Hitomi gently helped Miki sit up, the blue haired young man
quickly regaining his color. "You should continue to rest, m'lord," the
brown haired doctor scolded.
"There's something I have to do," Miki climbed off of the bed,
stumbling over to where Wakaba lay nearby. The young lady's maid stirred
as he reached her, blinking up at him curiously.
"Miki?" Wakaba murmured, reaching up to place her hand on his
cheek before adding, "I had the strangest dream..."
"That doesn't matter now," Miki took her hand, squeezing it
lightly. "I feel like I have been blind," he murmured, "until now."
A bit of red colored Wakaba's cheeks, "You mean...."
"I would be most honored," Miki smiled, "if you would allow me
to court you, m'lady."
Wakaba sat up, Miki reaching out to help her. "I have been
courting you for so long," she smiled at him fondly, "it seems only
fair."
Just then the doors to the healer's ward opened, Commander
Nanami Kiryuu gazing inside with satisfaction. "They're all recovering,
I see," the blonde smiled.
Vaun sat up in his bed, the black haired young man blinking at
his leader in surprise. "Ma'am," he finally managed, "what has been
going on?"
"Long story, old friend," Nanami smiled, "I'll explain later.
The good news is that the foe lies defeated and we have a Queen to
crown."
"What?!" Vaun blurted.
Miki's eyes widened. "How long do we have left?" he demanded.
"A day, or a little more," Nanami replied.
Miki gave Wakaba a regretful glance, "It looks like much work
lies ahead of us." He paused, "I could use your help."
Wakaba smiled, cheeks reddening as she said, "I'd love to."
"Clothes?" Miki asked, tugging Wakaba up from her bed gently.
"Aye," Vaun agreed, noticing he was only wearing a white linen
smock.
"I supose I cannot insist that you all remain abed until we're
certain you've recovered?" Hitomi demanded, the young woman glaring
about.
"Knowing them I doubt it," Nanami answered calmly.
Hitomi sighed, accepting defeat, "I'll send pages for your
clothes."
A few moments later the four rushed out of the healer's ward
even as the castle halls were filled with busy courtiers. They reached
the Princess' chambers shortly, Anthy looking up from where she sat by
the soundly sleeping Utena.
"Is she...?" Miki frowned at where the pink haired captain
snored softly.
"Utena's fine," Anthy reassured her friends, the dusky princess
rising to meet them, "merely exhausted due to her injury and the
battle."
"I'm glad," Wakaba sighed, looking at the pink haired woman
fondly.
Keiko and Nanami greeted each other, Nanami folding the brown
haired ranger in her arms. Vaun blinked in surprise before murmuring,
"How long was I out?"
"Not that long," Miki smiled, "it seems that they were friends
from long ago."
"Ah," Vaun nodded.
"Your lieutenant looks like he's been hit in the back of the
head," Keiko cooed to Nanami, snuggling close to her.
"He'll be fine," Nanami chuckled, "he already knew about my
leanings."
Miki frowned slightly and asked Anthy, "I was told we have less
than a day to complete our preperations for the coronation?"
"We delt with things as fast as we could," Utena said, sitting
up in bed with a slight smile on her face. She added, "Good to see you
all awake at last."
Miki nodded, "Then we will finish the preperations as quickly as
possible." He paused before adding, "I swear it!"
Wakaba chuckled, "We'll get it done, Princess." With that they
headed out, Miki barking orders to the courtiers lingering in the hall
while Wakaba began to organize the ladies.
"Captain," Vaun hesitated, the black haired young man offering a
slight bow as he said, "I wanted to apologize for my actions."
"Not your fault," Utena shook her head firmly as she conntinued,
"we know you were under an enchantment at the time."
"Thank you," Vaun bowed again, rather nervously leaving the room
after that.
"Thanks," Nanami smiled. She took a deep breath, "I'd better get
to work, too. We need to make sure that the security is tight, as well."
"I'll help," Keiko added, taking Nanami's hand.
As Nanami was leaving Juri and Shiori entered, giving the
Commander and Keiko a respectful nod. The purple haired sorceress looked
tired, leaning on Juri for support. "You need to rest," the orange
haired swordswoman helped Shiori to a chair.
Shiori sighed softly, smiling up at Juri to say, "I'm all right,
m'love." She looked over at Anthy and Utena and reported, "I've used my
spells to check the castle and I'm reasonably certain that Mikage and
Mamiya are gone."
"I hope they've found their rest," Anthy sighed.
"You're more generous than I'd be," Juri noted, standing
protectively beside Shiori, "considering they slew your father and tried
to kill you."
"I knew my father was dying months ago," Anthy said softly, "and
the healers told me it was a disease of the blood and bone. Maybe Mikage
sped things along, maybe not, but my father had accepted that his end
was coming."
There was a soft noise and Anthy blinked before muffling a
laugh. Despite her protests to the contrary Shiori was fast asleep in
the chair, snoring softly. Juri shook her head, nodding to Utena who was
also snoring quietly on the bed. Juri gently picked up Shiori, then
slipped out of the room even as Anthy curled up beside her sleeping
lover.
The great hall was filled to bursting with noble men and women,
the arching roof drapped with gaily colored cloths in all the royal
colors of the kingdom. Delegations from across the land and neighboring
kingdoms stood waiting, the sweet scent of roses filling the air.
"Are you ready?" Utena asked, her black dress uniform edged in
rose making her look like some noble prince. The silver and gold
decorations gleamed, the long red cape swirling around her legs as she
moved.
"I am," Anthy smiled, her rose gown hugging her tightly from the
breasts to the waist then swirling out in yards of fabric. Her dark skin
set off the color beautifully, combined with her violet hair set up in
delicate ringlets.
"Then let's go," Utena offered her arm, Anthy smiling happily as
she slipped her own into it. They walked to the great doors, watching
them swing open gracefully. "I know about what you're planning, of
course," Utena said softly.
"Do you object?" Anthy asked, moving forward at a dignified
pace, smiling and nodding to the nobles on eitherr side of the rose
colored carpet they walked.
"I was a bit startled," Utena admitted, "but I don't mind." She
flashed a smile as she continued, "I was sort of honored, actually."
"Good," Anthy murmured.
Nearby the altar the members of what had quickly become known as
the inner circle waited. Court Magician Shiori stood beside Commander
Arisugawa Juri while Captain Kiryuu Nanami nearby with the ranger Keiko.
Kaoru Miki was dressed in his court finery while Wakaba stood proudly in
attendance. Not far ftrom them Hitomi, Vaun and the others stood, all
gazing expectantly at them.
The three representatives of the religions of Ohtori stood
attendance, each of them speaking a benediction of Anthy. Finally the
princess, now truly a Queen, took her crown from the cushion before her
and placed the simple circlet upon her brow.
Queen Anthy turned, shining with a soft light, the powers around
the castle and the kingdom coming together in that place and time.
"People of Ohtori," Anthy smiled, "I hope to serve this kingdom and it's
people well."
The crowd cheered, obviously pleased with what their new Queen
had just said. It took a few moments before they quieted down, Queen
Anthy waiting patiently until they all quieted down, the crowd sensing
that she intended to say more.
"Even as I have been crowned Queen today so shall I crown my
beloved," Anthy said, "the one whom has served ne so well, whom I have
come to love. She will serve you well, champion and warrior, even as I
hope to." Anthy turned with a smile, "Tenjou Utena."
Utena knelt before her, head bowed as she said, "My Queen."
Anthy drew her up to a standing position, smiling gently. The
priests spoke softly, running through the traditional ceremony for
marriage. Together Utena and Anthy repeated their vows, promising to
love and honor each other until death do you part.
Finally Anthy picked up a simple gold circlet, one matching
hers. "Bend your head," Anthy whispered before setting the gold ring on
Utena's head.
"I love you," Utena murmured, kissing Anthy gently, feeling her
arms wrapping around.
"Three cheers for Queen Anthy," Vaun cried from where he stood
with the other guards, "three cheers for Prince Utena!"
"Hip hip hoorah!" Juri cried, the others chiming in loudly as
the two women blushed fiercely, standing there together.
"Huzzah!" trhe crowd roared back.
"How long do you think until they quiet down?" Anthy murmured
softly, her lips barely moving as they smiled and waved to the mob.
"It could be awhile," Utena chuckled, "they care for you very
much."
Nanami looked over at Juri, speaking softly as the celebration
rang out around them. "I hope you don't mind my elevation to captain,"
she murmured.
"Utena can't do it as Prince Consort," Juri said with a slight
smile, "and you know this territory better than I do." She drew Shiori
closer before adding, "And to be honest I have other things to concern
myself with."
"Do you think a spring wedding would suit?" Shiori smiled
impishly.
Nanami chuckled softly as much for the look on Juri's face.
Keiko leaned forward to confide, "We have similar plans, in truth."
"We're enjoying courting, thank you very much," Miki said,
Wakaba holding on to his hand with no intention of letting go.
"But eventually...," Wakaba added with a grin.
The night ran on, foreign dignitaries and representatives all
paying their respects to the Queen. The faces ran together into a blur,
though Utena had to admit that one noble stood out oddly. The redheaded
young woman wasn't that unusual, but the fox woman that shadowed her
clearly was.
"What is that?" Anthy murmured in surprise.
"A kitsune," Utena murmured back, "rare but dangerous magical
creatures."
"Congradulations," the little redhead smiled, "I am Lady Rika."
She smiled up at the Kitsune, her expression fond as she continued, "And
this is Renamon."
"Charmed," Renamon replied, the Kitsune watching the crowd with
a wary glance, her whole stance screaming bodyguard.
"It's an honor," Anthy smiled at her while Renamon and Utena
exchanged respectful glances, one professional to another.
Eventually things died down, the Queen and her Prince retreating
to their chambers for the night. Utena took of the circlet, gazing at it
wryly as she said, "Thank the gods that's over."
"I thought that you looked very fine," Anthy gently laid her
hand on Utena's shoulder, giving her a sultry little smile.
Utena smiled back, leaning forward to press her lips to Anthy's
own. "You're lovely," she murmured to Anthy softly.
Anthy slipped free, sauntering over to the bed before falling
backwards. She cooed happily, "I have a task for you, my champion..."
"Oh really?" Utena asked, undoing her collar and pulling her
military jacket off, revealling a plain white shirt beneath it.
"Oh yes," Anthy agreed, tugging her down to the bed.
And so the story ends, though in truth the story continues on.
Under Anthy and Utena's wise rule the kingdom prospered, the people
happy under their kind governance. The royal couple themselves settled
down together in the great castle of Shi’Ohtori itself, no longer ghost
haunted but instead a place of light and hope. Around them they gathered
heroes and noblemen, comrades whom eventually would become the basis of
their own legends.
Arisugawa Juri's father eventually came to the capital of
Shi’Ohtori and made peace with his willful daughter, in part due to his
joy upon meeting his new daughter-in-law, the sorceress Shiori. Sadly
Keiko's family never really accepted her choice, but she quite happily
lived with her lover, Nanami. Finally Miki and Wakaba were married
nearly a year after the coronation, the two settling down in domestic
bliss.
With the aid of magic the bloodlines of Utena and Anthy were
mixed and nine months later Anthy gave birth to a pink haired, dusky
skinned daughter. Raised in love, surrounded by friends, Dios Ohtori
would grow up into quite the young woman, but that is a tale for another
time....
The End
Authors Notes: I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this series, and are
reasonably satisfied with the storyline. It ballooned much larger than I
intended but all in all I'm pretty satisfied with it. A further
continuation is still possible, but probably on a side character or as a
prelude. I wouldn't mind doing a story or two set during Utena's
mercenary period, or possibly afterward when she first entered the
guard. We'll just have to see.... Rika and Renamon are visiting from
'Dark Guardian: A tale of Rika and Renamon' as I had implied these two
series were connected.
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