TITLE: The Forgotten Princess 
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser0@earthlink.net
WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.net/ 
CONTENT: Slight F/F romance. Don't like it, don't read it.
SUMMARY: Eries, the middle sister of the Asturian royal family, contemplates
her role in Hitomi's story, and if possible, how she would want things to be.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my own brain.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: For some reason, maybe the impending U.S. release of the movie
on dvd, I felt in the mood to write some Escaflowne fic.
 

The Forgotten Princess

By: Dreiser


I am often forgotten in the story of things. Funny isn't it? A Princess being
forgotten. That isn't something that happens too often, I wager. However, I
can understand why this occurred. I did not play the largest part in the events
of the tale and when I did appear I hardly stole the spotlight.

No, it was always she who did that, and without trying. She often said she was
normal where she was from. Just an average girl. I find myself doubting that.
Yes, perhaps her manner of dress and speaking was normal where she resided but
never her. She wasn't something plain, average that you find on the street.
Not at all. She glittered and shined as someone special could only do.

If she didn't then he wouldn't love her so.

There was a joke being told that even reached my ears which said you could
tell Allen Schezar was a truly great man simply because he had gotten all
three Princesses of Asturia to fall in love with him without really trying.
Oddly enough, I find the joke funny on some level simply because it's
horrifically true and it cuts to the truth of the matter with all the
sharpness of Allen's blade.

We love Allen, yes, that's true. But he loves Hitomi and I cannot blame him.
When I look at her, and see that light she holds within her, that kindness and
the power it lends her, I wish it was my own. In fact, I even find myself
desiring her as he himself does.

The thought leaves me as quickly as it appears but I cannot help but wonder,
does my sister feel the same when she looks upon them? She loves Dryden and
Allen, as he is for me, is just something of a crush, I know this to be true
but still...

Does she look at them when they are together and she makes him smile so bright
and true, as if the stars themselves were shining just for them, does she long
to be a part of that? Does she long to be Allen, smiling at Hitomi, rather
than the other way round? Or am I simply pushing my own wishes and fantasies
onto another?

I will never know the truth of things, I am afraid. I am the forgotten
Princess, the middle sister, whom the fairy tale passes by. I arrive and leave
like the flight of a feather in the wind, moving the way that fate would take
me.

I am all of those things and more. Yet, I cannot help wanting for something
different. Wanting for the tale to start anew, beginning with the arrival of
the angel from the Mystic Moon simply so I could be the one who heralds her
appearance. To be the one who meets her first, guides her through this strange
land of ours, and claims her heart for mine own.

Only to have her leave me in the end.

Would it tear me in two? Would it wound me more than it already has? Or would
the sweet memories of being with her wipe that all away? Because at least I
would have that, I could keep that within my heart forever, and in such a way
she would always be with me. Certainly that is better than how I am now,
longing for things that could never be and acting far more foolish than a
person in my position should ever act.

I know my role in things. I am the responsible one, the smart sister, the one
who takes up her duty and will never abandon it. Marlene was the beauty, the
sought out treasure to be worshipped and loved by men the world round. And
Millerna is our hope, our innocence, she who would soothe and comfort others. 

My role is an understated one, leaving me with little attention or time to
deal with my own wants which seem, even to me, especially to me, small in the
long run. Asturia is the focus of my wants and cares and only she will gain my
favor from now on.

And still, I cannot help wanting for more. For the angel to return and to at
least look upon her once again and bathe in the light of her smile, even if
she never notices that I am there. Sad, isn't it? To want something that
insignificant so much? Wishing for the impossible only leads to misery.  

"Eries-hime?"

"Seda," I close the book that I haven't been reading, merely staring at for
the half hour while I've thought, and smile at my lady in waiting. "What is
it?"

"You seem troubled," Seda begins hesitantly, her green eyes concerned. She
pushes a lock of hair from her eyes and hovers in front of me. Poor thing.
Though she's been with me for five months now she still is nervous in my
presence. "Could I be of help?"

"No," I shake my head and smile. "There isn't a clear reason why I look 
this way, I am afraid." Rising to my feet, I walk towards her, clasping her
shoulder as I pass. "It isn't something for you to trouble yourself over,
Seda. I will be fine. I was indulging myself by thinking of some passing 
fancies, that's all."

"Eries-hime," she whispers, looking up at me with those big green eyes, and
for a moment I'm struck by them and I freeze. They're so bright... just as hers
were. Filled with a kindness I've always longed for. "I... I am here for you."
Ducking her head now, Seda turns bright red and stammers, "I do not mean to
sound bold, I just wish for you to know if you should ever need to talk I am
here. Certainly I do not expect you--"

I find myself reaching out to her before I can stop it. I shouldn't do such
things, I know this to be true, but I cannot help myself. She was so much like
her a moment ago that I wonder if perhaps my fairy tale is just beginning now.
And it is not one which will star me and the girl from the Mystic Moon, but
rather the person in front of me, looking at me with teary green eyes full of
worry and love.

"Thank you, Seda," I murmur quietly, cupping her face in my hands.

She tips her head up to me and smiles again. It is beauty and light, filling
me to my very soul and I do not want to stop myself as my hands slide down
from her face to clasp her small waist. Pulling her to me, enjoying her gasp
of surprise and perhaps delight, as she is pressed against me, I lower my lips
to hers. Her taste is berries, sweet and full in my mouth and I find myself
wanting more. I hesitantly press forward, slipping my tongue into her mouth
and when I do, she moans into me, kissing me back with a frantic eagerness I
would not have expected from her.

When we part, she looks flustered but happy, only to have her eyes darken with
worry and as she opens her lips to speak I know what is about to be said. She
should not be so concerned, I rarely do anything that I regret and when I do,
I know I am to blame and no one else.

"I dare say I cannot think of you as only a servant, after that," I say to 
her with a wry smile and she freezes in her would be speech, her mouth hanging
open in surprise. I chuckle at her and push her chin up as I continue, "Perhaps 
you would like to be something else as well? A future consort to an
Asturian Princess?"

"Eries-hime... I..." Seda says slowly, looking at me with disbelief and joy. I
chuckle again as she soon recovers and flings herself at me for a hug.

Kissing the top of her dark locks, breathing in her scent of wildflowers, I
know this is only the start of my story. I played only the smallest of roles
in the tale of Escaflowne and the beautiful girl from the Mystic Moon but that
was the part I was meant to play. Now is my time to shine and shine I will
with Seda at my side.

Because I suppose it is impossible for a Princess to ever truly be forgotten.

 
-End-