A/N: This is purely fictional and set in an alternate world. I am an amateur writer and the story is unfolding as I write. Romance and other genres will be present. Just tell me i'm a horrible writer and better off reading and I will accept defeat. LOL. I love this genre. Warning, this story may get a bit sloppy so please don't read if you'd rather not proceed.

Thank you for reading!

Prologue:

The village of Shieldon was renowned for its good harvests and produce. Ruled by their fair and kind land owners, the villagers lived in peace with little trouble from the greater world. To ensure the ruling lord's command over his people, the lord was required to use not only his intellect but his brawn to protect and defend from invasion and heathens who cared little for law and order.

According to custom and tradition, the sons of the ruling lord were sent off to learn and train as their fore fathers had done before them. But it was more than simply learning. As young men they would be subject to each battle, to each petty fight there was available. For a man who could not protect his people was weak and unworthy of the title Lord. However, the rule of a prosperous land did not come without its problems. For those who were given too much choice abused their power. And sometimes, it was the members of the family that caused the rot within…

Under the vast blue sky, the sound of children's laughter carried along the wind. Racing towards their favourite meeting spot by the stream, a girl of five with hair of molten gold laughed breathlessly as she chased down her good friend, a boy no more than ten. Unable to outrun the boy with legs longer than hers, the girl was happy to skip, jump and hop the rest of the way.

Reaching her destination, she huffed and puffed as she looked at the boy who stood waiting for her, his dark hair tousled and blue eyes sparkling from the run. "Told you I'd get here before you," he teased, as the girl stuck out her tongue, her face flushed from exertion. "Well, you are bigger than me Dar-ien,"

"My father says I'll get even bigger, like him." The boy said proudly.

"Well, if you get too big, we may not be friends any more," the girl pouted.

"Why's that?"

"Because… my sister said that when you go away you'll find new friends and forget about me." Looking down at the ground, the girl began playing with the hem of her dirty dress. "And that you would never want to have a girl as your friend."

"Who cares what your sister says? You'll always be my friend, Serena," the young boy said as he walked closer towards her. "Oh, I almost forgot. Father says I'll be leaving for Lord Artemis's residence in two days."

"So soon?" Serena asked clenching her small hands in her dress.

"Yes, mama hasn't stopped crying, but I told her not to worry. I'm going to be a great warrior and perhaps fight for the King like Seiya!"

"Do you think I could fight for the King as well?"

"What would the King want with you?" Darien scoffed.

"More than you know, Dar-ien Shoes."

"It's Shields," the boy sighed.

Rolling her eyes the way she had seen him do, Serena picked up a stick and resumed a mock fighter's stance. "Well then. I challenge you to a fight to the dea-th."

"And I accept."

Two days later, on the day of his departure, Serena stood red-eyed and weeping as the Lord's second son hugged his mother and father goodbye before coming to a stop before her. Aware his parents particularly adored Serena, he wasn't surprised they had allowed her to stand beside them on the dais to say her farewell, knowing full well he was her only friend. As her own parents stood in the crowd to wave him off, he heard the crowd laugh as Serena threw herself at him, standing on tip-toe as she hugged him around the neck.

"Don't forget me!" she cried.

"I won't." Then handing her an unopened rosebud, he smiled. "Here. This is for you."

Pulling back from the memory, Darien rubbed his eyes from the flickering candlelight and re-read the letter he received. It had been 15 years since that time. Having never set foot in the village for the same amount of time, he set the letter on fire. He couldn't help her; he had no time from such trivial things.

A/N: Thanks for reading, more will unfold.