Drink in the Moonlight

Disclaimer: I own nothing of "The Vision of Escaflowne. Otherwise, Folken and Eries would somehow be together.

Note: Today is my 22nd birthday.

And my strange way of celebrating is by posting the first chapters of two stories I've had planned for quite some time now. I've had a draft for this one as early as July 2009. I'm taking this opportunity to start these stories while I still have the time to write them.

This first chapter might seem a bit confusing because I'm still putting everything in place. But I hope you will still like it in spite of the strange composition. It is only the beginning, after all.

Reviews and feedback will be most appreciated. Enjoy the story.

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"I will return to you, I swear it."

Hands clasped tight until a powerful beam of light forces them apart. But they continue to reach for each other, sealing a promise that they will be together again someday.

"I will wait for you."

The woods of Fanelia were coming into view. The sight of the rich foliage and the majestic mountains was simply breathtaking. Princess Eries could not help but marvel at the natural splendor before her.

"Fanelia has recovered admirably," she thought as she gazed upon the beautiful land from the window of the levy ship, "she looks almost untouched by the ravages of war which had so destroyed her only months ago."

Eries contemplated on the peaceful scene before her contentedly. After all that Fanelia had suffered, she was finally at peace. And it was to this serene and beautiful land that Eries had come to seek refuge.

"This is to be our home now," she whispered, placing her hand gently on her slightly swollen belly, "and I'm certain that we shall be very happy here."

Asturia would not accept her now, not with this. But she almost welcomed her exile and the freedom that came with it. After all, she had long been feeling like her services were no longer needed. Her father had recuperated considerably and Millerna was finally growing into the role she had been destined to take. Very soon, Eries knew that she would no longer have any significant place in Asturia (though Millerna had vehemently opposed this claim.)

She did not want to leave her country or to break the bonds that had held her to it but she knew her future lay here, in his country, and nowhere else. They had endured so much together and she was not going to give up now. She did not know how long she would have to wait, but she would do so patiently. And in a matter of months, she would have a greater responsibility than any duty that could be assigned to her as a princess of Asturia. There was no turning back from this new life that loomed ahead of her. And she had no regrets about it.

"We'll be arriving in Fanelia soon, princess," Allen informed her, interrupting her reverie, "King Van will be waiting to welcome you."

Eries nodded, her eyes still on the view. After reflecting for a moment, she turned to Allen with a smile.

"Thank you, Allen," she told the knight earnestly, "for everything."

"It has been my privilege," he said, addressing not only a princess but also an old friend, "are you sure that there's nothing else I can do for you?"

"You've done more than enough by taking me here yourself," she said, shaking her head at him, "I assure you that I will be all right."

Allen still looked doubtful but he knew that Eries was not a woman to be gainsaid. Only a very few people were aware of her being with child since King Aston did not want the news to leak out. He did not want to bear with what he considered a disgrace. The old man's reaction had been so negative that at first, Allen had misunderstood the circumstances. And in his wish to be a good friend, the knight had offered to marry Princess Eries and take full responsibility for the child in her womb.

There was a time that she would have considered his offer but that was long past. Eries also found it ironic that the man who had disgraced her sister believed he was offering salvation to her, to cleanse her name when he had besmirched Marlene's.

She had refused him gently but resolutely.

"I thank you for your concern, Allen," she had told him, "but let me be perfectly clear: the child I bear is my husband's. And though it may seem to the world that I am bereft of him, I KNOW that I am not a widow yet."

That was all the explanation she was wiling to offer, and Allen respected her decision. He did not dare question her judgment about her situation and instead offered whatever support he could give her during her exile. He did not agree with the way the king was treating her because Allen knew well that Princess Eries was the last person who could ever bring dishonor to her family or her country. She had always conducted her affairs with great discretion which her father must have mistaken for suspicious secrecy.

But though her father did not trust her words, Eries lost none of the respect people had for her. There were more people who were fond of the gentle and responsible princess than there were of the sly and manipulative king. And many expressed a willingness to support Eries should she go against her father's judgment. But just as she responded to Allen, she refused them all gently and gratefully.

She had already anticipated the situation as soon as she learned that she was with child so she promptly chose Fanelia to be her new home (after consulting with Van, of course). She had written to the young king immediately, telling him her situation and asking for permission to transfer to his country.

Being a kind and compassionate young man, Van readily agreed to this request. Like the others, he had a great respect for Princess Eries, and he already knew about her relationship with his brother, although he was still ignorant of all the details. Up until Folken's disappearance, Van had still been cold and suspicious towards his older brother. But Folken had asked Van for a strange favor before he left.

"I know you that you may never forgive me or trust me," the prince had said, "but please don't let your anger for me extend to those who are as dear to me as you are. I don't ask this for myself. Please do whatever you can to protect Princess Eries."

Van had hesitantly agreed because he had been surprised by the request. He had not known or bothered to notice that there was something between his brother and the princess. The moment Folken was gone, the king of Fanelia realized that he had never wanted to lose his brother again and promptly forgave him for what he had done in the past. And so Van was only too happy to welcome the princess when she sought asylum in his kingdom.

Millerna had said good-bye to Eries in tears, unable to support the idea of losing yet another older sister. Eries tried to comfort her as best as she could, and Millerna extracted a promise from her that she would write to the future queen as often as she could.

"I still don't understand why you have to go," the young girl had protested, "there is no shame in your circumstances, and I really believe you have been treated most unjustly."

"Do not worry about this anymore," Eries had comforted her, "I've accepted my fate and though I am loath to leave you, I am sure that I have a better chance of happiness in Fanelia than I have here."

"But why must Father declare to Asturia that you are being banished?" Millerna cried out in frustration, "what ridiculous claim of treachery can he accuse you of? I'm sure I can convince Father to let you stay, and Dryden is completely supportive of my decision."

"My dear sister," Eries replied, "it is a complicated state of affairs, and I hardly know how I can explain it to anyone. And I don't want to cause any more trouble. You have other more urgent concerns to take care of. For now, the best course of action is really for me to leave the country."

After several more arguments, Millerna reluctantly agreed with this decision. She promised to write to her sister often and to visit whenever she was able.

"I shall miss you terribly," she cried, and Eries returned the sentiment with equal force.

Parting from her family and the only life that she had known was an unspeakably painful ordeal for Eries. But she endured it with the admirable forbearance with which she endured every trial in her life. She did not dwell on the wounds of the past but tried her best to focus on her promising future. She had much to look forward to.

Within the hour, Allen's ship had landed in Fanelia. As the knight escorted Eries out, the king himself greeted them. Van was dressed simply though his bearing left no doubt of his authority. He did not have a large entourage with him but only a few old friends and trusted servants who were ready to make the princess feel right at home. And of course, jumping beside him with excitement was his dear friend Merle.

"Welcome to Fanelia, Princess Eries," the king greeted with a smile.

Eries gave a bow and extended her hand to shake Van's but he surprised her by giving her a warm, brotherly embrace.

"No need for formalities here," he told her earnestly, "after all, you're part of the family now."

"Thank you," she replied timidly, not expecting such affectionate treatment so soon.

Van shook Allen's hand and exchanged pleasantries with his old friend. They had not seen each other for a while and they wanted to take this opportunity to catch up before Allen had to return to his post. The king invited Allen and his men to his castle for some refreshments before they took the journey home. Gaddes and the others were thrilled at the invitation.

"Come," Van said cheerfully, taking Eries' arm and escorting her inside, "let me show you around your new home."