Beyond the Moon

Epilogue

"When I fell from the cliff, I lost consciousness. When I woke, I found myself lying in the back of a hay wagon. The farmer had found me beached, and I was a long way down the river from Hudogar. I had drifted out of the Asturian border - which direction that was I still do not know - and was badly injured. My wings would not retract, for both were broken. My leg was severely injured, and my back was in a bad state as well.

The farmer and his wife cared for me for at least three weeks. My wings healed almost instantly, but I was unable to get out of bed due to my back and leg.

I was not sure how long it had been, but the farmer told me that there were reports of a woman looking for an injured, winged man. They assumed it was me she was looking for, and so I asked them to get details. I soon discovered the woman to be Celena Schezar, and so I sent for her.

She told me everything that had happened, including your engagement to Allen and Dilandau's imprisonment. Although the man had almost been responsible for my death, I seemed unable to bear him the deadly animosity I had before; she pleaded for me to come back.

By then, my leg and back were healed enough for me to depart. The day that she spoke to me turned out to be the day you were to be wed; it was at least a three day journey, and I decided to fly instead."

"I'm so sorry, Van. I couldn't go home, I thought you were dead, and... I lost hope, Van."

"Hitomi, don't be sorry. You're here with me now; that's all that matters."

Allen dropped any and all claims on me, releasing the engagement and wishing me a happy life.

He was, is, and always will be one of my best friends. Since king Aston was dead and one of the three princesses was already on the throne, Eries was free to do whatever she pleased.

Ironically, she and Allen turned out to be twin souls. They fell in love and married. I believe they just had two children: a little boy and a little girl, who were the same age and looked identical, much like their parents.

Fanelia was in a state of turmoil when we returned. The regent had failed in finding a new prince for the throne, and most of the country didn't even believe the news when they heard the king had returned, much less with a queen.

I was received with open arms. They - meaning the court - believed me to have been the reason for their king's return, and thus welcomed me as their queen. Though the country was willing to accept it, I wasn't so sure about Van. He was busy with paperwork, negotiations, and fixing the collapsing state that I spent most of my time in my room doing absolutely nothing. He would see me in the morning and at night, and occasionally dined with me; but other than that and a few kisses, we had very little contact.

After about two weeks of this, I began to question my decision. It was that same night that Van came into my room while I lay on my bed, staring out my window at the Mystic Moon and its child.

I didn't notice Van until he was behind me, arms wrapped around my waist. I was alarmed at first, but I soon relaxed into him.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to see you," Van apologized, kissing my neck and smelling my hair. I shook my head and opened my mouth to speak, but he silenced me by a light peck on my lips. "Hitomi, I want you to marry me. Will you?"

"Of course, Van."

He came to see me every day after that. The wedding was prepared; I donned a traditional Fanelian gown, and Van wore the kingly outfit I had seen him in when he was first crowned all those years ago. It fit him well, showing off his defined muscles and now much larger, towering build.

The wedding was a mass festival. Everyone in Fanelia attended; it reminded me of Dryden and Millerna's wedding, but we were instead escorted down the main streets on the back of what appeared to be a dragon. I wasn't sure, for I spent the entire ride in the litter with Van. He was trying to calm my frayed nerves while waving to his people.

I don't remember any of what the man who wed us said. He read some Fanelian scripture, but my mind focused only on the man in front of me. His chocolate eyes regarded me so softly, I wanted to cry. I feared that if the "I do's" didn't come soon, I would do just that.

"I love you, Hitomi," he said quietly, holding my hand. I smiled back at him.

"Van, I love you, I always will."

It was the kiss to end and begin all kisses.

We took our honeymoon away from Fanelia, leaving the country in the temporary control of the regent. We traveled alone and took a room at an inn somewhere in Cezario, dressed as much like regular passer-bys as we could.

I sighed, closing my eyes as I leaned against Van's still sweaty, bare chest. He ran one hand through my hair absently, pulling the blankets up over us.

"Do you miss home?" he asked suddenly. I raised my eyes, regarding him silently.

"Yes, every once in a while. I would like to visit sometime... They miss me too, but I have this feeling that they know I am alright and happy," I replied, leaning back against the pillow and fluffing it around my head.

"I can arrange that, I'm sure," he said, kissing my cheek. "I spoke to Duke Chid. He's returned to Freid."

I glanced up. "Oh? What about Hudogar?" I asked.

"Apparently, when he returned to the castle, the corruption the power caused seemed to have vanished. You remember that doppelganger Denongo? He was a lord; I don't know the details, but he was released and is now the Emperor of Hudogar. He's working towards uniting the different kingdoms," Van replied. I nodded slowly.

"Even after all he did, I still feel sorry for Dilandau," I admitted. Van gathered me up in his arms, his black hair falling in front of his face as he leaned over me. I couldn't resist a giggle as he pecked my nose.

"I have a feeling that he - and Celena - will be fine," he said, an evil glint appearing in his eye. I laughed as he whipped the blankets over us, and everything disappeared except Van.

***

Two fair, white haired figures stood on the hill, seemingly untouched by the wind. Early dropped petals fluttered around them, traveling in the direction of the emerald waves of grass.

Dilandau looked down at the woman beside him, whose trimmed, wavy hair settled around her long, smooth neck. She seemed almost bashful today, unwilling to hold his gaze for any span of time. A day or more after Dilandau had been released - upon Van's return and the fact he had not actually committed murder - Celena had been acting strangely.

"Celena," he said, surprising her slightly. "Tell me what it is." She raised her eyes, looking at him quizzically. Dilandau watched her intently, his once harsh red eyes now soft and passive.

Celena lowered her gaze, absently digging one toe in the ground. Dilandau touched her shoulder, drawing her eyes back to his. "I'm withchild," she admitted. She looked up uneasily, the regret lightly etched in her features.

Dilandau didn't even flinch, and merely regarded her with a passive expression. "Does anyone else know?" Celena blinked, then shook her head. Dilandau looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Aren't you mad?" Celena asked. He raised his eyes to her.

"You'll marry me, won't you?" She blinked in surprise at the sudden counter. Celena nodded slowly. Without warning, Dilandau gathered her up in his arms, burying his face in her hair.

"People can count.. they'll know it's out of wedlock..." she said quietly, not objecting to the touch at all.

Dilandau smiled, kissing her lightly. "Let them talk," he said. "Let them talk."

***

Wow.

I actually finished! I never thought I would see the day. I started this story on a whim; it became an obsession by the end. The last few chapters came out so fast because.. well, I just had to write. I became addicted to it, and now that it's over, I feel strangely detached.

Oh well. Ta da! There you go! I'm off to compile this, and then I'm visiting Kinko's for a printjob! (I always catalog my work in paper.) It's taken me.. at least three months to finish this; it was definitely worth it. Hope you all enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing.

I want to give super thanks to Raye-Rei for all her reviews, everywhere. ^_~

Angelwarriar, or Kia.. Thanks a bunch for your continuing comments!

Waku-chan, who reviewed whenever she had the chance; thanks for your time! ^_^

MangaPuppy, for generally being odd and keeping my spirits up.

Henry Percy, Ai-chan, and crazy_mary..

Sakura, for lots of '!''s.

Animecrazy, I'm happy I could get you into fanfic.

The Reader is Now Blind, who made me chuckle everytime I saw your name.

FayeValentine00 for her interest.

MysFaer-chan and selene.

Divine Discontent for your encouraging thoughts.

Ruby, sammy, and JadesRose.

Starzie Chick, who wrote a fanfiction that is great and was very influential to me.

TennyoAngel711 for your.. interesting inner monologue. ^_~

Kartos, who enjoyed hitting me.

Michiru, Vany boy, Shi no Miko, Escaflowne no Miko, Ankle, Gemini.

GAMEACE, for leaving an entire page of clone reviews. o_O

holynarf, Carrie Andrews, madpostman, Emerald, JeannieTania, umbarthule, Kai-rah, Pyro'sgirl, SabineballZ, thundersenshi17, Streetwyse, stayblue, and Alex 360.

Myst_Lady, Cinderella, lazzykane, Youjibaracuda, Kami, sum1wholikesanime (?), Eternity-san (special thanks! "Keep weaving, spinnner.." Best phrase used when referring to writing. Thank you!), inuyashas_girl, and shimegami no tenshi.

Special thanks to Organic for even reading. *sticks tongue out*

And of course..

Special, special thanks to my best friend, Vegeta's Gyal. A lot of this wouldn't have happened without her wonderful influence. Thanks for everything, Keruri! *huggles all around*

Well, that's all, folks!