Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own Sailor Moon.

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Forever Betrothed

Chapter One – Just Breath

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Serena's POV

Just breath.

I had to keep reminding myself over and over again.

Breath. You can do this.

I had been in the small room dreading that my turn would come. It did, of course, it did. They called my name and lead me into an even smaller room. Sitting behind a bare desk in a windowless office was a pale man with long white hair and a long list of questions. This man was almost albino, the palest man I had ever seen. His long white hair reached below his lower back and his green eyes had a stern expression to them. "Let's begin, shall we?"

Some questions were easy of course, "What is your name? Do you have any nicknames? Have you ever gone by another name other than those listed here?" And so on and so forth. Some questions were harder to answer, "Where were you born?" I gulped hard and answered as best I could.

"I'm not sure, sir." I spoke quietly.

"Who is your Mother? Your Father?"

"Again, sir, I don't know." I lowered my gaze to the floor. "You see, I was found wandering around Terra when I was 6 years old. I couldn't remember where I came from or who I was. That is when I first became a maid to house Emerald." I shuddered remembering Lady Emerald, but quickly banished my thoughts. I never have to go back there again. "Due to some complications my reference is actually from Lady Emerald's son, Sapphire. He explains such in the letter."

"Yes, child, I have read it. Let's continue." He was very blunt. Usually I am very good at reading people, but this man eluded me. What did he think of me?

After what seemed like an hour of further questioning the man came and stared directly into my eyes. He seemed to be searching my very soul with a cold face. It seemed wrong, almost as if he wasn't always this cold... but I suppose he has to be. They couldn't let just anyone work at the palace, otherwise it's security would be compromised.

I couldn't help but stare back at him, holding my breath. Oh please let him accept me! He blinked first and then made a sort of, 'hrumf' noise and stood up. He turned and extended a hand to me, helping me from my seat.

"Place your right hand in mine and your left over your heart." I quickly did as he said, slightly confused as to what was about to happen. I held my breath as his hand glowed a soft yellow and I could feel a warmth lock onto my hand and follow up my right arm into my heart. Gasping I held onto that feeling as long as I could. So this is what magic feels like... The glow penetrated my soul and warmed me all over. It feels so...familiar...

I knew in that moment that my heart was being judged, had I been deemed worthy? The warm glow changed and flared. A bright silver was emitting from my chest. It locked on and it felt almost as if I were breathing in water, yet I could still breathe... The man quickly broke the connection. His eyes were wide and he stared at me. I felt uncomfortable, and squirmed under his gaze. After a long pause he finally broke the silence,"You have a touch of magic in you Serena, did you know that?"

I shook my head quickly. "I've... I didn't know. But it felt familiar." Magic certainly isn't unheard of, but usually people train and study it to use their natural abilities. People of status, not a common maid. Magic? Me?

"Should you ever experience it again, please seek me out. I may be able to train you to tap into that power, in the future should you wish." I gaped at him, at a loss for words. "Your magic is locked within you for now, but I believe that with proper training you could certainly be great."

"Thank you sir." I bowed, still shocked. My thoughts were on fire. I thought about how many times I had seen magic in my life. I could count on one hand. Not just party tricks but true magic. The kind that could heal the wounded, or even...

"Repeat after me. I, Serena of House Emerald…" His words were quick and snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I Serena of House Emerald..." Maids were named after the house they currently served under. Since I didn't have a last name, I didn't mind the custom, except that it tied my name to my awful past. The only past I knew. He went on, "...do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Gaia of Earth and her son, His Majesty Prince Endymion of Earth, his heirs and successors, according to law. May the Gods bless us all."

I repeated every word, my excitement building. The man gently smiled down at me, "Well Miss Serena, welcome to the Golden Palace."

I made it! I was free of House Emerald! Free to start over, and at the Palace no less!

I exhaled, letting the relief I felt and the next inhale wash over me. "Thank you sir. When do I start?"

"5 minutes ago." He said with a twinkle in his eye. I knew he wasn't so cold!"

"You'd better hurry in and find Molly. She will help get you settled." He began talking very swiftly and precisely, "Your things will be sent for at your current residence and you will begin living here at the palace effective immediately. You will get two days off a month, rotating with the other palace maids on your floor to leave the grounds as you see fit. You must adhere to our dress code, and your personal hygiene must be impeccable. You'll be working on the 5th floor to start. It shouldn't be too hard for you, mostly unused guest rooms and the like, until you can prove yourself for promotion. There is a curfew in place, you are not to leave your room after 10 o'clock unless you have been instructed to do so. Those over 18 have an 11 o'clock curfew. And the number one rule Serena," He leaned down to me to give his next phrase more weight, "No interacting with the royal family, their guests, nor with any one of rank within the palace. Should anyone need anything, you find me first." I had been nodding and making a mental list in my head of these new restrictions. Nothing out of the ordinary for a maid, and certainly better than I could have hoped. I started to turn when the man placed a light hand on my shoulder.

"Oh and Serena, my name is Artemis. I am head of staff here at the palace. I think you will fit in nicely."

"Thank you sir!" I bowed to him and ran through the next door eagerly.

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The sun had just dipped below the horizon when Endymion rode into view of the tower guards. They quickly lowered the gate and let him inside, recognizing his horse and armor. The swift ride had done little to calm his mood, but he paused to thank Twilight, his horse for the fast ride. She nuzzled into him before the stable boy started brushing her and filling her water trough.

Endymion walked swiftly from the stables into the palace, heading straight for his Mother's chambers. He barked a swift order at a page to run ahead and announce him. Endymion knew that she wouldn't have retired just yet, wanting to hear news of his mission.

Endymion paused long enough to be announced and went through the double doors into his Mother's Chamber. He bowed upon entering, taking in the familiar surroundings. Queen Gaia's rooms were quite large and had a warm, red glow to them. The main entrance acted like a separate seating room, decked with furs and lush red carpets. The grand fire was lit and through it you could see into the next room where a large 4-poster bed dominated.

"Endymion, my darling, how did it go?" Gaia was seated at her vanity with two lady's maids brushing her long ebony curls down her back.

"About as well as it has gone the last 15 times I have tried to talk sense into that woman! Her majesty Queen Selenity of the Moon continues to be delusional and will not consent to my release!" He threw himself into an armchair facing the fire. Queen Gaia dismissed her maids, and came up behind him.

Gaia had hazel eyes and an old soul. Her long ebony curls had a touch of grey to them but if anything it made her look more regal and sophisticated. Endymion's mother had always been there for him, especially after the loss of his father. From that day, she had allowed Endymion to help her to rule the kingdom, knowing that one day it would fall on him to run it. Gaia made sure there were no secrets between them, and spoke to Endymion as an equal... that is unless he needed scolding. He rarely ever did, though. Endymion threw himself head first into all that he did, accomplishing much in his 21 years. Gaia was bursting with pride, looking at the man her son had become. She hated to see him so distraught, knowing full well that his meeting on the Moon hadn't gone well. It never did. Endymion had hoped that after ten years of Princess Serenity's kidnapping, Queen Selenity would disband the betrothal alliance set forth so many years ago. Queen Gaia herself had had many amendments drafted up in the betrothal's place, hopeing that Selenity would agree to continue their alliance even though the betrothal aspect would be negated... but she wouldn't listen to reason. Selenity was resilient, "She lives I know she lives!" That was her motto, her mantra though she could never prove it.

"She still cannot face the truth. Ah, my dearest friend." She sighed and watched the fire dance in its hearth. "I had hoped she could rise above and let go, but she has stayed fast in her denial. Selenity was the strongest of us all, but she has been broken, truly."

"What can be done? What can I do to make her see reason? Princess Serenity is gone, lost, dead. It has been Ten years and she still wears the veil over her eyes! How can I continue to be betrothed to a ghost?"

"Queen Selenity is the only one who can break the oath, I have had the documents checked a thousand times!" Queen Gaia looked away, blinking back tears. Her son deserved to love and she had locked him into this sham of a betrothal! "If I had known….. If I had some way of knowing... you know I would have never…"

"Hush mother, hush." Endymion had gotten up and was hugging his mother tightly. He had grown into his true height and her head rested on his shoulder. "Of course I do not blame you. No one had known of the plot to kidnap the Princess until it was too late. I know you had the best intentions with my betrothal. We would have made a powerful alliance..." His words drifted off as he thought of the small bundle of sunshine Princess Serenity was. He had only met her once, when she was a small lady of 3 and he was 8. She was a clumsy crybaby, but she smiled so big when she met him, and hugged him with all her might. Endymion knew from then on he would protect Serenity with all his heart. After that first meeting it was clear the two would make a great match, and the betrothal alliance was drafted almost immediately. Though he didn't quite know what it had all meant at the time, Endymion did know at the very least that he would get to see Serenity more often and loved the idea of becoming best friends.

Three years later word reached the Golden Palace of her kidnapping. The bastards went through the unguarded Moon portal and disappeared. Striking the Moon Kingdom at it's very heart and soul. Endymion's father, King Azure mounted a search for Serenity, tracking the bandits to the Dark Moon. His forces were ambushed by the Dark Moon forces and King Azure died, which caused the start the Dark War. During the war, the Dark Moon had captured and twisted the minds of thousands of people, but none more prominent than the Moon King himself, King Sol. The Dark Moon used King Sol against his people, and Queen Selenity was forced to use the power of the Silver Millennium Crystal to attempt a mass healing. Unfortunately, the depths of the corruption for the King was so great it poisoned his very soul. The Silver Millennium Crystal destroyed King Sol, and scattered his body to the winds. From that day forward the Queen sealed the Moon portal, allowing only those with permission to use it. She ended up bringing peace to her planet, and beating those of the Dark Moon back to the shadows from whence they came. Those planets that wouldn't aid the Moon Kingdom in the war were banished for a time, called traitors to the Moon Kingdom, and only now are relations improving. The war ended almost exactly on the one year mark of its beginning, but Princess Serenity was nowhere to be found, and remained lost, presumed dead, to this day.

Endymion's eyes grew dark as he thought of his Father's death and his innocence lost in that one year alone. He just wanted to finally be happy. Yet still, no matter what he did, he couldn't be free of her ghost. Queen Selenity wouldn't listen to reason, claiming that Serenity still lives, somewhere on this plane of existence, she lives. That is all she would say on the matter! She would just sit on her throne, clutching the Silver Millennium Crystal, always speaking to that damn crystal, 'She lives. Please, show me where she is. Please. She lives! I know it to be true'. That memory of the 3 year old girl with golden pigtails and a wide smile plagued him, especially in the night. He couldn't stop dreaming of her.

"I just wish I could officially marry, know the love and happiness you had… with Father." Endymion thought of the mistresses he had taken over the past couple years, just to feel something, anything. But he couldn't bring himself to get close with any of them. Endymion knew in his heart that unless that betrothal was broken, he would never feel the freedom to love.

Queen Gaia choked back a sob, "I know my son, I know." If only Selenity would see reason. Her resolve strengthened and she looked up at her son. Her son, a man of honor, just like his Father.

"We must find you a princess in secret and marry you." Endymion let go of his mother and started at her. "Yes, I know what I'm asking is treason, but our kingdom needs some security. It needs an heir to continue our lineage!"

"I can't break the betrothal Mother! What if word reaches the Moon? " If Queen Selenity knew of his breaking the betrothal she could do something rash, even start a war.

"Don't fear, Endymion. I will go to the Moon and speak to the Queen's council. Surely I can talk some sense into them and get the betrothal revoked. I'll go on the 10th anniversary of the end of the Dark War. Hopefully it will be significant enough to show them that this has gone on far too long! Our kingdom must have a legitimate heir! Meanwhile, we'll make your coronation ball a grand event and invite all of the eligible princesses so you may choose your bride."

Endymion's thoughts were all over the place. Would he be able to find love without the betrothal broken? Would his tormenting dreams ever cease? With a sigh, Endymion shook his head. He was obviously at war with himself. He lifted his eyes and locked them with Queen Gaia's.

"This is risky Mother. But I agree. I have to try." Mother and son embraced, and over his shoulder, Endymion could see the fire flickering. He sent out a silent message to the heavens, hoping it would reach her spirit.

I'm sorry I couldn't protect you Serenity, but I have to be pursue my own happiness.

Once more he bid his Mother goodnight. Gaia resolved to leave within 2 week's time to travel to the Moon once more. It would give her enough time to get proper clearance to use the portal and would coincide with the anniversary of the end of the war. Selenity, I wish it didn't come to this. If only I could have helped you through these past ten years more. Could I have made you well if I had stayed on the Moon with you? And now you've pushed me to treason... but one would do anything for their children.

Meanwhile, Endymion exited his Mother's chamber with a small smile on his face, his thoughts drifted to the last person he was close to loving in that way...The last person he felt some sort of connection to...

... Michiru...

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A/N: Gah! When I wrote this chapter it seemed so long, and now that I'm posting it, it feels so short! Please let me know what you think. :D

Big shout out to my first reviewer: nariayanez !