Disclaimer: I don't own The Vision of Escaflowne. (Big surprise 
there) Anyway, this takes place about eleven years after the end of 
the series. The characters may seem a little out of character, but 
keep in mind that they're older now. Maureyn is my character. I 
created her and I own her (sort of). Oh, Maureyn is 
pronounced "marine". Also, the prophecy is an original work of mine. 
All right, now on with the story! 
A Silver Feather Carried on the Winds of Fate 
By: Penybright 
[email protected] 
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Chapter One 
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Van and Hitomi stood together, gazing at the star-splashed 
night sky. Van's hand found Hitomi's, and she smiled to herself. 
"Hitomi?" 
"Yes, Van," she replied dreamily. 
"Hitomi, I need to...tell you something." 
"Go ahead, I'm listening." 
"Hitomi, I....well, you see, I just....I don't know how to 
say this, but...I --- Hitomi...." Van trailed off. Words were never 
going to do. He'd mess it up and not get his feelings across. "I'm 
glad you decided to come back," he finished lamely. 
"So am I," she sighed contentedly. 
"Hitomi," Van whispered, pulling her close to him. 
"Van!" she gasped in surprise. Van looked into Hitomi's 
sparkling, green eyes. Oh how he could drown in those eyes! Hitomi 
saw the conflicting emotions in Van's cherry-brown gaze, and held her 
breath. Van hesitated, then pulled Hitomi closer, leaning down to 
tentatively capture her lips with his own. 
There was a sudden flash in the sky, and a figure plummeted 
to the ground. The person collided with Hitomi and Van, abruptly 
breaking up their kiss. The three of them were sprawled across the 
ground, the breath knocked out of them. Van and Hitomi picked 
themselves up and looked at the person who had collided with them, 
and was apparently unconscious. It was a young woman with long, waist- 
length brown hair, that shone dully in the light of the moons. The 
shocking thing, though, was that she had wings. Her wings were bent 
at an odd angle, but it didn't diminish their magnificence. They were 
a dazzling white, and the tips of the feathers were edged in silver. 
Van and Hitomi both had very different reactions to the stranger. Van 
gasped and became rigidly still. Hitomi cried out and a look of 
horror crossed her face. 
"No!" she cried. "I don't want to have any more visions. NO!" 
She gasped, clutching her head. Hitomi fell to her knees as the young 
woman stirred. The stranger reacted much like Hitomi, groaning and 
clutching her head. Both women had their eyes shut and began to speak 
in unison with hollow, lifeless voices. 
"The one tipped in silver 
Pain carried on the wind 
Destruction wrought in blood 
The silver one shall give 
Her blood for others' blood 
Shall let the people live 
Destruction begets destruction 
So peace in prosperity lives." 
Hitomi cried out and Van rushed to her side, holding her 
protectively. The stranger screamed, which caused Hitomi and Van to 
turn and look at her. She was a rather odd sight. She was sitting on 
the ground, dressed in what appeared to be breeches and a tunic. She 
definitely was not from Fanelia, or Gaea for that matter. The woman 
had a look of sheer terror on her face. 
"I, I h-have wings!" she cried, near hysteria. 
"You mean you didn't know?" Van asked, confused. 
"Who..... Who are you?" she asked timidly, as if she were 
afraid of the answer. 
"I am Van Slanzar de Fanel, King of Fanelia," Van 
replied. "And this is Hitomi Kanzaki." 
"And, where am I?" 
"You're on Gaea," Hitomi replied, puzzled. The stranger's 
wings suddenly disappeared, and she went into a dead faint. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 
When she awoke, Maureyn found herself in a comfortable bed. 
She opened her eyes cautiously, afraid of what awaited her vision. 
Sitting on a chair beside the bed was the lady she had encountered 
earlier. She had pale green eyes and short, sandy brown hair. 
'What was her name, Hitti, Hitom.... Hitomi! That was it!' 
Maureyn began to sit up, and Hitomi stirred. 
"Good, you've finally decided to wake up. I was beginning to 
get a little worried about you," she smiled. 
"I'm sorry," Maureyn said apologetically. "I didn't mean to 
cause any trouble." 
"Well, I'm afraid you've caused quite a stir," Hitomi 
chuckled, as Maureyn groaned. "As a matter-of-fact, you are to see 
the king immediately." 
"What!" Maureyn gasped. 
"Don't worry, you're not in any trouble yet. I'll be coming 
with you to make sure nothing happens to you along the way." 
"How reassuring," she mumbled. 
"The king's subjects are very loyal, and some might perceive 
you as a threat. That's why I'm your escort. No one would dare to 
harm you if I was with you.....?" 
"Oh, how rude of me! My name is Maureyn Gaullist." 
"Pleased to meet you Maureyn. We best get going now. The king 
is not on of the most patient men in the world," Hitomi giggled. 
Maureyn looked at her oddly, then got up to follow Hitomi to wherever 
she was taking her. 
Hitomi led Maureyn down twisting hallways, which after the 
first turn, had Maureyn completely lost. They finally stopped in 
front of a large oak door. Hitomi knocked before opening it. Maureyn 
stumbled into the spacious study. The room was well lit by the large, 
wall-length windows. The furnishings were elegant, but sparse. The 
floor was covered with a large, expensive looking throw covering . 
Maureyn was confronted with a tense scene as she was yanked in by 
Hitomi. The young man with raven black hair and reddish-brown eyes 
was talking to an older man with long, blonde hair and blue eyes. 
"When did this happen?" demanded Van. 
"Just yesterday. She disappeared in Zaibach territory." Van 
started at this. 
"Allen, you don't think....." 
"I hope not, for your sake as well as Gaea's." The two men 
stopped when they saw Hitomi and Mareyn enter. Hitomi went behind Van 
and stood over him, resting her hands lightly on his shoulders. Van 
turned to Maureyn. 
"Now we'll get some answers," he said, raising his eyebrows. 
'So, she had remembered correctly. He did say he was the king 
the night before. And she had interrupted their...... Oh, gods!' 
"Would you please give us your name, and an explanation for 
your...untimely entrance last evening?" Van said calmly. Maureyn 
swallowed, trying to find her voice. She was in hot water now! 
"My name is Maureyn Gaullist," she replied faintly. "And I 
don't know how I came here or why. I was on my own planet, talking to 
my mother and father. They were explaining to me that they weren't my 
real parents." Maureyn closed her eyes, taking a deep steadying 
breath to calm her nerves before she continued. Van watched Maureyn 
as she spoke. She had long, dark hair and brown eyes flecked with 
green. Oddly, she reminded him of his mother. "The next think I know, 
I'm falling out of the sky and I end up here with a pair of wings on 
my back!" Maureyn saw Allen start at this remark. 
'What is it with these people and wings?' she thought to 
herself. 
"What about the prophecy?" Van interrupted her thoughts. 
"The, the prophecy?" Maureyn asked, her face going pale. 
"Yes, the one you blurted out last night," Van said 
patiently. Maureyn proceeded to grow even paler. 
"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied. Van's 
eyes filled with anger, and Hitomi squeezed his shoulders in warning. 
"If you would please repeat it," Van said through clenched 
teeth. 
"I---," Maureyn swallowed. With a shaky sigh, she nodded and 
began to recite the prophecy she had given. "The one tipped in 
silver, pain carried on the wind. Destruction wrought in blood..." 
Horrible images flashed through her mind as she spoke. When finished, 
Maureyn remained standing, staring blankly at Hitomi and Van. Maureyn 
suddenly started, surprising everyone in the room. They all looked 
worried. 
"What does it mean?" Van asked anxiously. 
"War," Maureyn replied solemnly. 
"I was afraid this would happen," Allen grumbled, the 
sighed. "With Serena gone in Zaibach territory it can mean only one 
thing." 
"Is there any way to prevent it?" Van said, turning to 
Maureyn. 
"No," she replied softly. "It is inevitable." She choked 
back a sob. Everyone looked at her a little strangely. 
"There's more, isn't there?" Hitomi asked kindly. Maureyn 
nodded. 
"The silver one shall give, her blood for others blood," 
Hitomi recited. "That's it, isn't it?" 
"Yes," Maureyn sighed. "But it isn't clear. The image keeps 
shifting and changing. All I know is that all this is going to happen 
soon. Very soon." 
"I can see that you're a bit strained right now. Please go 
and get cleaned up and have a rest, Maureyn. Hitomi, will you help 
her to her room?" Van asked tiredly. Maureyn noticed that he indeed 
did look very tired. Hitomi nodded and ushered Maureyn out of the 
study. Maureyn looked back regretfully as the door was shut. Hitomi 
led Maureyn back to the room she had first woken up in. 
"I'll inform the maidservants to get you some clean clothes 
and a bath," Hitomi said quietly before turning and going out. 
Maureyn sighed heavily and sat down on the bed. Her entire life had 
been turned upside down, and now it was doing somersaults. 
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* 
It was evening when there was a soft knock on Maureyn's door. 
"Come in." 
Hitomi opened the door and stepped quietly into the room. She 
was wearing a pale blue gown that reached to the floor in graceful 
folds. The sleeves ended in white lace, and the collar was adorned 
with the same lace. She noticed Mareyn was fidgeting nervously with 
the sleeves of her dress. The gown was, in fact, a rather simple 
affair. It was floor length and of a deep green color. It had flowing 
sleeves and a square neckline. 
"Is something wrong? Don't you like the gown?" Hitomi asked. 
Mareyn jumped. 
"Oh, no, it's not that! It's just that the last time I wore a 
dress this nice was when I slew the dragon." 
"What?" Hitomi gasped. 
"Did I do something wrong? Maureyn asked worriedly. 
"No, it's just--- that you said you slew a dragon." 
"I didn't really have a choice. It was decided for me by my 
parents," Maureyn explained sadly. "They said I had to. They were 
very vague about the reasons. It had something to do with my past and 
my destiny." 
"Oh... well, I came to get you for dinner. I think that after 
dinner it would be best if you discussed this dragon slaying with 
Van." 
"All right," Maureyn said cautiously. Then hesitantly, "You 
said you came to get me for dinner?" 
"Yes." 
"Must I attend?" 
"It would me impolite not to." 
"I just don't like public functions. They make me nervous," 
Maureyn said fidgeting with her sleeves again. 
"Don't worry," Hitomi reassured her. "It's only going to be 
Allen, Van, you and me at dinner tonight. And besides, it's rather 
informal." 
"I'm not sure...." 
"You'll be fine!" Hitomi said, grabbing her wrist and 
dragging Maureyn out of the room. Hitomi managed to pull Maureyn to 
the dining hall, with Maureyn protesting the entire way. Once there, 
Hitomi shoved her into a chair and gave her a confident look. Maureyn 
frowned and began to study the tablecloth. Hitomi sighed, then took a 
seat next to her. A few minutes later Allen and Van walked in, both 
dressed in formal attire. Van sat beside Hitomi, and Allen took a 
seat across the table from the three of them. 
It was nearing the end of the meal, when Van finally asked 
Maureyn a question. She silently cursed to herself. She had so hoped 
that she wouldn't be asked any more questions. 
"Where are you from, Maureyn?" 
"I am from a kingdom called Merridian on the planet Drongar." 
"And what is Drongar like?" Van asked, his curiosity piqued. 
"I suppose it's like here," Maureyn said with a 
shrug. "There's trees and lakes, and oceans. There are three moons, 
though." 
"Maureyn," Hitomi began, "tell Van about the dragon." Van 
started at this, and looked at Maureyn with suspicion in his eyes. 
"Yes, please do," he said icily. Allen watched with mild 
amusement as the scene played out. Maureyn began to ring her hands as 
she spoke. 
"It was about eleven years ago. I was only sixteen at the 
time. I was sent into the neighboring mountains of my kingdom. I went 
alone, and couldn't return until I had slain the dragon. I don't know 
why I had to go. No one else in my village had to. Not even the boys! 
My parents simply told me that it was because I was special, that it 
was my destiny. So, my childhood was spent in training until my 
sixteenth year, when I went out and slew the dragon." Dead silence 
descended on the room. Maureyn cleared her throat nervously, breaking 
the uncomfortable silence. 
"Did you happen to..... take anything from this dragon?" Van 
asked carefully. 
"Yes," Maureyn replied, pulling something on a chain out and 
unclasping it. She placed the object lightly in her hand and passed 
it to Hitomi. Hitomi looked at it then handed it silently to Van. Van 
took the object gingerly, already knowing what it was. In his palm 
lay a heart shaped pendant. The pendant was green, like jade, and 
hung on a fine gold chain. Van closed his eyes, concentrating, and 
the pendant began to glow. Maureyn gasped and reached over to snatch 
the pendant away. Van opened his eyes, causing Maureyn to stop. 
"Welcome home, sister." Van said looking Maureyn in the eyes. 
Maureyn gasped and took a step back. 
"Sister?" she whispered in shock, before turning and running 
from the room. 
(c) Penybright