It's time Chapter 29, an escaflowne fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own them I just have a lot of fun writing them!

Chapter 29

Hitomi stared out into the crowded streets. If she didn't know better she would say that they were setting up for a festival. They had tried to keep the wedding a secret but as on the Mystic Moon celebrities and royalty never were able to keep their secrets very long. There would always be someone there to find them and dig them up. The people had immediately begun to put together plans for a wedding and from what she could tell it was going to be the wedding of the century.

Millerna had made her way into Fanelia earlier that day with Dryden and Allen. Of course, Allen's crew was to be included in the king's bachelor party. That was protested a great deal by Van but they had insisted. According to them both of the soon to be married couple should have a bacholorette/bachelor party. Millerna was bringing Celena with her and a few of the friends that they had made on their journey when she was previously here.

Merle was keeping a very close eye on them. She wasn't going to allow them in the same room very long by themselves until they were married. She was acting as their personal chaperone everywhere they went so they couldn't get a moments peace. Van had taken care of that thought. Even cats had to sleep. He would wait until Merle was curled up quietly in some corner by Hitomi's room and appear on her balcony.

They would fly somewhere away from the palace but always be back in the morning no one the wiser that they had escaped and returned. Merle seemed to do a lot of complaining on how Hitomi was so tired sometimes however, she hadn't figured out that they were sneaking out like a couple of teenagers. They really weren't left a lot of choices. Who knew getting married would be this much trouble.

The council had given their consent after they had tested her out in the Arena. She was told that she had to fight a dragon. She had ended up leading it away from the arena area because she was afraid that the dragon would hurt her. What she hadn't realized was that she led the dragon straight to the forest where it had a next of unprotected eggs. She had found the eggs and managed to send it away before any real harm was done.

Hitomi looked at the dragon with respect before bowing to it. "Gomen, I didn't know that they had taken you away from your family. I will leave you alone."

'Wait.' An unseen voice seemed to echo in her mind. Hitomi turned around trying to find the source of the voice.

'My queen, you have earned the respect of the dragons for what you have done today. I wish you well in your endeavor to rule our humble little country.' Hitomi then looked at the dragon that seemed to understand what was being said.

"Thank you," she whispered looking at awe at the dragon. The dragon had spoken to her. She couldn't believe it.

'You will need this to prove that you have passed your test. Take care my queen.'

Ever since then she had kept in contact with the dragons when she went on her walks through the forests. She had never really told anyone other than Van what had happened during that test but the council had been satisfied and had bowed dubbing her officially Lady Hitomi.

That had been weeks ago and it was all she could do to keep them from putting together a big ball. She had told them that since she was going to be marrying Lord Van they should wait until it was time for the wedding. The cost would less for the country and the royal family. She personally had wanted to see the country get some more public services set up. They still lacked libraries for the most part, schools were few and far between and the ones that did exist charged a high price to educate the children. She wanted to see Fanelia excel but she didn't want to see them as far advanced as the Mystic moon had become. That would take away the beauty and the innocence of the planet. Many people didn't have any money especially after the war was over and they had returned home. The current census though showed that Fanelia didn't have all of its people back yet. She wondered if this wedding was going bring them all back.

"You think too hard." A voice said above her. "Reor," Merle jumped from the roof to her room.

"Hey Merle," Hitomi greeted, Merle had grown into a beautiful cat woman. Her pink hair was slightly longer and tied behind her back. Her eyes were a deeper shade of green and her once tan fur was now a light sandy color. She liked to annoy the advisors so she had decided to wear pants that showed off all of her curves. It was always a laugh to see the advisors faces when she walked into the room. All they could do was scowl. They didn't want somebody who was so discordant to what they wanted to rule their country if something were to happen to their king.

"Millerna says that it's just about time for the bridal shower."

"You had to take to the roof to tell me that."

The cat shrugged her shoulder. "It's faster that way than to try to make your way through the crowded halls. Don't like crowds."

Hitomi smiled. Merle had good reason to not like crowds. She was really impulsive and didn't like to think before she did or said something. She was respectful and polite in such company but she would always try to get away from everyone as soon as possible. "No I suppose not." Hitomi turned away pulled out the dress she had chosen to wear and then tossed it aside. The chances were that Millerna was going to wear something that she considered much more comfortable and this wasn't exactly a protocol requirement. She pulled out the pants that had been made for her. Hitomi smiled. "Ready to make a sensation?" She asked the cat as she finished dressing and Merle laced up the back of her shirt.

The bridal shower went without a hitch that night and Hitomi had gone to her room exhausted with a bunch of gifts. Some of them it seemed were designed specifically for the wedding night and Millerna told her that she would be helping Hitomi get ready. Hitomi was going to assume that she was supposed to wear them underneath the wedding dress. Hitomi shook her head at their friends not really knowing what to think or to do. The wedding was in two days. Tomorrow would be her last day as an unmarried woman but her mother wasn't even here to see the wedding. She looked at the Mystic Moon longingly thinking of her mother giving her the facts of life talk, yet again. She thought that she would welcome the talk and the time with her mother. Her mother had told her that she wasn't to remain of earth for very long. She had told her this after she had returned from her last trip from the mystic Moon.

Van had come to her sometime in the night. He had to know that she had drank almost too much of that fine wine that they served. She woke to find him with his arms around her while she was snuggled as close as they could get. That was until Merle did one of her nightly checks and had almost started to use both of them as a scratching post. Hitomi had seen and shook her head to keep quiet. Van she could tell had been really tired to just lie beside. Merle's green eyes glared holes in her back. Hitomi knew that she would be right by the door making sure that they didn't do anything. Tomorrow would be another thing. Merle would probably stay on guard at the window.

The wedding was huge. The church was packed and they had yet to greet all of the people there. The signing book was huge and from what she could tell had been filled up at least halfway. She hadn't seen Van all day this day or most of the day before. As soon as he had waken up Merle had sent him out of the room.

The walk down the aisle would be a long procession. Hitomi was met by Van who was in the royal ceremonial robes of the king. He may not have had a dragon's head on top of him but his sash conveyed that of a dragon and his clan that he belonged to. Instead of his usual red shirt it was a stark black that had been the softest that Hitomi had touched in her life. His pants were the same color but the material was different. She had never seen him wear all black before and he took her breath away. She would have to see what she could to get him to wear something like this more often.

"You look beautiful," he whispered to her." Hitomi blushed slightly remembering the fight that she had with Millerna about the style of the dress that she was going to wear. Millerna has wanted her to wear the Austurain style but she hadn't been able to even stand in all that finery and of course Millerna wouldn't accept the Mystic Moon style. They had eventually putting together a design that combined the two and didn't require all of the cumbersome skirts and slips that Millerna seemed to wear.

The music started telling them that it was time for them walk down the aisle. "Thank you. You look incredible." She looked at him briefly before turning to the now standing people.

The wedding had been completed, the ball was finished, and they were exhausted by the time they got to their room but they didn't let that stop them that night.

-Van/Vanel-

Van and Vanel were pacing the room quietly arguing with each other. You promised that she would be safe." Vanel accused facing his father and walking the other direction.

"She was until they came and kidnapped her. We were fighting a fire and trying to make sure that everyone was safe. Your Okaasan was trying to make sure that everyone else was safe as can be. It's who she is." Van stopped and glared at his son that was passing him in the pace that was continually going.

"She's my Okaasan." Vanel passed him. Worry had been etched over his entire face since they had returned.

"She's love of my life and my wife. How would you feel if that had been Lady Loanna?" Van asked his son as they simultaneously passed each other. That had done it.

"Don't you dare bring her into this! She has nothing to do with mother in that bed."

"No but you love her. Something happened to you two out there. Something strong and lasting and the way you look at her like it would kill you look elsewhere when Lady Loanna is in the same room. You know the king and queen of Cesario will want to take her when they come here."

"She won't allow them to. She's strong. The voices may not be that active in her head but she was strong without them. She remembers very little of her past. Why should she have to go and try to figure it out when I want to give her that?" Vanel's face was in pain at the thought of possibly losing Loanna.

Van smiled at his son and knew that his son was a goner. "We shall see what happens next won't we." The two started pacing the floor again in silence.

Neither man noticed Loanna walk in. Loanna's frustrated sigh didn't even stop them. "Will you two stop pacing? You've worn a steady trail in a MARBLE floor." She stressed the word marble. The stopped and looked at the floor. It was definitely the truth. Where they had been walking the floor was as dull as the midnight sky.

"The servants will have their work cut out for them." Van muttered.

Loanna stepped past the awe inspiring king and Vanel. She had been working on bringing lady Hitomi back slowly. They weren't going to be able to bring her back all at once. There was most assuredly too much exhaustion from everything that they had been through. Her soul had been taken from her; she had received wings, and had to destroy Atlantis. That was a lot for one woman. Millerna walked in because she knew that Hitomi would wake up with this round of treatment. "You two out." She ordered the husband and son. They didn't look like they really wanted to leave the room. They wanted to stay in their and make sure that she would wake up as Millerna had promised.

"Milords, you are wanted in the council room." A messenger showed up.

"That can wait." They both said at the same time.

"Milord," the messenger looked at Vanel, "it's about your test."

"I passed my test. I showed them my drag energist. Analous has shown them the drag energist that he earned." Vanel was about to say something else.

Celena walked up and bowed to them. "I'm going in."

"Why does the entire female population get to go in at her waking and yet we can't?" Vanel asked his father.

"Give them a minute they will allow is in because if they don't I'll be pounding down the door."

"Can I help?" Vanel grinned at his father.

-Hitomi-

Hitomi had started to wake from her dream to here in the distance quiet arguing between two people. They sounded familiar. She knew the voices but she couldn't quite place them.

"She's love of my life and my wife? How would you feel if that had been Loanna?" Van asked his son as they simultaneously passed each other. That had done it.

"Don't you dare bring her into this! She has nothing to do with mother in that bed."

"No but you love her. Something happened to you two out there. Something strong and lasting and the way you look at her like it would kill you look elsewhere when she is in the same room. You know the king and queen of Cesario will want to take her when they come here."

Van smiled at his son and knew that his son was a goner. "We shall see what happens next won't we." The two started pacing the floor again in silence.

Neither man noticed Loanna walk in. Loanna's frustrated sigh didn't even stop them. "Will you two stop pacing? You've worn a steady trail in a MARBLE floor." She stressed the word marble. They stopped and looked at the floor. It was definitely the truth. Where they had been walking the floor was as dull as the midnight sky.

Millerna took her vitals as Loanna expelled some energy into Hitomi. She knew that this was the last of the healing power that the queen would need. Her wings would give her some trouble but she would get the hang of flying soon enough.

"Lady Hitomi I know you're awake." Loanna put her hands down where the queen's heart was.

Hitomi slowly opened her eyes to the sunlit room. "How long have I been out?"

Millerna looked at her old friend. "You've been out for about three days. You passed out while you were in midair after you guys had been sent out of the castle. When did you get wings?" Millerna informed and wondered out loud.

-Flashback-

The halls were dark but you could see a glow of white all around. "Didn't they believe in any other color than white? "You have come." A voice said behind her as a hand was placed on her mouth.

"Do what you must young lord but remember that you don't have much time." They were left alone.

Van stood there watching, looking, and not wanting to believe that this was his wife kneeling before him. "Hitomi," he went to touch her cheek to make sure that she was real this time. "Hitomi, please tell me that this is really you this time."

Her green eyes said it all. Her hands touched him fearfully that he wasn't real. Her memories that had been eluding her all returned all at once. What was this… this…? There were tears coming out of her eyes. "I love you." It was all that she said before she almost collapsed in his arms.

Hitomi!" He called out pulling her into his arms even farther. They didn't move from that position. "You asked me to give you this." Van pulled her face closer to him looking over her carefully. "I love you." It was all that Van said before he pulled her into a hot passionate kiss that went on and on.

Hitomi couldn't remember a time that he had kissed her like this. Like it was all that he thought about was saving her. It had her ready to pull him into a deeper kiss that left little question of wanting. Neither of them noticed the door opening behind them.

The Guardian stood in the background watching in awe. Van's wings had come out in all their grace and beauty enfolded around the king and queen. Hitomi had her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer to her not letting him go. Their auras were matching, combining, powers mixing, and changing colors. The power that was emitting in the room was absolutely pure and around the couple you could see the people of their past smiling. Lord Folken de Lacour stood with his wings open as if he wanted to shield these two from what would come. Two women stood completing the circle around them their hands almost touching but power emitted from them. There were words that came out of all three spirits simultaneously. "They will stay together for the rest of their lives."

Hitomi screamed as she felt something shoot from back ripping the material. Van held on to her tighter as he felt the wings brushing against his arms. His hand caressed her back soothing her and trying to scratch where he knew that the new wings were going to itch. "It's okay love. Relax; sleep for we don't have long."

-End flashback-

Loanna looked at her in awe. "That's absolutely amazing."

Hitomi looked at the young woman. "You yourself are an amazing woman. You harbored some of the most influential people in Fanelia and didn't even know it. I would have gone crazy if I had all of those voices in my head. I wish you and my son all the luck in the world."

"You mean that you're not going to be trying to leave."

Hitomi shook her head. "I have nothing left there. My home has always been right here with my husband."

Loanna smiled quietly and looked away. "If he chooses to return?" She asked the unfinished thought.

"That will be his choice." Hitomi told the woman.

"Open up this door. You have no right to keep me from my wife any longer." Van's voice could be heard over the loud pounding.

Hitomi smiled at the door that looked as if it would splinter at the pounding. Millerna remembering very well the last t time Hitomi and she had talked for a long period of time after her check up. She didn't need that look again. Once the door was opened Van walked straight in followed by his son and Millerna was struck again at how much they really looked like one another.

Hitomi found herself swept up into an uncontrollable hug. "I missed you love." He kissed his wife before he felt his son's glare on his back.

Vanel took his mother in another hug and didn't want to let her go. "Okaasan I thought I was going to lose you."

"I don't die that easily Vannie." She whispered his childish nickname in his ear. "I love you too."

Analous was about to walk in when Millerna stepped in the way. "There are too many people in here. You will have to wait."

Analous looked past Millerna seeing Hitomi locked in a tight embrace by Vanel. "Is she supposed to be up like that?"

"She'll be alright. He's not holding her as tight as it looks." Millerna reassured the young man.

Najeh appeared just then. Millerna gave a sigh of relief. She had hardly left her daughter's side since they had returned. Her hand touched Najeh's face. "I know Mama."

Millerna turned around and found that Hitomi had been almost snatched from her son's arms into Merle's. Merle was licking Hitomi all over to make sure that she was alright. Hitomi was giggling. "I'm glad that everyone missed me but can you please let me go." She was struggling to get away from Merle.

"That's enough. You're going to make her tired."

When you looked around the room you could see all of the couples were joining with their respective choices. Van with Hitomi, Millerna and Dryden, Analous and Najeh, Loanna and Vanel were all joined in a happy circle. Celena was in the center of the circle feeling at peace for the first time in nearly twenty five years.

"Van when's the wedding."

"The council set it up for two weeks from today."

"I dreamed of our first wedding while I was out. I hope Merle doesn't use us as a scratching post."

"I don't think that she will be the problem this time around. Vanel said just as Merle's little fur balls barreled into the room and tackled the king and queen of Fanelia.

I can't believe that I have finished this story after 2 ½ years. It breaks my heart but at the same time I'm relieved. I hope that all my old readers catch the last of this story as well as anyone else that catches the interest of this story. I tried to do the ending justice to the story but I'm not sure that anything can do that.