Title: PEACE AND WAR

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon.

Authors Note: I re-posted chapter one but don't worry, nothing's different. I just fixed some spelling and made sure there were no big mistakes. I also separated the two parts of the story so it's easier to jump from Serenity to Darien. If you've already read it you don't need to re-read it. I promise.

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Ten years later……

Serenity sat completely still, gazing contently through her window as the sun slowly rose over the land. First the world seemed to be in shades of grey, and then slowly colors sprang out as the light gently touched them. The birds started chirping in the morning breeze and she smiled at the calmness that seemed to surround her.

When the sun had fully enlightened the land, Serenity silently crawled from her spot and out of her room. She floated quickly and quietly through the long halls of the palace, smiling at the beautiful smell of morning. She slipped into the garden without anyone noticing and into the dew filled world.

Once she was outside she ran as fast as he legs would carry her. Her long flowing skirts picked up small droplets of water when she brushed against the shrubs. The sounds of birds surrounded her and the smell of fresh morning flowers carried her. She couldn't help but smile.

"Here she comes," Serenity heard before she rounded the last corner.

Serenity stopped running at the sight of her two friends standing there waiting for her, with a smile on their faces.

"Are you read?" Amy asked.

Serenity just nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

They all mounted the three beautiful white horses that were waiting patiently for them and they were off over the luscious green rolling hills towards the country. This trip they had done many times before, and each time they had managed to not get caught. But it all depended on them returning before the majority of the house got up. It was summer, so they had still some hours before the sun reached high enough in the sky to wake them up.

They rode for an hour, their horses glimmering in the early light. Serenity marveled at the beauty of the land. Her whole life she had loved to travel. Her mother would let her move throughout her own country as she wished with protection, but she had never been allowed to go farther than that. The war had spread into more countries, and she didn't want her young daughter to be exposed to any of that.

When they finally arrived at their destination, they slowed their horses to a walk. The trees were alive with life, greener than they would be the rest of the year. The dew still hung to the leaves, unwilling to leave. Serenity smile when a few droplets landed on her cheek and dripped down to her dress.

The ruined castle always came up suddenly, like it was hidden from sight unless you were right in front of it.

The three girls got off their horses and let them stand by themselves where they were. They would not wonder off on their own, they never had.

"It always takes my breath away," Amy said quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace of the place.

They had found the ruins so many years ago Serenity felt like it was another life. They had vowed to come back once a year to pay their respects. Today was the anniversary of the final war in the country, the war that had brought about the end of destruction and the beginning of peace.

Mina unwrapped the white lilies she brought with her and handed them to the other girls so they all had some. Slowly, they made their way through the grey stones and faded marble that was once the most beautiful place on the earth.

"It is sad to think that so much death came with such a beautiful place," Serenity breathed after a few minutes. They were making their way through the halls, placing flowers wherever they could.

"This is where it happened, the last battle in the country," Amy said. "Your mother was a very small child when the war finally ended. She watched her parents die trying to defend their people, and she vowed to put an end to it. It is through her bravery that we live in peace today."

Serenity admired her mother greatly for what she had done. Every day she lived in happiness because of her sacrifices.

The three sat together on the cool stones.

"Today we celebrate that anniversary of peace," Serenity said smiling at her friends.

"Another year and no bloodshed," Mina said.

Serenity sighed and looked around. Her eyes were slightly saddened.

"Why do you think no other country has followed my mothers example?"

The other two girls looked at one another.

"Surely living in peace is better then living in a time of war," she said.

"I supposed that depends on what you know," Amy said. "Imagine if your whole life you only knew war. Then perhaps the idea of peace might seem daunting to you."

"As long as we live in peace, we shall never know war," Mina said. "And I do not consider that a bad thing."

Serenity giggled.

"We should leave now or we might not be back in time," Amy said.

The three girls got up and walked back to their awaiting horses. They were off again in no time.

Serenity let her horse lead her back towards the palace, spending her time looking around. Everything seemed so peaceful that it made her heart swell with happiness, and she knew she would never like to live any other life. She had her friends and family, and she had everything else she had ever wanted.

Something suddenly caught her eye. She pulled on her horses' reigns and it ground to a halt. The other two girls saw her movement and stopped close to her. But Serenity had her gaze fixed in the distance.

"What's the matter?" Mina asked worried.

Amy followed her gaze and looked into the distance.

"Is that smoke?" Mina asked.

Serenity suddenly felt something that she was not accustomed to feeling. Dread and fear.

"We have to get back to the palace immediately," she said urgently.

Amy lingered a moment longer, looking at the scene. The sun was high enough in the sky that it seemed to glitter off of heavy metal. The smoke floated almost calmly into the sky, and it was unmistakable. Even her untrained eyes recognized the signs. She spurred her horse on to follow the others.

Serenity rushed into the palace and through the halls towards her mothers' room. Her two friends following quickly behind. She felt like her heart would burst through her chest and panic seemed to take over. She burst through the doors.

Her mother looked at her startled.

"Mother, we're under attack," she said choking on her words. Her mother enveloped her in a quick embrace and looked at the two other girls.

"What has happened?" She asked worried.

"Your majesty, we set of early this morning to visit the ruins of the old palace to pay our respects," Amy said bowing low with Mina. "On our return, Serenity stopped when she sited the signs of smoke coming from the valley. Even though we have not seen it before, it is unmistakable. An army marches towards us, and it is not a friendly one."

The Queen looked very pale in that moment, and she held her daughter tightly in her arms.

"Lady Mina, go now and call awake the rest of the house. We need to be preparing for war."

Mina looked almost sick to hear her say that, but she took off running.

The Queen looked at Amy and she could feel her pain.

"Lady Amy, you must tell me what is in your mind at this moment. I know you are young, but you have never led me astray before. Before I talk to everyone else, what do you fear?"

Amy looked at Serenity almost quivering in her mothers' arms.

"You have raised her to be strong and independent, but she has not idea of war. The shock alone could do her harm."

Serenity hugged her mother.

"I am not weak Amy, I can help mother defend our people."

The Queen looked unwavering at Amy for a long moment. Then she looked at her daughter who had both a scared and defiant look in her eyes. She loved her with all her heart, and right now her heart was afraid for her.

"My beautiful girl, how I love you more than I can believe. I know that should you put your mind to it you might fight this war as strongly and bravely as anyone else in these lands. But I could never wish that upon you."

"Mother, I will stay with you."

"No Serenity, you will not. Go now and pack your things. Amy and Mina will accompany you as they have your whole life, and you will go to a place safer for you than here."

"I will not leave," Serenity pleaded.

"You will do as I say Serenity, and you will do it with grace. Now go and pack, you will leave as soon as I can arrange it. I know that you will be hurt my darling, but I also know that you will be safer then if you were here. We have lived in peace so long that I fear we might not have the force necessary to fight back."

Serenity let tears fall down her face, but her eyes were still firm.

"If you argue with me, I will have to do this against your will."

Serenity looked in her mothers' emotion filled eyes, and although her heart screamed out against it, she pulled away and went quickly to her rooms to pack.

The Queen looked back at Amy while other men came into the room.

"Your majesty, we must take action immediately."

"Send word out to the whole country," she ordered with her eyes still on Amy. "We will raise our army within a day and fight these intruders. My daughter will be sent to a neighboring country as soon as I determine which to be the safest."

"My lady, do you think that is wise?"

She looked at the man who addressed her.

"I will not have her bare witness to this war. She is still to young for the pain it will cause her. She will have protection, and she will be called back when I know we can protect her. If something should happen to me, then she shall return to take her place as Queen."

He bowed.

"Lady Amy, please make sure she is ready to go. And inform Mina that she is to go with you. I know you will want to say goodbye to your families."

Amy nodded, curtsied, and hurried away.

"Where will you send her?" Another man asked the Queen.

"The only country we have ever trusted," she said.

"But the old king is dead and it is ruled by his son. That place holds a lot of darkness. Are you sure it will be better for her than here?"

"She might be exposed to darkness yes. The new king is not known for being kind, but he was raised by a tyrant. She will not be exposed to the death and destruction of seeing her home in chaos and her friends leaving and not returning. She will be scared and alone, but she will be alive. I have sheltered her to much all these years and now she will suffer for it. The new King is already at war and will ease her into it. Please make sure that she gets there safely."

"Yes, of course your majesty."

She stood alone in the room as they all left to prepare, her heart pounding in her chest. She had thought to raise her daughter in peace, and now it seemed that she had done her more harm then good. Her only hope was that Serenity might handle it with the same determination she did everything else. If not, she would fall into the shadows and her pure heart would be lost forever.


Over a week later Darien sat in the darkness of his study, looking over the latest reports he had been given by his men. His glossy black hair hung in his eyes, casting shadows in the dim light. A fire crackled in the hearth to his right, and he turned to it in almost a trance. The red flames danced and licked at the wood, devouring it with a greedy hunger.

He stood up and walked towards the window, watching the sun rise red into the sky. Dark clouds were forming not far off, and soon there would be a storm. His mind seemed to lull into nothingness as he tried to breath the stress from his muscles, but the tension wouldn't falter, and it brought him stubbornly back into the present. He sighed.

"I have a bad feeling about today."

He had heard her come in even though she had tried to be quiet. Her voice was quiet, even in the stillness of the room.

Her turned to her, his eyes full of emotion.

"Something bad has happened," she said.

"Yes, something bad has happened," he answered sadly.

Raye walked into his arms, her violet eyes catching quickly onto the light coming from the red fire. Her heart was full of dread and worry, and she could feel the tension building up inside her brother.

"The war has finally reach the place of peace, and I fear it will be wholly destroyed."

"Will we help them?" She asked.

"I wish that we could, but there is nothing I can do. How can I spare an army when we are at war? How can I go myself when my people need me here to lead them? All we can do is hope they have not been foolish enough to put their army to sleep."

Raye just nodded.

"We will never know that kind of peace, will we?"

Darien held her tighter, his heart breaking for her.

"I don't even think we shall get a glimpse of it."

"When were they attacked?"

"Over a week ago. News of it has just reached us this morning."

"Have they asked for allies?"

"No, they've asked for nothing."

They were interrupted by a messenger.

"You majesty, there is a small party here to see you," he said holding out an envelope.

Darien took it from him, still holding on to Raye, and opened it. The note was short and to the point.

Your Majesty,

Please accept my apologies in being unable to wait for a response from you. As you might be aware, we have recently come under the time of war. As I fear we won't be able to raise an army in time, I ask of you only one thing. Please protect my daughter. In my dreams of peace, I have not prepared her for the horrors that might reach her heart. Do not shelter her as she must learn, but please realize that I only wish for her to live with happiness in her heart. Send word that she has arrived safely, and then I will trust her to you until I call for her again.

The letter was stamped with the queens' seal. Darien felt his heart twinge as he re-read the letter. His whole life he had thought he was engaged to this small princess, and it turned out his father had spread the rumor hoping it would come true. He had wanted to ruled her country, and through a marriage he would have. Darien had clung to that hope his whole life, looking into the eyes of true peace, but that hope had been crushed and now he only felt resentment towards the idea.

Raye had been reading it over his shoulder, and her breath caught at the words.

"Does that mean she's here now, the princess?"

"Yes, I believe she is."

Raye looked up at him; hope filling her eyes for the first time since she was a small child. All she had ever wanted was to look into the world of peace, and this girl was her chance. She may be already tainted, but she had seen the world Raye dreamed of.

Darien felt his heart tighten. His beloved sister would once again be disappointed, and there was nothing he could do to save her from it. This princess he had heard was as innocent as she was clueless. But how could he deny his sister this moment of hope?

They left together to greet their new guests.


End of Chapter Two!

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