Serena felt as if she were a sacrificial lamb. Her mother Selene sat behind her and brushed the long pale blonde hair that matched her own. Serena's hair fell in silver waves down her back almost reaching the floor. Selene studied her daughters face. She looked not into the mirror but her gaze was fixed at the items laid out on her vanity.
"Serena, my dear sweet child. Don't be so solemn. It is a new beginning, a new adventure. A peaceful one. For yourself and for the entire universe"
Serena now 18 pursed her lips. She didn't want marry the earth prince. She wanted to stay on the moon with her mother, her friends, her people. She looked up to her mother in the mirror and nodded. It was part of a treaty set into place only 6 years ago.
She would persevere because it was her heritage. Her people were strong and loving. She would do this for her kind. She would do this for her mother. It would be peace if not for her but for the greater whole. It was her purpose and she accepted it.
The great war had endured between the two kingdoms for as long as anyone could remember. How it had begun was ancient history by now. The planets had allied themselves with with either the Moon or the Earth. With the invention of weapons of such great destruction there came a day when the losses overwhelmed any notion of gain for either side. The war had to end.
The planet Saturn had become a satellite war state for the Moon and Earth. It was complete and total destruction. The planet was desecrated. Only a hundred thousand survived and was forced to find refuge on a neighboring planet. As a result of the use of biological and chemical weapons the planet had became uninhabitable. Planet across the galaxy look in the refugees. As the people of Saturn flooded into the neighboring planets, people began to wake to the devastation of the great war. It was the pain embodied in the faces of the refugees that swayed the people of the universe to lay down their weapons, set aside the prejudices and call for peace. The fate of Saturn could never happen again anywhere in this universe.
Serena took a deep breath in rememberance of the events and her call to duty. She sat up straight. Her mother smiled.
"I am so proud of the woman you have become." She embraced her sweet daughter from behind. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You were so mischievous, so stubborn as a child," she teased "your father always told people that between the ages of 13-16 you aged him 10 years." Serena gave a laugh. "but look at you now," Selene continued "your love is brighter then the brightest star in Orion."
"I am fearful mother," Serena said softly "I have hear rumours that the Prince of Earth is cold, callous, spoiled, and far too prideful."
Selene shook her head. "Don't let the ancient prejudice of our people close your mind. He is human with faults I am sure. Not unlike us at all. Stay positive, be hopeful."
Serena nodded. She could not help the dreadful feeling that arose in her gut. But her mind was strong and she repeated her mothers words, stay positive and be hopeful.
—
Darien strolled down the long hallways of a palace abuzz with excitement and anxiety. The people of the moon had arrived today. He was too meet them formally within the hour. His fate was sealed. He was to marry the princess of the moon.
He felt indifference to the whole matter. He neither liked it nor disliked it. It was his duty as the crown heir to the Kingdom of earth. Although apprehensive when it came to the people of the moon he had to keep an open mind, set an example for his people. This marriage was a great stride towards peace for two waring states.
He turned a corner to find the 5 year old Demetri playing with his fugurines in the hallway. The mad rush of palace keepers all around not fazing him one bit. He was immersed in the fiction of his mind.
He crouched down to the young boy and watched. "Demetri what is happening now?"
"The brave soldier flies into the air catches the missile mid air," Demetri imitated flying and crashing sounds "He's saving the universes from war. " Darien smiled sadly. He knew that this was the fairytale ending that Demetri in his young mind sought refuge in.
Demetri was not his family by blood. Four years ago while Darien was having a wild night on the town boozing with his generals he came across a young woman panhandling on the streets with a small child asleep in her arms. She was a young refugee from Saturn living not the streets of town with no where to go, no job she could hold while caring for a small child. He took her in. The prince gave her work in the palace, provided her with a home and help to raise her child.
Outside the palace walls a great plague had swept and took with it an entire population. Demetri's mother fell ill after exposure shopping in the markets in town. She was the one of the first waves of people to fall to the strange illness, the cure was discovered soon after but it was too late for her.
Demetri had asked often about her as he grew old enough. Darien not wanting to shelter him told him the truth about his past. He wanted him to grow strong mentally and physically. He would never finish without reminding him of the hope for the future, the peace that lies ahead.
He ruffled his hair stood up straight and left him to his playing. Demetri was a reminder of his duty to this world.
Darien was still a young man though, only 22. There was a part of him that was not ready to let go of his freedom. He wanted to continue to indulge in lavish parties, drink, and women as he had for better part of the last few years. He had spent his days training as soldiers with his closest companions and nights in town bars and in the arms of some of the most beautiful women on earth.
He was willing though to give it up. It was his destiny. More then his desire for the frivolous luxuries life could offer, he desired to follow in the footsteps of his father, a great leader and his mother a great caregiver.
As he continued to stroll aimlessly, passing time he caught the stare of the ravishing Amelia. He servant in the palace. She smiled mischievously and turned to walk into one of the guest rooms in the corridor. 'whats one last time?' Darien said to himself and followed her into the room
—
Serena stood on the balcony and took in a big breath of fresh air. The Royal family had been more then accommodating, offering the most beautiful bedroom with the most astonishing of views. Earth was beautiful.
She prayed in gratitude for the opportunity to visit earth in peace. She made a vow to herself then and there that she would usher in a time where the people of all planets could freely explore the beauties of each others home.
To walked out of her bedroom and proceed towards the main hall where they were to be formally received by the royal earth family. She took in the beauty of the palace, the thought put into every detail was astonishing. The walls were adorned with many paintings, prolonging her walk to the main hall. She turned a corner and almost fell as she ran into something at her feet. She steadied herself and look down to see bright grey eyes looking up at her.
He smiled up at her. "Who are you?" His figurines in hand she smiled at his excitement.
"I am Serena, I'll be a guest here for a while, and who are you?"
"I am Demetri, I am a general, I defend the universe and these are my soldiers." He lifted his figurines up towards her. She smiled.
"Well I am so pleased to meet you general Demetri. I am most relieved to know that I will be so safe and protected during my stay here." He beamed and nodded.
"You most certainly are! Let me show you my palace!" He took her hand and pulled her along the hallway. Although she had to be arriving soon for the meeting she could not help herself but to be distracted with such joy.
He pointed and explained the palace but from a young childs perspective it was more amusement rather then informative. "And this hallway is land of the dead. Sometimes the soldiers and I have to come to this land to save the citizens." Serena fake a shocked looked. Demetri went quiet.
Faint sounds of a woman being pleasured could be heard. Serena blushed. Demetri began darting from door to door. "Someone is being hurt, I must find them."
'oh no' Serena thought and rushed after him. "WAIT Demetri! I think we should head that other way!" He was unconvinced.
"Here its coming from here!" He told her standing at the door. It had become silent. He threw open the door. "Darien!" He exclaimed. Serena rushed over the cover his eyes from whatever was behind that door. She slammed the door shut not before glimpsing the mad scramble of two people trying to cover themselves.