The Prince of Pirates

Chapter one.

Wanted: Endymion, 'Prince of the Pirates', dead or alive.

Serenity smirked as she looked at the poster her maid had given her.

"Princess, are you still looking at that?" The maid asked, seeing the Princess relaxed on the bed, head in hands, looking at the slightly-torn paper.

"Yes." Came the answer, "I find it fascinating," she continued, turning onto her back, "He is the most wanted man in the world, with over twenty-thousand gold pieces wanted for his head, and he has yet to be captured. Strange, don't you think?"

"Not really, Milady, he is well liked among lower-class people, and too respected with the pirates for them to betray him."

"What is all this nonsense you two are talking about?"

Serenity turned to face the new-comer.

"Luna, we are merely discussing the going-ons of the world."

"Well, it's all ridiculous. Pirates are treacherous, vile beasts, and it's only a matter of time before they're all caught. Now, get-up Princess, it's far too late for you to still be in bed." Luna droned on, pulling-open the heavy curtains.

Serenity stood, allowing the maid to pull-off her night-gown and dress her in several petticoats, before Luna chose her dress. The stern woman threw open the large doors to the princess' armoire.

"Wear the purple one. His highness, Crown-Prince Diamond is visiting, and it's his colour. Hurry, hurry! It's already late!" Luna said, shoving the heavy material at the flustered maid.

"Oh, Luna, what would we do without you?" Serenity said sarcastically.

"Don't be cheeky! Now, I'll be waiting for you downstairs, Her Highness wishes to have breakfast with you." She finished, leaving the room in all the pomp reserved for royalty.

"What a stuffy woman." Serenity announced, smiling when the maid tried to hide her giggle.

* * *

"Well, don't you look nice." A voice commented from the bottom of the stairs.

"Cousin Andrew!" Serenity exclaimed, hurrying the last few steps and jumping into his arms.

"Okay, okay, it's good to see you too." He laughed, petting her head.

"Serenity," a calm voice admonished, "Don't overwhelm the King." Both heads turned to see a graceful woman walking towards them.

"Mother." Serenity mumbled, and watched as her cousin stumbled and blushed in the presence of – what most said – the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Queen Serenity!" He stuttered and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I didn't know you would be here today." Came the smooth reply.

"Yes, well, I was away from the Capitol anyway, so I decided to pay a visit to my beloved cousin." He replied.

"We are honoured. I hope you do not mind, but we're expecting Prince Diamond soon."

"Diamond?" Andrew frowned, "Oh, yes, I remember. Are you two engaged yet?" He asked, turning to Serenity.

"No, not yet." She answered tartly.

"Oh, but surely soon, dear." Her mother soothed. "Maybe even today."

"He better!" Serenity sniffed. "I'm almost sixteen, and he's been courting me for two years! How long does it take a man to sort out a treaty, anyway? And it's not as if we're the only ones getting something out of it! He'll be marrying into the high-royal family!" She fumed.

"My! What a spoilt little Princess we have here." Andrew joked.

"Indeed, but I guess it cannot be helped, she has been spoilt all her life by everyone who meets her." The Queen reasoned. "Your Majesty, would you like to join us for breakfast?"

"Ah! Of course!" Andrew said brightly.

Serenity snorted as her mother walked away.

"You act like an inexperienced teenager around her! Why don't you just marry her, for god's sake!"

"Well… uh, you see…" Andrew stammered, rubbing the back of his head embarrassed, "Well, I always could, I mean, she's only my aunt by marriage, right?" That earned him a slap on the arm. "Serenity, I was only joking!"

***

The hum over breakfast was silenced by the sound of trumpets before the large doors were thrown open and a man strode through.

"Queen Serenity." The man did a fancy bow before straightening.

"Prince Diamond, welcome! Please, join us." She replied. He smiled, taking a seat next to Serenity.

"Princess, you look lovely today." He said, kissing her cheek.

"Thank you, sir, you are looking well."

"Queen Serenity, there is something I would like to discuss with you, at your earliest convenience, of course." Diamond said, turning to his left. Serenity didn't miss the look that passed between her mother and cousin.

***

As Serenity was walking down the hall, Luna roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her in a different direction.

"Luna! What are you –"

"Sh!" Luna hissed. She dragged her towards a small hallway and behind a tapestry; there, there was a small wooden door.

"Luna, what are we doing here?"

"Just listen!" The two pushed their ears against the door.

"Well, Prince Diamond, what is it you wished to discuss with me?"

"Your Highness, I am already eighteen-years-old, and your daughter is almost sixteen. Also, I've been courting the princess for two years now, so I think it's time I marry her. I've come today to ask for the Princess' hand-in-marriage."

"Why, of course, you have my blessing. But, as Serenity is a direct member of the High-Royal family, you need to ask the permission of the High-King, too."

"You're a good man, Diamond, you have my blessings as well. Now, why don't we…"

Luna smiled like the cat that got the cream. "Princess, did you hear that?! The Prince and you are now engaged! Now, surely there will be a ball tonight, quick, we need to get you prepared! To your room, now!"

* ~ *

"Captain, we just got word that there will be a celebration at the Luna Palace. Everyone of importance will be there, and we've never raided this city before, so guards will be minimal. Oh, and your old friend, Diamond, will be there."

Endymion smirked, but never looked-up from his maps.

"Good. Tell the crew, we set sail for Luna."

* ~ *

"Luna, I don't want to wear purple twice in the same day. Pick another colour – no! Not white. It's too plain!" Serenity complained.

"Honestly, you are such a fussy child." Luna pulled out a few dresses, inspecting them thoroughly before dismissing them. "Oh, how about this one?"

Serenity looked up. The dress was deep-red velvet. It had a low, square neckline, long, drooping sleeves, and the skirt billowed out from the tight waist.

"The bodice is decorated with gold threading, and I know you have some delightful rubies set in gold, I'll get a maid to look for them. And the slightly maroon colour will bring out the silver in your hair." Luna gushed.

"It's lovely, Luna. Put some rag-rollers in my hair, will you? I'll take a bath after that, so my hair will have time to set." Serenity commented, turning the page in her book.

"Excuse me, miss, here are the rubies." A maid announced, unwrapping a cloth on the dresser.

"Oh! Look at that, Princess. There's a massive golden pearl as a pendent! How lovely." Luna mused. "Now," She said, addressing the maid, "go get me some rag-rollers – warm them up – and prepare a bath for the Princess. Now! Quick, quick!"

* * *

"Princess, you look absolutely wonderful!" Luna praised.

"Oh, yes, Ma'am. You look very beautiful." The maid agreed.

Serenity inspected herself in the mirror. The dress fitted perfectly, and the skirt gently dragged on the floor. The gold necklace, studded with rubies, hung low so that the pearl was just visible above the bodice and between her breasts.

Her hair was in a mass of curls, with clips, gems and roses threaded within, and hung to below her waist.

"Now, let's get you downstairs and into that ballroom. I can't wait to see your fiancée's reaction!" Luna began pushing her charge through the door. "Quick, quick! Wait! Carefully! Don't trip!"

* ~ *

"Endymion, the men are ready. And we've just docked. Shall we move?"

"Yes, Kunzite, get into position."

"And then?"

"And then, we wait."

* ~ *

Serenity was bored, so bored she was sure she'd drop dead any second now. The engagement had yet to be announced, and the party had already been going on for an hour.

So, here she was, standing on the dais, by herself, clenching the champagne glass tightly.

Her mother stood suddenly, and everyone's attention drifted to her.

"Everyone! Thank you for joining us this evening. This ball is to celebrate a very special event, something we have all been waiting for, I am happy to announce the engagement of my daughter, Princess Serenity, to the Crown-Prince of Nemesis, Prince Diamond!"

* ~ *

"Endymion?"

"Now."

* ~ *

The clapping was cut short by the sound of smashing glass. Serenity looked around, startled, as men came rushing into the room, armed, and grabbing at everything.

"Princess!" Luna called.

"Luna! What's happening?"

"Pirates! Princess, run! Get out of here –" Luna was cut off when a man grabbed her.

"Luna!" Suddenly, a man jumped in-front of Serenity.

"Why, you must be Princess Serenity. Charmed." He said, kissing her hand. "I am Endymion, Prince of the pirates, and it is a pleasure to meet you."

Serenity scowled, and yanked her hand away.

"Well, I can't say the same, Captain. Now, leave this place, immediately. Before I have you hanged!"

"Unfortunately, Princess, I am unable to comply with your request. You see, you have something I want." He replied, fiddling with her necklace.

"Oh? And what is that?" Serenity asked cautiously.

He smirked, and leaned in so his mouth was at her ear.

"You." She gasped when he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder. "Men! We're leaving!" He shouted.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Serenity screamed, hitting his back.

"Serenity!" Her mother screamed.

"Mother! Mother!" She screamed back, tears streaming her face as she was dragged from the palace.

* ~ * ~ *

Serenity sighed deeply. She was on-board the Prince of the Pirates' ship, and had been locked-up in this room for three days.

She had spent those days huddled up in a corner, crying, and now she was dried-up.

Serenity had no idea what to do. Just as she was fretting herself up into a panic, the door was opened forcefully.

"Still crying, Princess?" Endymion smirked.

Serenity straightened, and held her chin high.

"Still an acting like a bastard?" She retorted.

"Princesses should not use such foul language, perhaps you have been aboard this ship too long. Don't look so hopeful, I'm not going to just let you go."

"Well, perhaps you shouldn't look so smug. I am the favourite cousin to the High-King, and the fiancée to one of the richest men alive. And when they find me, you will be killed, just as you deserve!"

Endymion said nothing, but sat on the chair facing her, looking thoughtful.

"I'm afraid it's not going to work like that. In fact, what you think is your advantage is actually mine. Do you know how much I could get for you as ransom now? Millions, Princess, millions. So, I expect you to be on your best behaviour, if so, you won't be harmed, and I might even reward you. But, if you disobey my rules, or try to escape, you will be extremely sorry. Understand?"

Serenity nodded reluctantly.

"Good. Now," He began, getting up and holding his hand out to Serenity, "let me show you my ship."

After a pause, Serenity nodded, and took his hand, allowing him to lead her out of the room.

* * *

It was a very nice day, Serenity discovered, when Endymion finally led her to the deck. He had left her there, then, saying she was free to roam the ship, as long as she didn't disturb anyone.

She had never been to sea before, sure, her Kingdom was on the coast, but she was never allowed on a ship, one which could actually sail, anyway.

Endymion's ship was massive, bigger than any Serenity had seen, faster too, and was called The Shields.

"Ah, Princess Serenity, is it?"

Serenity turned to see a young man with startling white hair approach her.

"Yes, and you are…?"

"Kunzite, First-Mate of the Shields." He said bowing.

"Well, I'd say that it was a pleasure, but then I'd be lying." She said, turning away.

"Bitchy, isn't she?" A new voice said, one Serenity recognised as Endymion's.

Kunzite laughed and nodded.

"Glad to see you can have some amusement at my expense."

"Well, Princess, as much as I'm enjoying this – your company, that is – we have work to do. Kunzite, we need to make a stop at Mars'-Docks, Jed is there."

* ~ *

Diamond scowled, he had lost many things that night.

He had woken up that morning, three days after the Pirate raid, to find his forehead cut – and possibly scarred – all of the belongings he had with him stolen, and his fiancée missing.

It was Endymion's fault! The bastard knew he was going to be there!

"Diamond?" He turned to come face-to-face with Queen Serenity, and his face softened. She had been distraught, unable to sleep, even stay still. She had spent the time since she found her daughter missing wandering the castle.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"I want you to find my daughter, and when you do, I want those pirates captured and taken care of."

"Of course, your Highness." He bowed, and left, smirking, yes, he would get his revenge. "I'm coming to get you, Endymion. Just you wait…"


Thanks for reading! Please review, i'm open to any critique!