The Moon Princess Bride

I was inspired recently while watching Anchorman. Haha, joking! I was watching the Princess Bride, of course! Some liberties are taken, some thing changed, but I'm going to try and include all the characters in some form or another. Totally Serenity/Endymion, and if you know the Princess Bride, you know there is lots of action, adventure and romance. So? On with the show...

I do not own Sailor Moon or the Princess Bride. Or much of anything for that matter.

Miracle Max: Hey! Hello in there. Hey! What's so important? What you got here that's worth living for?

Westley: true...love

Inigo: True love. You heard him. You could not ask for a more noble cause than that.

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Chapter One:

The Engagement

Light filtered through the windows, focusing a beam on the giant canopy bed that sat in the center of the room. The room seemed empty, for nothing stirred nor made a noise; the only indication of life came from soft rapping at the far end of the room.

"Darling."

A soft tap at the door.

"Serenity."

A little firmer this time, the knock sounded through the vast room, echoing off the windows bouncing off the floors.

On the bed, the form of a young girl sat in shadowed light. The light reached only the girls face, etching out sorrowful features. A tear escaped wide blue eyes as the girl shifted them from the windows to the large mahogany doors.

"Serenity. Dear, it is time to go. They are waiting."

"Yes, Mother." The girl rose from her position on the bed, raising a delicate hand to wipe the tear from her cheek. As she wordlessly walked to the door, her voluminous skirt swished gently around her legs, and her heels clacked loudly against the marble floors. She grasped the iron handles on the door and opened it a crack.

"I am almost ready, mother. Just putting on the last touches!" Serenity managed a small smile, for her Mother's sake. "You know me, always late…"

Queen Serenity offered a sad smile. "Alright, darling. A few more minutes, then you need to meet Prince Diamond." The Queen turned and walked away, feeling her heart break at seeing the morose look in her daughter's eyes. 'But, it has to happen…'

Princess Serenity quietly shut the heavy door, laying her hand on it for a moment. The tears began welling again.

'No', she thought firmly. 'I cannot cry'.

Picking up her skirts and marching to her vanity, Serenity sat down in front of the gold mirror and looked at her reflection. Groaning inwardly, she fixed the stray hairs that had escaped her buns and touched up any out of place makeup. Not that she really needed any. Plastering a wide smile on her face, Serenity had to sum up all the royal training she has so she might maintain a princess-like stature. Standing up briskly and squaring her shoulders, Serenity took one last look in the mirror before leaving the sanctity of her room.

The uproarious clapping and cheering caught Serenity off guard as she inhaled sharpley. She snapped back to reality, and saw that the massive ballroom scene wasn't just a dream; this was really happening. Hundreds of the kingdoms "closest friends" were crowding the golden hall, filling up every available space, even spilling onto the adjacent balcony. She looked up briefly, allowing the tears to sink back, barely registering the swirling portraits of angels and fat baby cherubs that covered the ceiling, seemingly staring at her in mock contempt. Her dried eyes rolled down the alabaster columns that flanked the marble staircase, and finally came to rest yet again on the crowd in front of her.

They were still cheering, and Serenity was starting to get a headache.

"Yes, yes! We are very exciting for our upcoming nuptials. Long, have I waited, for the perfect Princess who will become my perfect Queen!"

Serenity felt a sudden pressure on her hand, and looked down to see pale fingers intwining their way through hers. She looked up at the owner, shocked at the gaul with which he touched her.

Prince Diamond was looking to the crowd, waving with his free hand and smirking to the crowd. Silver hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his brown eyes reflected that off a hunter who had just captured his prey. A regal blue uniform, decked with numerous badges and medals (which, Serenity noted amusingly, were merely costume) indicated the high status of the man who stood next to her.

Serenity's mother stood with The King and Queen of Negaverse just behind the couple, using her own royal training to keep a calm expression on her face. Inside, the Queen of the Moon Kingdom churned with turmoil as she knew the pain her daughter must be going through.

Diamond glanced down at his beautiful bride to be, and offered a wet kiss to the cheek. Serenity did her best to ignore the infected feeling on her cheek, but failed miserably. Her long, silvery blonde hair bounced behind her as she subtly tried to wipe any trace of Diamond's kiss from her face.

"Smile, sweetheart" Diamond hissed through grated teeth, never letting the smile escape his lips. "We are engaged, and you are supposed to be happy" With that, he pulled the tiny girl closer to his side, snaking his arm around her waist.

Happy. Now there was a foreign word to the Princess.

Serenity managed to keep her mask of compliance on until she reached her quarters several hours later. Not barely had the door clicked back into its frame had she flung herself on the bed, letting the tears spill freely down her silk dress.

As the tears subsided, Serenity wondered what god she had angered in her lifetime to have everything subsequently go so very wrong.

The impending marriage to Prince Diamond of the Negaverse did not sit well with either the Princess or the Queen of the Moon. However, as Serenity approached that certain age, marriage was necessary. The political power that would result from this union was too hard to reject; not a better match could have been made. Well, save one other potential match.

Prince Diamond was one of those men whose reputation far preceded him. The women he has bedded and the ruthlessness with which he ruled was well known throughout the universe, yet few were brave enough to say anything. Prince Diamond and his number one right hand man, Count Tyrone Sapphire, reigned terror upon any enemy. Diamond will only become more powerful by this union to the Princess of the Moon, and undoubtedly more will suffer. However, the Queen knew that as long as Diamond was married to her daughter, her Moon Kingdom would be safe from his tyranny.

Which leads us back to the room with the bed and the girl, who was now staring out her window, eyes glazed over in memory.

"Endymion…"

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Five Years Ago

"Stable Boy!" A fourteen year old Princess Serenity paused to look at the man before her. She didn't recognize him; she brushed this off in assuming he was new. New workers were always coming in and out of the castle. He rotated from his position at the horse's side, lowering the brush he held in his hand.

Serenity inwardly gasped as she gazed into deep blue eyes accompanied by raven hair that lightly swept his brow. Muscled arms were bronzed with touches of the sun.

Regaining her composure, Serenity ordered: "Stable Boy, I wish to ride. Saddle my horse."

The man offered a boyish grin that nearly melted her heart. "As you wish."

Serenity blushed slightly before turning on her heels and marching off to the castle to change into proper riding clothes. She had been in lessons all morning long, and was anxious to release some steam before her presence was required at some royal dinner. What had her mother said? Some visiting dignitaries or something…

"Probably another fool trying to get my hand…" Serenity muttered angrily as she pulled on her riding dress.

Traipsing back to the stables, Serenity watched the toned worker skillfully saddle up her favorite horse, Midnight Rose, and offering the creature a gentle nuzzle. Clearing her throat, Serenity walked the remaining distance to the stall and took the waiting reins from the man's hand.

"My horse will need to be feed and watered upon my return, please have it ready." She barked as she mounted.

Again, he smiled. "As you wish."

A bit put off by his good-natured response, Serenity decided to test his limits. "Oh yes, and polish my spare saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by the time I get back."

"As you wish."

With one more stare at the handsome man, Serenity turned and galloped away. The man watched her retreat all the while, the smirk never leaving his face as he went and retrieved a shovel.

An hour later, Serenity returned with Midnight Rose, a lovely wind-kissed blush on her cheeks, her eyes alive with light. Riding always put her in the best of moods; the freedom of riding over silvery hills with no limitations thrilled her to no end.

Coming to a slow stop and bouncing of her horse Serenity looked down and brushed dirt from her dress.

"Stable Boy," she started without even looking up. "Tend to my horse." She looked up only to see blue eyes staring straight into hers.

"As you wish".

Serenity frowned and abruptly handed off the reins. Quickly exiting the stables, she stole on glance back. He was staring after her, the crystal clearness of his eyes still present.

She turned and ran all the way back to the castle.

Serenity thought of the mystery stable boy as she made her way to the great dining hall a few hours later. Bathed and laundered, Serenity looked a sight in a flowing lavender gown that only heightened her youthful beauty. Silvery-golden streams of liquid metal, nay, hair streamed after the girl, with a few wispy tendrils framing her porcelain skin face.

As she entered the hall, her mother turned from the guests and smiled. "Ah, Serenity there you are. May I present King Terran and Queen Gaia of Earth" she gestured at two regal looking nobles who rose from their seats next to her at the ornate table.

"Serenity, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Your mother's description of your loveliness has done you no justice!" The King said warmly. His reddish hair and beard gave off the impression of a boy who grew up too quickly; a playful wink in his eyes showed his softer side. It was those eyes that caught Princess Serenity's attention; they were the bluest she had ever seen, save one other time...

"Thank you, your majesty." Serenity blushed shyly, offering a small curtsy.

"And Serenity, may I present our son, Prince Endymion" An elegant woman, no more that forty, with jet black hair swept regally into a knot gestured across from her, to a chair that Serenity could only see the back of.

"Prince Endymion it is a pleasure…" Serenity stopped as the man rose and swiftly took her hand in his.

"The pleasure is surely mine, Princess" He kissed her hand, raven hair brushing the back of Serenity's hand. "You will have to excuse me for not introducing myself earlier, but I was admiring the stables the palace has."

He looked up. Blue met blue.

"They are certainly beautiful."

Serenity gasped.

The Stable Boy.

Four Years Ago

"Oh, Endy, must you leave?"

"My Princess; I will be gone but a little while."

The two lovers stood in the rose garden, Princess Serenity's favorite place. The setting sun deepened the reds and purples of the flowers, offering an extra sense of romanticism to the clearly in-love couple.

Prince Endymion clutched the shaking hands of the Princess, pulling her close to his chest. Serenity willingly obliged, resting her head on the cool fabric of his tunic, lulled by the steady beating of his heart. Strong arms encircled her petite waist, and a warm cape enveloped her bare shoulders.

Reveling in this moment, the pair said nothing, sharing a brief comfortable silence. It was only when the Prince began to pull away did Serenity let out the smallest of whimpers.

Mirth filled his eyes, and Endymion gave Serenity one of his famous smiles. "Serenity, why do you mourn? I only leave to come back to you." He hitched his thumb under her chin, pulling her eyes up to look into his. "And then upon my return, we will announce our love to the world. Before you know it, we shall be an old married couple!"

Serenity smiled and flung herself into his awaiting arms. "Then, my love, I shall be happy."

Endymion buried his fair into her soft hair, tightening the grip on his arms. In the distance, a horn sounded, breaking the Prince from his reverie.

"The ship, Serenity. It is departing for Earth soon, and I must be on it." He took a step back, and looked into the distance.

Serenity nodded, fighting back tears. "Return to me soon, Endy. Promise you will return to me."

He picked her up in his arms once more, and gave her a kiss that he poured all his being, all his love into. Setting her down, he turned to leave the gardens, leaving on last lament for his love.

"As you wish."

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Present

Serenity wiped away a fallen tear. That was four years ago; about one week after her heartbreaking farewell with her Prince, the Queen received word that the vessel Endymion traveled on was attacked by pirates, not but a day from reaching Earth. The Dread Pirate Rubeus never leaves survivors.