"Inevitable"

Part 2 - Six months later

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Serenity felt ill. In fact, for several days she had been weak, prone to dizzy spells and nausea. At present, she felt chilled to the bone in spite of the warm spring sunshine, her flesh riddled with goosebumps. Her palms were clammy, and she knew her face was pale. When no one was looking, she pinched her cheeks, hoping to bring some color to them.

The courtyard was brimming with people, all joined together for this momentous occasion. There were flowers everywhere, filling the air with the scent of roses. The sun shone brilliantly overhead, the sky a glorious blue, not a cloud in sight. It was a beautiful day for a wedding, but for Serenity, it was the gloomiest day she'd ever seen.

"What is the matter, dear?" her mother asked. Queen Selenity was dressed in her finest gown, a silver crown resting upon her brow. Serenity's mother had been awaiting this day for some time now, viewing it as an opportunity to secure the fragile peace that existed between the Silver Alliance and Earth. That was why the princess was in attendance. Serenity was scarcely ever allowed outside the Moon kingdom's palace, and so the queen hoped her daughter's presence would be a sign of good faith.

If only the queen knew that Serenity had been here many times before.

"Nothing is wrong, Mother," Serenity replied, forcing cheerfulness into her voice. "I'm just a little overwhelmed."

With Serenity's guards, all dressed for the occasion, in tow, the queen and princess headed for their seats among the crowd. King Hector had given them a place of honor at the front. Serenity wished he hadn't.

Earth weddings were different from those of the Silver Alliance. In the Alliance, the bride and groom entered together. On Earth, the groom awaited his bride at the altar. And so when Serenity took her seat in the front row, she sat directly in front of Endymion. It was the worst form of torture she could imagine, to be so close to her love, close enough to touch him, but knowing that in only a moment, he would be marrying another. And she would have to sit quietly and smile, wish the happy couple well, all the while screaming inside.

When their eyes met, Endymion's expression did not change. He did not pale or startle, he did not frown or cry. Serenity supposed Endymion had known well in advance that she would be in attendance, as well as where she would be seated. But something flickered across his eyes, something no one else would have seen or paid any attention. But Serenity knew Endymion better than anyone else, and she saw it. She paid attention.

It was pain that flickered across Endymion's dark blue eyes. Pain. Sorrow. Regret. Longing. Desire. Love. It was a brief moment, but it encompassed everything that was eating at Serenity's heart.

The pain she felt grew stronger. All she wanted was to reach out and take his hand, to comfort him, to run with him. To do anything she could to take his pain way. But instead, she had to sit there in silence and watch him speak vows of fidelity to another.

Somewhere behind them, a band of musicians began playing a wedding march, and the crowd stood, turning to watch the entrance of the bride. And in that moment, Serenity and Endymion looked deep into each other's eyes. They did not need to speak or touch. Everything they could have said was written in their eyes. All of their misery, their pain. And even more, their love. Their eyes were filled with their love, and then they both looked away and faced Endymion's bride.

She was beautiful. Serenity could not fault this woman for this fate, nor even hate her for it. She was beautiful, with dark hair and dark eyes, everything Serenity was not. She was taller, her figure fuller. Her eyes were filled with excitement and adoration as she approached her prince, her future husband.

This woman would be a good queen, Serenity realized. A good wife. Her eyes were not filled with the glory of ambition fulfilled, but with the honor of serving the crown with everything she had. Serenity could see that she was a good woman, a kind woman. She would love Endymion and care for him, and she would raise their children with the same love and care.

Serenity wanted to hate her. She tried to hate her, this woman who was gaining everything Serenity had lost. But she couldn't. She pitied this woman, knowing that she would love Endymion, knowing that he would never return those affections. He would care for her, he would treat her well, but his heart would forever belong to Serenity. It was not vanity that made her think so. It was the look that had passed over Endymion's eyes, a look that promised her a forever that could never be.

Endymion took his bride's hand and smiled at her, for all appearances an eager husband-to-be. And as the ceremony progressed, as the priest spoke the holy words, as Endymion and his bride spoke vows which bound them together for the rest of their lives, Serenity held her tears in check. This was the fate to which they had resigned themselves. They had known this day was coming. And so she joined the crowd in their applause as the new husband and wife kissed for the first time, all the while trying to ignore her breaking heart.

-

The ballroom was filled with swirling colors as hundreds of guests turned and spun about the floor. Laughter bounced off the high arched ceiling as revelers drank deeply and feasted. There was joy all around, except for Serenity, who would have preferred to barricade herself in a dark room and weep.

But as always, duty came first, and tonight, duty called on Serenity to dance. And so she danced. She'd been dancing for what felt like an eternity, and her feet were not pleased. But still, perhaps if she kept moving, if she allowed these noblemen to spin her and twirl her about the dance floor, perhaps her gaze would not fall on Endymion and his new wife. Perhaps she could pretend she was home, on the Moon, among her own people. Perhaps she could forget just what they were dancing to celebrate.

The music came to an end, and the man Serenity was dancing with released her. They applauded the musicians gently before bowing to each other. Grateful that no one else approached her for the next dance, Serenity walked back to her table as gracefully as she could, trying as hard as she could not to limp.

Collapsing into her seat, Serenity lifted her glass of wine and swallowing deeply. Her mother was speaking with King Hector, and her guardians were dancing, leaving Serenity with a rare moment alone. She took deep breaths, trying to steady herself and keep her emotions in check.

"Princess Serenity?"

Serenity turned towards the voice and nearly gasped. It was Endymion's bride, now Princess Katherine. For a moment, panic seized Serenity's thoughts, but she quickly rose to her feet and dipped a curtsy.

"Princess Katherine," she greeted, plastering a smile on her face. "I congratulate on your nuptials. It was a beautiful ceremony, and you make a lovely bride."

It was not flattery. Katherine's dark locks were swept into a diamond-studded netting, and her gold gown flattered her figure. Her brown eyes were swimming with delight, cheeks flushed with excitement and wine.

"I do not think I shall ever grow used to being called 'Princess,'" Katherine replied, gesturing for Serenity to sit. The bride sat as well, leaning in. "May I speak to you candidly, Princess?"

Serenity's stomach filled with dread, but she smiled gently. "Of course. Please, call me Serenity."

Katherine smiled, but her eyes were nervous now. "To be plain, I am terrified. I know nothing of court life, certainly not of leading people! And I know nothing of Prince Endymion as a person. He is handsome, of course, and he has been so very kind to me, but what if he is not pleased with me?"

The honest fear in this girl's eyes made Serenity want to weep all the more. Couldn't Endymion's wife have been possessive or cruel or pernicious? Why couldn't Serenity just hate her for stealing away her love?

With a sigh, Serenity placed a hand gently on Katherine's shoulder. Though the bride was two years her senior, Serenity felt that she must take the role of mentor to relieve this girl's fear. "Katherine, there is nothing to fear. No one will expect you to simply know how to be a queen, and there is time yet for you to learn. But I have always believed that the best way to lead is to always do what you believe is best for your people. Put their needs and well-being above your own."

The princess looked a little less nervous, but she asked, "And the prince?"

Speech failed Serenity for a moment. She thought frantically for the right words to say, words that would not in any way give Katherine even a hint of suspicion.

How could she possibly advise this woman? What a cruel twist of fate, that Endymion's wife should come to her for advice on their marriage. But, Serenity told herself, whatever she said to Katherine would in some way affect Endymion's happiness.

Finally, she smiled and took Katherine's hands in her own. "I have only met Prince Endymion a few times, but I can see that he is a good man. Do not fear that he will be cruel to you. I am sure that if you are kind and caring to him and his people, and to his children, he will care for you. He will be kind to you."

She wanted to assure this girl, this frightened, nervous girl, that there would be love in her marriage, but Serenity could not force the words to form on her lips. She could not lie about this.

It was enough, though, for Katherine sighed in relief and smiled. She clasped Serenity's hands tightly. "Thank you, Serenity. You have eased my mind greatly. I hope that as our kingdoms come closer, you and I can become friends. I sense that I will require your encouragement frequently as time goes by."

Serenity merely nodded, for she could not speak another word, and as Katherine wished her farewell, Serenity felt another twinge of agony grasp her tightly.

-

In spite of the warmth earlier in the day, the evening air was cool and crisp, a breeze stirring Serenity's curls. She leaned on the balcony's balustrade, her face turned up to the sky. The Moon hung full and bloated in the sky, casting a soft silver glow on the world around her, and for the first time, Serenity wanted to go home. She felt lost here, something she had never felt in all the times she had been on Earth. This place had always felt warm and welcoming in the past, but now it felt haunted. She wanted to go home, to crawl into her bed and never come out again. She wanted to run away.

Behind her, someone closed the balcony doors. Serenity did not bother to turn around. She did not need to see him to know it was Endymion. Her entire being was so attuned to him that she simply knew.

Endymion stepped to balustrade and rested his hands upon it, studying the sky just as she had. Out of the corner of her eyes, Serenity took him in, the way his dark hair fell over his eyes. A hint of stubble darkened his chin, and Serenity felt her body warm at the memory of its roughness against her cheek. His dark eyes were riveted on the Moon, brow slightly furrowed. His strong arms were tensed, sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He looked haggard.

"Thank you," he said suddenly, still examining the night sky.

"For what?" Serenity asked.

"For whatever it is you said to Katherine," Endymion replied. "After she spoke with you, she seemed happier, more comfortable. I don't know what you said, but thank you for saying it."

Serenity was glad he wasn't looking at her. She turned her gaze to the garden below, knowing from previous moonlit tours that they were filled with roses.

"I know it wasn't easy for you to speak with her," Endymion added softly.

"She is a sweet woman," Serenity said. "She will be a good wife to you."

Endymion flinched slightly at that, drawing Serenity's gaze to his face. His expression was no longer blank but riddled with pain.

"Endymion, I--"

"This is torture, Serenity," he whispered, still staring at the sky. "To be so close to you, yet chained to her. It is cruel, this twist in the stars. I wish she were wicked and greedy so that I could despise her, but she is so eager to please me, to do her duty to me and my kingdom. I would love her if I could, Serenity, for she deserves to be loved."

He finally turned to her, and Serenity was met with the brutal force of Endymion's pain. She felt winded, light-headed.

"I wish I could love her, Serenity, but I am yours."

It was physical pain to stand there, looking into his eyes, seeing her pain reflected on his face, and be unable to do a thing about it. Her entire body ached with longing, and all she wanted was to fall to the ground and scream her sorrow. But she did not. Instead, she smiled sadly and turned her gaze back to the Moon.

And slowly, very slowly, she placed her hand on top of his where it rested on the balustrade. He bowed his head, the same small, sad smile gracing his lips. Endymion knelt his head down and pressed his lips to her hand. Then he stepped back, bowed formally to her, and went back inside.

Back to his wife.

-

Serenity wanted to laugh her bitterness aloud as Katherine rushed forward and hugged her tightly, thanking her quietly for the advice and proclaiming loudly how she hoped to see Serenity again soon. Instead, Serenity smiled graciously and embraced the new princess. She assured Katherine that they would see one another again, all the while hoping that they never would.

Queen Selenity was finally finished speaking with King Hector and stepped back to allow her daughter to bid the king farewell. Serenity curtsied low to the king, thanking him for hosting them and complimenting his kingdom. And then she turned to Endymion.

Whatever pain she felt, she knew Endymion felt, too, but he hid it well behind a courtier's mask. The smallest of smiles turned up the corners of his mouth. "I thank you, Princess, for honoring my wife and me with your presence."

Serenity nodded her head, returning the smile. "It was a beautiful wedding, my lord, and I was glad to attend. I wish you the best of luck and fortune in your marriage."

Endymion held his hand out, and she curtsied and placed her own in his grasp. He kissed her knuckles gently, chastely, but his eyes met hers, and she saw once again the depth of her love reflected in his gaze. She smiled, hoping to give him some comfort, even if she could have none herself.

Stepping back to join her mother and guard, Serenity locked her gaze on Endymion, memorizing his face before the world disappeared as she returned to the Moon.

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Author's Notes: I know some of you may be surprised or disappointed that I made Endymion's wife an original character. To be honest, I toyed with the idea of making it Beryl, but in the end I decided against it. I didn't want Endymion to be married to someone cruel or horrible, because in reality, it's bad enough as it is. And as far as any other Sailor Moon characters, there were none that I felt were appropriate. So, Katherine. Aside from that, thanks for the lovely reviews! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. There's one more coming.