Disclaimer: The only thing I own are my own thoughts and dreams.

Well here we go! I hope you like it!

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

“Father? How did you become king?”

“The same way my father, and his father before him became king.” The answer was simple enough, but it did not satisfy his sons.

“But Father, how did you become king?”

Van smiled warmly down at his two sons, each sitting on either side of him. Their younger sister lay curled up in Van’s lap.

Sparrow looked up at her father with wide blue eyes.

He wrapped his arms around the two boys, pulling them closer. “Alright, I’ll tell you… but you must listen carefully.” His eyes moved to each of his children. They looked back with excitement in their young eyes. “I had to kill a dragon!”

They gasped.

“You had to kill a dragon?” Cliff exclaimed, eyes widening in wonder. “Did you get hurt?”

Vincent looked away. “It’s not nice to kill dragons.” He muttered, cutting into Cliff’s question.

Van chuckled to himself. “That’s what I said when my brother told me the same thing.” Van gave Vincent a tighter squeeze.

Sparrow looked back and forth between her brothers then back up at her father. “Killing dragons is bad.” She stated with a nod, taking Vincent’s side.

He patted his young daughter on head, brushing a few stray blue hairs from her eyes. “It is bad to kill a dragon, yes. You all know our laws.” He smiled down at them. “But in order to become king, you must complete the rite of dragon slaying.” He paused to make sure they were listening. “You see, when you reach the appropriate age-”

“Am I the right age father?” Cliff cut in.

“No. Both you and Vincent have a long way to go before you will be the right age.”

“And how old were you father, when you killed the dragon?” Vincent asked, looking back up at his father; his own black hair falling into his eyes. Vincent flicked his head to the side so he could see better.

“I was fifteen when I completed the rite of dragon slaying.” Van smiled to himself at the disappointed sigh from Cliff. “Don’t worry, you will both be old enough one day.” Van opened his mouth to continue but Vincent jumped right in.

“But father… why are you king? Shouldn’t Uncle Folken have been king?” Vincent asked, sharp as always.

“Yes, Uncle Folken.” Sparrow nodded in agreement even if she wasn’t entirely sure what her brother was talking about.

Van ruffled his daughter’s blue hair again. “He would have been, but he wasn’t able to kill the dragon.” Wide eyes looks greeted his statement. “Now, no more interruptions.” They nodded and he continued. “When my brother Folken’s fifteenth year arrived, he left to go to the dragon’s nest so he could fight a dragon and become the next king. But he wasn’t able to kill the dragon. In exchange for his life, the dragon took you Uncle Folken’s right arm.” He smiled at his children reassuringly. “After he lost his arm, Folken left Fanelia.”

“But why Uncle Folken leave?” Sparrow asked.

“One day, you’ll have to ask him that yourself.” Van said, before continuing with his story. “After that, it was up to me to complete the rite and become the next king. That was when I met your mother.” His amber eyes rose from the children to his wife, leaning against the doorframe with a smile on her lips.

“You met mother while you were killing the dragon?” Vincent asked, as he too looked over at his mother before returning his gaze to his father.

“Yes. When it was my turn to fight the dragon, I ran into the forest towards the dragon’s nest. When I found the dragon, a warm white light wrapped around me and I was lifted into the sky!” Again, their eyes glinted with interest. “Before I knew it, I was on the Mystic Moon. That was when I met your mother.”

“Well I knew that.” Vincent said, crossing his arms over his chest. Sparrow reached over and pinched him. “Hey!”

“Children.” Van warned and they settled back down. “Soon after I met your mother, the dragon appeared. I was nearly killed by that dragon, but your mother helped me and I was able to defeat the dragon and bring its heart back as proof of my quest.”

“Energist.” Vincent corrected.

“Yes, a dragon’s heart is a drag-energist. After fighting the dragon, I was sent back to our world along with your mother and I was crowed king that very same day.”

“Father, tell us what the Mystic Moon is like, again.” Cliff pleaded, looking up at his father with eager eyes, his brother on the other hand looked disinterested.

Van nodded to his children before he began to describe the strange wonders of the Mystic Moon.

Hitomi walked over to her husband as the children slowly started to fall asleep listening to their Fathers gentle voice. “Come on kids, it's time for bed.” Both Cliff and Vincent rubbed their tired eyes before slowly getting up to give their father a hug and their mother a kiss before they left the room.

Van brushed his hand over Sparrow’s hair; she had fallen asleep in his lap. Carefully Van lifted her into his arms, and pausing long enough to give his wife a kiss, carried his young daughter back to her room.

-----4 years passed----------

Van held his mother’s hand tightly. “Please mother… don’t go.”

Varie turned her head slowly on the pillow. “Oh Van… your eyes look just as sad as they did that day at your Father’s grave. “Please mother… don’t cry.”

Folken held his mother’s other hand, watching his younger brother across the bed with sad eyes. Van had suffered much at his hands. If the dragon hadn’t defeated him, then he would have returned home and there would have been no reason for his mother to leave Van in grief at his supposed death. There would have been no reason for his mother to shed so many tears. But even though both had suffered, they had never blamed him.

“Oh Varie…” Hitomi murmured from the edge of the bed, little Sparrow lay curled in her arms; both had tears shinning down their cheeks.

Vincent and Cliff watched from the end of the bed with shadowed faces. They would not cry; Cliff squeezed Vincent’s hand tighter. They were not going to let their father see them cry.

Varie beckoned her children to come closer and placed a kiss on each of their cheeks. “I have been granted much happiness, but now my time has come.” Van looked away from his mother’s smiling face. Varie laughed lightly, and then started to cough. “Not only… have my sons grown into men their father would have been proud of… but I was able to see the faces of my grandchildren…” She let go of Van’s hand to run her fingers down Sparrows cheek.

The young girl hiccupped back a sob.

“I have had a long life… it’s time for me to join your father.” She whispered, then smiled and closed her eyes.

Van grabbed his mother’s hand. “No mother, you can’t go.”

She turned her head and opened her eyes. “Van… Please, watch over your family and this country. I love you,” She turned her head and looked over at Folken. “Both of you.”

Folken raised her hand and kissed it. “Go to father… I’m sure he has missed you.”

The servants in the room watched with teary eyes. A few of the younger woman held each other.

Her eyes started to feel heavily, but she blinked slowly at her older son. “Dear Folken… please don’t let your past make you… unhappy in the future… be happy.”

Folken lowered his face as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Yes mother…” He murmured, pressing the back of her hand to his cheek.

Varie turned her eyes to Hitomi and the children, then back to Van. With a last breath, her eyes closed and her breath stilled.

“Mother!” Van called, as he stood, leaning over her body, tears dripping from his eyes.

Hitomi clutched her daughter to her chest as she wept.

Folken slowly placed his mothers now cold hand back on the bed and rose to walk over to the window.

The twins just stood unmoving, it wasn’t until their father walked up to them several moments later and hugged them to him that they started to cry. “Never be ashamed to cry…” Van whispered into their hair as they wrapped their small arms around his chest. “Especially when the person deserves your tears…”

-----5 years pass----------

“Sparrow? Are you ready, dear?” Hitomi asked, knocking on her daughter’s bedroom door before slowing entering.

Her young daughter was fussing with her hair, trying to get her pale blue hair into a clip. Hitomi laughed at the look of concentration on the girl face before she walked over the help her.

“Thank you, mother.” She smiled in the mirror at her mother’s reflection. Sparrow looked much like her mother had at her age.

“Are you ready to go now?” Hitomi asked her daughter again.

“Yes, I think I'm ready.” Sparrow said as she stood from the chair near the vanity and ran her hands down the simply white sundress.

“That's good, but before we go we should stop by to tell your Father we’re going out to the market.” Hitomi replied as she took her daughter's hand and walked towards the training barracks.

“Father is really pushing them, isn't he?” Sparrow asked, glancing out the window at the open training grounds below to where she could see her brothers facing each other in the center training ring.

Hitomi followed her eyes. “I think it is more that the boys wish to be pushed.”

They walked up the path and along the edge of the training circle. Within the center of the dusty training circle the twins were sparing with each other with an almost magical grace. They each knew how and when the other would attack, always leaving them at a tie, but today it looked as if they were practicing a new move. Each taking turns attacking the other before switching to block.

Against the wall, watching them closely leaned the three men in charge of all of their training. Van turned his head to look at his approaching wife, with a smile he walked over the greet her.

Tal also flashed her a smile. “Is it another girl's day out?” He asked.

Hitomi nodded. “I promised the girls I was going to take them today if it was nice.”

Van stepped up and wrapped an arm about her waist. “What about you Yuki, is Merle taking the girls out too?” Van asked, smiling innocently as he looking at the last man leaning against the wall.

It had been Yuki's wish that there would be at least one boy in Merle’s litter. Unfortunately for him, they had ended up with three girls. His pale green eyes shot the king a nasty look. He loved his girls, but they were all fourteen, and all like their mother. Some days he just needed to get away.

Hitomi laughed. “Yes, Merle and the girls are also going to meet up with us.”

They turned to look as the sound of small feet running along the path got their attention. A small boy not much older then seven, ran into the training ground, passed the king and queen, passed the princes still training in the center circle and attached himself to Tal's leg.

Tal sighed. “Tobin, what are you doing out here? Where's your mother?” Tal asked, kneeling down in front of the little boy.

Tobin looked up at Tal with dark brown eyes, his messy short curly hair falling into his eyes. “Mommy said that I should give this to you!” The boy exclaimed with a smiled as he held up a small package in his arms.

Tal took the package and looked it over. Unwrapping the cloth around it, he found himself holding a small packed lunch.

Yuki glanced out the corner of his eye. “It looks like you forgot your lunch again, Tal. I thought you had convinced your wife she didn't need to pack you a lunch.” A smile tugged on his lips.

Tal looked at the small box with a sigh. “She likes to cook... what can I say.” His son still looked up at his father with bright eyes.

Hitomi laughed. “Meaning, you couldn't tell her to stop making your lunch.”

Van raised an eyebrow at his long time friend.

“Umm... yes. But you've seen her when she's mad! I'd rather live with Yuki here for a month then have to face her wrath!” After a few deep breaths he looked back down at his son. “Tobin, tell mom thank you for me and head back home, alright?” He directed, messing up the boy's hair.

“Yes papa.” Tobin replied before turning around and running back out of the training area.

Hitomi watched him leave then turned back to Van. “I'll be back before lunch.” She said, placing a small kiss on his lips. “I’d better get going before Merle gets mad.” Taking her daughter’s hand they left for the city market.

Van's smile turned to a serious look as he turned back to his two sons. “Alright boys, that's enough for today.” He called. The boys dropped their fighting stances and looked over at their father. They nodded in unison.

Vincent sat on Escaflowne’s knee out in the garden. He always went there with his brother after training; it was peaceful.

Cliff leaned against the opposite leg and ran a hand through his sweat soaked hair.

Vincent watched the birds move through the canopy above. “When will he decide?”

Cliff studied his brother. “What do you mean?”

“There can only be one king, and we are of age.” His dark green eyes turned to look down at his brother. Hard lines set around his normally calm eyes.

Cliff nodded. “You're right... It was our fifteenth spring just last month.”

Their conversation was interrupted as Folken walked out from around the path. “You boys should know the answer to that.” Folken stated, crossing his arms over his broad chest, his metal arm catching a few rays from the sun.

“What do you mean uncle?” Cliff asked, pushing himself off of the sleeping dragon's leg.

“We have no need for a new king.” He replied, voice gentle but stern.

Vincent glanced down at Folken. “He should still name an heir.” He rebutted, his voice flat.

Folken did not look up at Vincent to answer him. “Neither of you have proven yourself above the other, and don't try to argue the fact. You are both equal in all you do, how is he to choose?” Folken let his arms drop and continued his walk down the path, leaving the two princes behind. “He will choose when it is time.” Folken called back, his voice carried back on the breeze.

Cliff's brow knit in thought as he looked up at his brother's shadowed expression.

-----4 years pass----------

“Vinny, hurry up.” Only their younger sister could call him that. If Cliff tried, he would have ended up with his face in the floor, he knew from experience.

It was Sparrow's sixteenth birthday. She had now become a woman in the eyes of the court... and her brothers hated it. She was only two years younger than they were but they had always guarded and protected her. After dinner, there was a ball and she would be presented to the court... as well as many of the nobleman’s sons, some of which had been waiting for her to come of age.

They were going to have their hands full.

She moved down the hall with a smooth grace, her pale yellow dress trimmed with blue, and her hair up in its normal blue ribbon, made her look much older and far nicer then her brothers liked... It was almost as if she were saying: “Look at me! I'm of marriageable age!”

They brooded behind her. Dressed in their simplest formal clothes; Cliff wore plain tanned pants and a black dress shirt. Vincent wore black pants, with a white dress shirt. Both wore swords at their hips and a grim looks on their faces.

Sparrow stopped and turned to them. “You are both acting like this is my last day on Gaia. You aren't afraid I'm going to run off with the first man I see are you?”

They decided not to answer.

With a sigh Sparrow turned and entered the dinning room. Brothers...

In the ballroom after dinner, Van and Hitomi sat at the head table talking with Dryden and Millerna. Many couples danced to the soft music played by the musicians set to the side of the room, opposite from them were the large glass windows the showed a beautiful view of the back gardens.

"It's been quite a while since I last saw your little Sparrow. She's turning into quite the lady.” Dryden said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “You know, if we had a son, I’d have to propose an arranged marriage.” He said with a laugh.

“Good, so you’ve given up on your daughter marrying one of our sons?” Hitomi countered.

“Think of the union it would forge between our nations!” He raised his arms, nearly spilling the drink held in his right.

“Sometimes you’re useless, Dryden.” Millerna sighed.

Their oldest daughter, Jewel, looked much like her mother. Hitomi watched the young girl move through the dance floor with a young suitor on her arm. Jewel had Millerna’s violet eyes and long blond hair. She was also as slender and ladylike as her mother had been at her age, and just as popular with the men. The heiress to one of the most powerful kingdoms in all of Gaia, she had yet to marry even though she was entering her twentieth summer.

On the other hand, her younger sister Traya had already married and was expecting. Traya had married the prince of Cesario, a neighboring country to Asturia, but Hitomi was a little sad that she had not been able to make it to the ball.

“How is Traya doing?” Hitomi asked the other Queen.

Millerna’s eyes lit up as she answered. “Great! She’s very happy with her new home and the baby should be born within the month.” The two women continued to chat as the men excused themselves from the table.

“Does it surprise you that Basram has yet to show?” Dryden asked, lowering his voice.

“This is the fourth meeting they’ve passed up.” Van replied running his sharp eyes over the gathering. “Have any of your sources come up with any new information?”

Dryden pushed his glasses back up his nose. “None. But the other day, a trade ship from Basram failed to come to port… they never miss a trade. It was… unusual.” Dryden glanced at Van. “I sent a letter to king Barren, but I have not received a reply.”

The younger king ran his hand through his black hair. “I don’t like this.” He whispered.

Dryden nodded. “With this peace… we’ve let our guards down. If they are planning anything…”

Van pushed the open heavy oak doors to the empty meeting room. “They specialize in new technology… just like Zaibach did. Thanks to Hitomi, Fanelia also holds a good grasp of technology. What she brought back from the Mystic Moon has greatly helped to improve the lives of those within our boarders.” Van stated, leaning against the back wall and folding his arms over his chest.

“But the question is, are they planning something, or are we getting jumpy?”

Soon the doors at their backs opened and the rest of the Gaian leaders filed in. Van took his seat at the head of the table, with Asturia to his right and Freid to his left. At his back stood the captains of his guard, Tal and Yuki. Folken stood in the shadows to his right.

The meeting began.

Merle walked up and sat beside the two older women.

Hitomi turned to look at her longtime friend. “I haven't seen the girls all evening... did they stay home again?” Millerna leaned forward in her seat to look at the cat-woman.

“You know how they are; besides, I only come to these events to dance with my Yuki.” She smiled a shy grin.

Hitomi laughed. “I guess this is the only excuse you have to get him to dance, huh?” She smiled as her friend nodded in agreement. “Speaking of dancing, I hope Van doesn’t take too long with his meeting.”

“Well in that case.” Tal said as he appeared in from of their table and bowed. “Lady Hitomi, would you give me the honor of entertaining you while the king is away?” He looked up with a wink.

Millerna pushed Hitomi from her seat. “Go, I haven't seen Merle in a while, and besides, shouldn't you check up on your little girl?”

Merle nodded in agreement.

Hitomi took Tal's hand and let him lead her out onto the floor. She made a mental note to check on the children, knowing full fell that if she didn't, they would get themselves into some kind of trouble. Kids were kids no matter how old they got, and she could just imagine her sons beating to death innocent suitor who looked at their sister the wrong way.

He never danced, and this ball wasn't going to be any different. He just wished his brother would get it through his head that even if Cliff liked to dance, it didn't mean that he did as well. Vincent looked away from the dancing couples, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the wall. His sharp green eyes caught sight of his sister, talking to another young man.

The young man raised his sister’s hand to his lips while bowing deeply. Vincent could see the man's lips moving as he spoke to her. He narrowed his eyes and looked back at the dance floor. Cliff had noticed the young man also and was watching his sister while he spun around the floor with a girl in his arms. Vincent’s green eyes traveled back to his sister who was letting the young man lead her out onto the dance floor.

Vincent took a closer look at the man as they passed by him. Short dark blue hair, almost black, with a few longer strands framing his face Vincent knew that this man had no problem getting the attention of women and even has he walked out onto the floor, the young man received a few looks.

“I haven' seen him before, do you know who he is?” Cliff asked, appearing at his brother’s side.

“I don't know, I’ve never seen him.” Vincent answered, watching his sister as they began to dance.

“Maybe we should-”

“Leave her alone.”

“Father,” Cliff rubbed the back of his neck. “Didn't see you there.”

Vincent looked through his hair at his father.

“Leave her alone, it's her day. Let her enjoy it.” Van said, stepping up to his sons.

Cliff did his best to play innocent, while Vincent just watched the crowd.

Van sighed. “Have you seen your mother?” He asked.

“I believe she's out on the dance floor with Uncle Tal.” Cliff answered. Though he knew they were really not related, Cliff and his sister had always called him uncle, since he had always been a close family friend.

Van nodded. “I think I'll cut in then.” He walked out into the throng of people moving around the dance floor.

Vincent sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked over at his brother and cocked his head to the side.

Cliff turned and noticed a shy girl standing behind him, ringing her hands in her dress. Cliff smiled as he took her hand and asked her to dance.

To Be Continued

Well what do you think so far? Please review!

Jay Freier ( .red. you Jojo! Your my life saver!