as he longed for her to come to Fanelia. He hoped that she'd want to be his bride and mother of his heirs. The heirs that everyone in Fanelia was so desperate to see.
Van stood up and walked towards the window. The view was amazing; it looked out upon the lively valley which was Fanelia. Milerna had been right, despite her ignorant tongue, Fanelia did look like giant Emerald; green and dazzling in the sun. Van couldn't help but wonder to himself, what the fate of this jewel would be without Hitomi
Just then a small voice interupted his thoughts. "Uh...excuse me your majesty, may I have a word with you?"
Van turned to see Hector lurking in the shadows of the doorway. His slightly haunched figure reminded Van of a burnt out match stick
"Yes of course Hector but not now I have much on my mind" He said turning to resume his brooding.
"Sir I would not ask if it were not of the utmost importance" He pleaded edging further into the room but still keeping to the shadows, his small dark eyes eagerly awaiting.
"Very well then, what is it?" Van huffed trying not to show his impatience.
"It's Lady Meryl Sire..."
"What's wrong? is she hurt?!" The young man leapt from his chair ready to run to her room.
"No sir...It's a personal matter of my own"
"Oh?" The young Prince enquired cautiously sitting back down in his regal, highbacked chair.
"Yes your highness, you see I am not married and Lady Meryl would make a wonderful wife for any man. I wonder if you might give your consent and ask her for me...sir?" He leant forward wringing his hands in a distracting manner.
Van was a little shocked to say the least. Meryl? Get married? He'd never even thought about it. He couldn't imagine Meryl dressing in a white gown with her bouqet. Nor could he imagine the little hunch-backed cat man recieving her at the alter either. But Hector was a good man and would take good care of his dear little Meryl.
After a long pause, Van gave his answer.
"Alright Hector I shall ask her for you"
Hector sighed and laughed a gasping, nervous chuckle as he continued to wring his hands. Smiling and showing his creamy-white teeth, he made his way bowing and muttering thanks to the door.
The young Fanelian prince turned to the window once again. Was he doing the right thing dining with Helen tonight? What if she were stunningly beautiful? What if he felt himself falling for her? He couldn't betray the bond he shared with Hitomi. Was he doing the right thing giving Meryl's hand in marriage to Hector? What if Meryl refused? He couldn't force her.
Van sighed "This is the life of a King", he said quietly to himself.
The sun was setting in the west and the moon and it's mystic partner hung high in the sky, keeping their ever silent vigil. A discontented young monarch paced about his quarters. Hector finished arranging his robes.
"Would you please get me a drink Hector?" Van asked through his nervous exterior
"Certainly my lege" Hector dipped his head and exited the room bowing his head as he passed Meryl who was making her way across the room. The young cat-girl gave him a quizzical look, but carried on walking.
"Lord Van, Lord Van! Aren't you excited about the dinner?" She cried regaining herself and bounding up to him.
"No, not really Meryl", he said looking somewhat preoccupied.
She cocked her head to the side and sat down on the floor at his feet. He shifted his gaze down on her and frowned.
"Meryl, you're eighteen, start acting like a lady."
Meryl looked rather annoyed "Why should I bother?"
"Because Meryl!" Van shouted exasperated "You're a member of the royal court, not a tom-boy little kitten anymore!"
She looked at him angrily. "It didn't matter to you until you brought back that skinny little girl from the mystic moon!"
"That's enough Meryl!" Van boomed slamming his fist down upon the table, making her jump. "Start acting your age, you can begin by agreeing to marry Hector !"
Already hurt that he has raised his voice to her, Meryl made an over-exaggerated disgusted face.
"Meryl you really are juvenile! Do you realise how rude you're being?! Hector is more than willing to take you in as his wife and love, protect and provide for you, and all you can do is make a face at it! Well you're still just a kitten then!"
The broken cat-woman stood up, her bottom lip stiffened defensively, but her eyes quivered with tears.
"Alright your MAJESTY! I'll marry Hector and get out from under your feet before I cause any more trouble for you SIR!" And with that she bounded out of the room, straight past her husband to be, who had been eavesdropping just outside the door.
Van slumped into his chair and rubbed his forehead with a gloved-hand. That was all he had needed; Meryl and her childish behaviour.