The sun rose gently over the grey cliffs. Hitomi was sitting on her windowsill, hugging her knees. She looked out the open window, and saw the reddish streaks of light embrace the darkness. She thought back to a year ago when she passed that test. It had taught her that there's more to getting married to a king. Ever since then, she had requested to get the education necessary for a queen. Van had been a good and patient teacher. Already, Hitomi's ideas were being implemented into their systems. She sighed, hoping that in time, she will make a difference. However, today was not about any official business. Hitomi looked at the sky, the red reminding her of when she was lying in the dust, blood pouring from her cut. After she came out of The Dreaming, Van had explained what that was all about. Wazir decided to test her, to see if she would be a good and loyal queen to Fanelia. Raising the stakes, he almost killed her. If it had not been for Van, Hitomi would be dead by now. She was grateful for that experience however. It taught her values and emotions she didn't know she had. That's when she decided that she must learn in order to be able to serve her people well. So, Hitomi had learned. As she sat there watching the stars disappear, Hitomi couldn't believe it had been one year since she had come to Gaea. Time seemed to fly by so fast when she was busy and was with people she loved. Speaking of love, today was her wedding day. Hitomi gulped. She had never done something similar before. What if she made a mistake? Oh, this had got to be the worst day of her life. It barely began, and Hitomi was scared. She had one year to practice court manners and everything, but Hitomi was still nervous. She wasn't made for this! Hitomi frowned. Well, brave women only die once. She sighed and got up from her seat. She still had time to eat a quiet breakfast, and get prepared. Everything was planned in such detail, that Hitomi felt her head would burst. "Well, I'll just put it out of my mind for as long as possible." Hitomi whispered.

"Hitomi there you are!" Merle exclaimed as soon as she saw her.

"Hey Merle, what are you doing up?" Hitomi asked.

"Well, I was going to wake you up, but now there's no need. Come on!" Merle said and grabbed Hitomi.

"Wait! Where are we going?" Hitomi asked.

"We have to get you ready!" Merle told her.

"Merle! Do you realise that it's six in the morning?" Hitomi asked.

"What? That late? We must really hurry!" Merle exclaimed and pushed Hitomi into the bathroom.

"Merle! The wedding isn't until 10 in the morning! That gives us more than enough time!" Hitomi observed.

"No, it has to be finished by 10 o'clock. The ceremony is 2 hours long, and that means we only have 2 hours to get ready!" Merle told her.

"What? Are you insane?" Hitomi shrieked.

"No, now go take that bath! I'll be right back with the bath oils!" Merle told Hitomi as she pushed her into the vapory bathroom.

Hitomi gulped, and jumped into the warm tub. She sunk in the clear water, and closed her eyes. This wasn't what she expected. How could she have misunderstood Van? Oh, this was turning out for the worst. Hitomi could feel the anxiety build up in her stomach.

Two hours later, Hitomi was in her room, dressed and ready to go. Merle applied the finishing touches to her make up, and then stood back, letting the bride see herself in the mirror.

Hitomi was amazed at what she saw. All of a sudden, she turned from that scrawny little 18-year-old girl to some sophisticated princess. She looked in the mirror again, almost not recognising herself. She stood tall, and proud, the white dress hanging about her demurely. It was exactly as Hitomi wanted it. It inspired a strong sense of dignity, as well as modesty. She couldn't see herself pampered like some other queens. Especially not like Princess June. (A half a year before, Princess June was betrothed to a prince of a small country -like Roma- and looked like what Hitomi thought a stuffed chicken) Hitomi took one quick glance in the mirror to check that everything was according to customs and then turned around.

"Merle, I'm so scared!" Hitomi told her companion.

"Why? You've got nothing to worry about!" Merle told her nonchalantly.

"Yes I do! What if I mess up?" Hitomi panicked.

"You won't! Don't be so afraid! Hitomi, you'll do fine!" Merle told her reassuringly.

"I'm scared! There's butterflies in my stomach! Merle! What if... I don't want to embarrass Van, or me out there!" Hitomi told her pleadingly.

"Come on, it's way past time for you to be out there!" Merle said giving her friend a reassuring smile.

Hitomi smiled weakly, and proceeded out of her chamber. Her head was spinning in circles. She couldn't believe she was actually getting married.

"There! It's all fixed now!" Dryden said as he walked away from the groom letting him look in the mirror.

Van looked in the mirror with a frown. His ceremonial clothes hanged about him royally, yet he felt anything but royal. His stomach twisted in knots of anxiety and fear. He didn't know it would be like this. Van wished he hadn't been born a king. That way he would have a small private wedding, with not a lot of people staring at him. Oh well, there was nothing he could do. In a few hours it will all be over.

"Come on, it's time for you to be out there! We don't want to keep the people waiting!" Dryden told him and pushed him out through the back doors.

Van found himself at the top of the stairs. In one year, they had done much remodelling to the palace. His room, and Hitomi's both had a flight of stairs going down into the royal gardens. Van looked up, and there he saw Hitomi come out of her room. All of a sudden, it was like a bolt of lightning went through Van. He was left standing dumbfounded looking at her. She was so beautiful. The white dress was hugging her curves gently. Van smiled, thinking how much he wanted to be that dress. She truly looked like an angel sent by the gods, and he couldn't believe he was so lucky. Hitomi just took his breath away.

As Hitomi exited through her balcony, she stopped at the top of the stairs to look down on everyone. Many familiar faces were looking up at both of them. Hitomi heard the soft whisper of the music -her queue to descend- she proceeded on doing just that, but not before taking a look at Van. Hitomi's green eyes widened as she barely recognised the handsome young king. In his ceremonial robes, Van looked very royal and dignified. Hitomi felt like she didn't recognise him. He was so kingly in his outfit. "What did I do to deserve him?" Hitomi thought.

Not wasting any more time, Hitomi began her graceful descent down the stairs. Her step was trembling, and her head was spinning with emotion. There were so many people looking at her! She hoped she wouldn't make a mistake.

Van didn't know when, but soon after his descent he found himself beside Hitomi. Sparks flew through his body as he felt her veil brush past her. He looked down to find himself starring in the green sea of her eyes. Van thought he was going to melt at her warm and loving glance; so full of trust and passion. All Van wanted to do was to kiss her, and hold her tight until the end of time. However, they had a wedding ceremony to get through before they would slip away. Carefully, he took her soft hand in his, and proceeded to walk down the mossy garden path to where the High Priest was waiting. Van couldn't help but gaze at Hitomi. Her wedding dress revealing her bare neck and shoulders, Van blushed thinking that all he wanted to do was plant a trail of hot kisses along her neck. The sky became cloudy all of a sudden, but Van was too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice.

As soon as Hitomi's hand met Van's all her doubts, worries and fears disappeared. All she could see was his loving chocolate gaze. Hitomi thought she would explode at his touch. So gentle, and firm, it whisked away all her fears. As Hitomi was advancing down the green mossy path, she had no doubt that this was where she belonged. This was her home, this was her life. As long as she and Van would be together, everything would be all right.

Hitomi smiled as she approached the High Priest's little shaded place in the middle of the garden. The wrinkled man began on talking, yet the words were not registering in Hitomi's mind. All she could see was Van, and his gaze, for they were facing each other according to customs.

"We all know that without blood, there is no life, and we all know that the Queen and King of Fanelia must be joined in spirit as well as body. They must be one being, of two bodies. Two hearts beating in two chests, their beat tuned by the same dream. You must breathe as one, and feel as one in order to bring prosperity and continuation to the nation. Thus, since blood in the spring of life, we must join your two life lines in eternal bondage." The man said.

He then took a knife, and made a small incision on Van's hand. A few drops of red blood poured in a cup filled with water from Fanelia's mystic stream. The priest then took Hitomi's hand and made the same mark. Drops of blood fell into a second similar cup. He then took the cups in his hand, and handed each of them the other's cup.

"Drink, and be forever bonded in sprit and body." He said and then gave them the cups.

Hitomi took it, and brought it to her lips, then drank the liquid without hesitation. As soon as she did, she felt a tingling feeling inside her. Almost like she had truly bonded with something. "But this can't be, it's only a ritual. They're not true!" Hitomi thought. However, the feeling spread through her, like fire. She could feel her whole being magnetised and recharged from the drink.

Just then, the cloud covering the sky lightened, and streaks of golden light shined through, falling on her and Van.

"With this final act, I declare you King and Queen. You may now kiss the bride." The priest said.

Within that small circle of light, Van and Hitomi both took a few steps toward each other. When their lips met, it was like time stood still. Engulfed in the golden light, Hitomi felt a faint beat, getting louder and louder. She could see the whiteness surround her even more.

"What is this?" she wondered. The she realised, that the sound was Van's heart beating. "I can hear it. Why?" Hitomi asked.

"Because you are now truly one my child." A voice echoed behind her.

Van and Hitomi broke their kiss.

"Who's there!" Van asked. Apparently he shared Hitomi's experience.

"Calm down child. I have been granted this moment by fate. Time is stopped for I am here to tell you that through your love, you have truly proved your value, and that peace will reign over Gaea as long as you two are its protectors." The voice told them.

"Thank you, but, I have a question. Why do I feel so weird?" Hitomi asked.

"That, is the result of Van's draconian blood combining with yours. It will pass." The voice said.

Just then, Hitomi fell to the ground, moaning in pain.

"What's wrong with her?" Van asked concerned.

"She's experiencing the effects of the joining. It is nothing much, she will be fine." The voice told him.

Hitomi groaned, and Van's face tightened. "She's in pain, what have you done to her?" he asked madly.

"It will pass, and is that any way to talk to your mother?" the voice boomed. Out of the light, appeared a face belonging to Varie.

"Mother, help her." Van said softly.

Varie smiled. "Hitomi stand up." She said.

With a grunt of pain, Hitomi stood up.

"Now, just reach down into your soul and feel it. It should be there. Unlock it." Varie instructed.

Hitomi closed her eyes, reaching into the depths of her soul. She found that new element. That feeling of fire that spread through her body. It was hot, burning even. With great compassion and care, Hitomi embraced that flame, becoming one with it. Just then, she felt something sprout out of her back.

Van watched amazed as the two soft, ivory things grew out of Hitomi's back. They extended and extended until they became long majestic wings like his. She opened her green eyes, and turned around facing him. Van was in awe once again. She... she had wings, yet they didn't look like the curse he thought them to be. Hitomi looked like a goddess with them. So light, and majestic, so pure. They only brought out the beauty in her. Van could see fire burn in her eyes. A soft warm fire that he felt burning inside of him. She was indeed the other half of his soul.

"This is my wedding gift to you Hitomi. With these, you and my son will always be together. Now you can fly right along side him. Never will you have to leave him, never will your love have to extend like it did when you left Gaea two years ago. Good luck, and remember that as long as there's love, there's beauty and peace in life." with that, Varie disappeared into the light, returning time to it's rightful place.

Hitomi found herself in the majestic royal garden. She suddenly became aware that feathers were floating from the sky. Both she and Van had their wings out. The guests were breathless. Hitomi smiled, thinking it wasn't such a bad day after all. The sun now shined glamorously along the land, granting its golden arrows to the landscape.

"Hey Van, you think any one would mind if we just flew away?" Hitomi asked mischievously.

"Let's give it a try. I think they're still too shocked." He chuckled, and with that rose off the ground.

"How do I do this?" Hitomi asked.

"It's easy, give me your hand." Van said and offered his to Hitomi.

She took it, and they both rose above the ground. Hitomi felt the wind brush gently past her, and embraced it. Her wings were flapping, and she was flying on her own now. Van came over to her, and grabbed her waist, spinning her in the air. Hitomi shrieked, and kissed him deeply, awakening the fire inside him. They caught an updraft and rose even higher above their guest, spinning in the direction of the soft breeze.

"Come on, let's fly away." Van said after a while.

"Don't we have to go down there for the banquet?" Hitomi asked giving him a small kiss.

"I think they could party without us. Plus, we need to be going on our what was it they called in on the Phantom Moon again, yeah, honey moon." Van said smiling.

"Do you have anything planned?" Hitomi asked.

"Just you wait and see." Van grinned at her. Hitomi smirked back. "Come on, give me your hand," Van instructed her.

"Good bye Hitomi, bye Lord Van! Have fun!" Merle yelled from down-below.

The music started playing, and Merle watched them fly away, with the soft lyrics of the harp in her ears.

As the last lyrics of the song slipped off the singer's lips, Merle looked up into the sky for one final time, as she saw the two angels disappear into the morning sun, leaving behind a trail of pure ivory feathers. She sighed, and went back to the party.

"Hitomi, never leave me." Van said as they were flying in the morning sun.

"Never." She whispered happily as she flew over to him and kissed him.

Hello, it's finally over. I would like to say that the song is from Anastasia, so I don't own it ok? I just found it very appropriate. Ok, one more thing I'm sorry if this chapter stinks, I'm certain it's not one of my best. Thanks again for all of your support, and you can vote on what you want. I could continue this, although I'm not so sure I want to do that, or I could just leave it as it is and write another romance fic. I certainly have enough ideas. By the way, once again I don't own ne songs that I used in the making of this fic. So yeah. There. Thanks again for all your support, and I hope you have fun reading this!!!!!!!