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Nausicaa of the Valley of the wind belongs to Hayao
Miyazaki. Gaia is from my imagination.
Category: Crossover and Romance.
Author's note: This comes from a larger story idea I had, It started out as part of Dad’s fan fic challenge but as usual my muse had other ideas.
Rating: PG
The Union
“I can’t believe I'm doing this.” Aeryn groused.
“I feel utterly ridiculous in this outfit. It's not even leather.”
Aeryn turned her full anger on Nausicaa, the young woman who had helped her find the outfit (if it could even be called that). It consisted of a thin silk bodice that was low cut and was covered in patterns of gold and silver. That in itself wasn’t too bad, but unfortunately the bottom part of the outfit was short, coming just below Aeryn’s knees. It was the same color of the bodice, and was adorned with the same patterns.
“It was all I could find,” Nausicaa responded. “White outfits aren’t too common anymore.”
Aeryn let out a sigh of resignation. “I must be out of my mind. I can’t fight or even fly in this, this thing.”
Nausicaa laughed and smiled gently. “It looks fine, besides who would possibly be a threat? You know that you and John are safe here now.”
“The Peacekeepers have found Earth twice before,” Aeryn responded to Nausicaa’s comment. "They may try a third time.”
Nausicaa reached out and put a calming arm on Aeryn’s shoulder. “It will be fine, I think they learned their lesson the last time. Now stop worrying and let me do your hair. ”
Aeryn stopped arguing and held still long enough for Nausicaa to braid her long black hair. She added a small white gold comb and some red taria river stones that really set off the Sebacean woman’s dark hair.
“You look fine,” Nausicaa assured Aeryn.
"Do you have her ready yet?” said another woman as she walked into the room. She, like Nausicaa, was wearing a blue dress outfit. She appeared a few years younger than Nausicaa with green eyes and long midnight black hair.
“They're getting impatient.” she said.
“I’m about to call the whole thing off,” Aeryn snapped.
“"Look at me in this outfit it's completely ridiculous !”
Gaia, the new arrival into the conversation, smiled gently. “You look fine, besides a few days ago you told both Nausicaa and I that no matter what you said we were to help you go through with this.”
“It's not going to be that bad,” Nausicaa responded. “You're the only other person I know who has ridden a hebikera.”
“This is much scarier,” Aeryn retorted. “I would rather face an enraged Ohmu.”
Both Gaia and Nausicaa began to laugh at Aeryn’s comment, thinking of the wise but threatening insects.
“If you waste too much time you may have to face that also,” Gaia joked. “They don’t like to be kept waiting.”
“All we need now is earrings,” Nausicaa commented, causing Aeryn to back up, as if she had suggested painting her face pink.
“No, I'm not going to allow that,” Aeryn’s voice rose.
“If you don’t want to wear earrings why are your ears pierced?” Nausicaa asked.
“It was back when I was a Peacekeeper,” Aeryn told the Princess. “A few of us were drunk and they challenged me to get them pierced. I never intended to actually wear earrings. Besides neither of you brought any jewelry for me to wear,” her voice filling with hope.
Nausicaa quickly took her earrings off and offered them to Aeryn. “Please wear these,” Nausicaa held her hand out, the red stones shining. “They are the same stone as in your comb - consider them a loan.”
Aeryn, like so many others found herself unable to refuse Nausicaa’s kind voice and eyes. Reluctantly, she took the earrings and put them in her own ears.
“You look even better,” Gaia told Aeryn. “Now lets go, its almost time.”
“Not so fast, you nearly forgot one thing," Nausicaa said. She went over to an ornately carved box and opened it. Inside the box, were three elaborately designed masks.
“Don’t want to forget these.”
***
John was waiting none to patiently for Aeryn and her two attendants to come out. Leaning against a hollow tree, he fought the nervousness that was forming within the pit of his belly. Next to finding Earth, this was his greatest dream, and now it was about to be fulfilled.
Aeryn stepped from the small hut, Nausicaa and Gaia flanking her. Both of the younger women were dressed in blue: Gaia’s was a long flowing dress of very simple design. Nausicaa was dressed in a shorter tunic dress that covered a tan pant suit and had a white design on the collar. Aeryn on the other hand was dressed in a white, exotic looking dress with a short skirt. If it wasn't for the look of pure agony on her face John would have lost his voice in amazement. As it was, the look of martyrdom cracked him up.
“Its not funny John,” Aeryn’s voice held more threat then a Scarren Dreadnaught could convey.
That didn't help. The look of an enraged Aeryn when she was dressed like an ancient princess was just to much. The sound of John laughing, mixed with having to wear such an embarrassing outfit and the stress was to much for Aeryn. With a yell, she flung herself at John before Nausicaa or Gaia could stop her.
John never knew what hit him, Aeryn moved incurably fast, as she always did when she was angry. First he felt a sharp pain in his side, followed by several to the face. He hit the ground was flipped over onto his back, with an enraged Aeryn straddling him like she did so many years ago. She had one fist upraised, ready to strike at him.
“Its not funny John,” Aeryn was yelling. “I did this just for you, the least you can do is not laugh!”
“Sorry,” John gasped out. “You were just dressed so nice, and that look on you face was such a contradiction that I couldn’t help but laugh.”
“You are just too bizarre, human,” Aeryn’s face softened as she said the words. She got up and helped John to stand.
Gaia came over then, a look of relief on her face.
“For a moment there I was sure I could have to call an Ohmu here to separate you,” She teased.
“I don’t know if an Ohmu would have been able to.” Nausicaa added.
“Not even an entire herd.” Gaia commented back.
“Come you two,” John pleaded. “We’re not that bad.”
Aeryn simply smirked and attempted to straighten her ruffled dress.
Gaia sobered up, her face showed wisdom way beyond her apparent age. “You're sure you want to go through with this?” She asked.
“I have never been more sure in my life.” John responded.
“And what of you?” Gaia turned to Aeryn.
“I am ready also," she replied.
***
John stood with Aeryn at his side. Gaia was in front of them and Nausicaa was off to the left. To their right was a young Ohmu, now about the size of a prowler, yet it still had a long way to grow before it was full sized.
This young Ohmu was had be found by John an Aeryn the same day they had met Gaia, and it was a constant companion for when they traveled outside the safety of the purified lands.
Everyone was wearing breathing masks, elaborately created, simply for use in this ritual. For a few moments, John allowed himself to be amazed at Aeryn’s beauty, enhanced not only by her outfit, but by the natural beauty of the forest around them - a forest that most humans would have never dared to enter, even with masks.
Then Gaia’s voice brought him back to realty and the purpose for why they were here.
“"It is in this forest, witnessed by and before the ever seeing eye of God, that I bless this day when two hearts, so different from each other, join as one. As what many call the Sea of Corruption represents death and rebirth so does this union represent. An end to the old life and the creating of a new one,” Gaia said, motioning for John and Aeryn to come forward.
“All that has separated you has been forgotten. Leave them now in this Cleansing Forest, ” she said. “Now join hands, as the two of you are now joined as one from this time forth.”
As Aeryn and John joined hands and faced each other a deep rumbling could be heard that shook the very ground. John quickly grabbed onto Aeryn, ready to protect her from whatever was to come. Much to his surprise she had no look of worry on her face, and in fact Nausicaa and Gaia were also very calm.
“John let go,” Aeryn hissed. “There is nothing in this forest that we need to fear.”
“She’s right,” Gaia had a faraway look on her face. “It's the Ohmu, three of them have come.”
John lessened his hold on Aeryn but didn’t let go. “Ohmu,” He asked. “What are they doing here?”
Gaia didn’t respond as three fully grown Ohmu emerged from the forest and moved over to where John still had Aeryn in his grip. John could feel his fear rising as the towering insects looked down at them with their multiple deep blue eyes.
“John it’s alright, they mean no harm,” Aeryn attempted to assure her very new husband.
That didn’t help much, despite the fact everyone else wasn’t in the least bit concerned of the Ohmu’s arrival. John was terrified, he had never seen even one of the fully-grown Ohmu up close, and now he and Aeryn were surrounded by three of them.
Before John could react long golden tendrils emerged from the front of the Ohmu and encased both him and Aeryn. Despite this John felt peace overcome him as the Ohmu lifted him and Aeryn high into the air.
***
Warmth, peace, life. Those sensations moved through their minds as they stood in a field of golden wheat waving in a warm breeze. All was quite and still, as if life itself was resting.
:What is this place?: :You don’t know? It is in their mind, in our minds.: :It's so still. How can I feel you, feel them?: :Its natural, Nausicaa and Gaia have both felt this before.: :I feel as if we are really becoming one, its like unity, except calm.: :The gift of the Ohmu I am told.:
They stood embracing on the golden fields, the warm breeze moving through them. Aeryn’s eyes were the first to open, looking down from her and John’s high vantage point she could see the small Ohmu had also lifted its tendrils, even though it was to small to join in.
Soon both she and John were lowered once again to the forest floor, and though the Ohmu’s minds left them they could still feel each other.
“Anyone mind telling me what just happened?” John’s voice broke the silence. Normally Aeryn would have at least glared at him but she was still calmed by the Ohmu’s commutations.
As the Ohmu turned and left Gaia responded to John’s inquiry.
“They have blessed your union. Never before have I heard of them doing this, you should feel honored.”
Before John could give off a very Crichton comments Aeryn reached out, and with the new bound give to them by the Ohmu she calmed him, and together they were ready to face the surprises that Earth had in store for them.
