The Message
There was still no further news of this new Sailor Soldier. The alarm had quickly become very hushed around the facilities and attention seemed to gravitate back to normal routine. As for Lady Metallia she had decided to take the Queen's advice and retreated from her duties for a day to herself.
Once again she found herself in the Court Yard where she once resided a night ago. This very place a darkness lurked and proceeded to follow her to. A wind whispering into her ear came a low humming sound. It's sound becoming a voice of many, a voice of familiarity. She knew it was him, the one who called her name in the palace.
"Show yourself!"
A figure garbed in a black cloak began to form from the howling wind before her. Its figure bowed to her as its head looked to her from under the darkness.
"So we meet again."
Its form rose to face her fully. Its figure towering over her slightly.
"It is now I come to you with important news, Metallia. I sense a great trouble for the Queen. You must stay close to her during these times to keep a watchful eye on her."
"Oh? What of this trouble do you foresee?" Curiosity piqued her interest.
"A birth." Its voice bearing an ominous tone as it looked on into the distance momentarily.
"A birth?"
"The next in kin, the heir to the throne."
"But so soon--"
"--It was not planned." A smirk seemed to linger against the tone of the voice. Their head fully turned to her again. "Serenity knows well of this matter but her husband does not, nor do the others."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"As I said, you must stay close to her. You will play an important role in the events to come."
Her expression was puzzled for the moment but before she could reply further the figure's form began to disappear.
"Wait!"
"In the Royal Gardens is where you will find her, Metallia." It's voice trailed as their figure disappeared completely.
Metallia was still confused of the revelations but proceeded to turn to walk to the gardens. A sudden feeling in the pit of her gut urged her to hurry her steps.
In a bed of roses is where the Queen lay, her white gown sprawled across the fragrant petals matching in color. Her silver hair fallen over with her face turned to the side. Those eyes of blue concealed behind the fallen ivory lids. She had collapsed moments before Metallia's arrival.
When the crimson haired lady arrived she found her queen sprawled upon the bed of roses. A sense of urgency fell over her being as she rushed to her side. Perhaps it was simply due to the former premonition of danger, but she could swear she saw a faint dark energy disappear into nothing from the queen's figure. A quick shake of her head and the vision was gone. It may in fact be her mind playing tricks on her.
"My Queen!"
Her hands placed upon Serenity's shoulders to give a light shake. When she failed to respond she began to lift her form into a seated position to lean against her body which was now seated beside her. A stir...The royal figure began to slowly open her eyes.
"...Endymion... Is that you Endymion...?"
The woman held back a sneer at the call to her love. She lightly cleared her throat. "...My Queen it's me, Metallia."
"Lady Metallia...?" Serenity looked to the woman beginning to regain her full conscious. "What...What happened?" She brought a hand to her head.
"I..." She began at a slight loss of words before a sudden energy took over her being. "You had passed out, my Queen though from what I do not know." She felt her head lower slightly. "Are you alright, my Queen?" The words came to her from an unknown entity within. On the outside she posed calm and collected, though on the inside she didn't understand what was going on.
"I believe so." The queen gave a shake of her head. "I feel so foolish..."
"There's nothing to feel foolish about, my Queen."
"There's something I must tell you, but you mustn't repeat this to anyone."
"What is it?"
"I...I'm pregnant."
"My Queen..." Metallia's eyes grew wide with concern.
"It's especially important that Endymion doesn't know about this, not yet anyway." She paused for a moment before letting out a sigh. "I believe this may be part of the reason I fainted. I have seen a doctor in secret and he said I may have dizzy spells, but they have not been this bad."
"My Queen, if I may, perhaps it isn't best to keep this a secret from others."
"No, they mustn't know until..." Her voice seemed to trail for a moment as she looked down to the ground for a moment. "Lady Metallia... I... I have not yet consented with Endymion about the matter."
"He does not know, my Queen?" Surprise, or at least an act of surprise washed over the woman's expression at her staged disbelief at what she was hearing.
"Not yet. I plan to tell him tonight and then make an official announcement tomorrow evening." She looked up at Metallia with pleading eyes. "I beg of you, please do not speak a word of this to anyone until I have done so."
"You do not have to worry, my Queen. I shall not speak a word of this to anyone. However, if I may, I do not wish to leave you alone during such times."
"You haven't had the time to rest properly after last night. I have promised you the day off."
"I am fine, my Queen. My priorities are to be certain you are okay."
"If that is to be your wish, I thank you Lady Metallia. I thank you for everything." She gave a warm smile to the woman before bringing herself to a stand. The woman did the same being sure to be close if the queen were to lose her balance on her way up. "I suppose we best be going so not to worry the others." Another smile and nod in return.
Yes, it would be best to get back to the others and of course stay close to her Queen during such unpredictable times. There was much to do in the mean time in preparation for the next big event. Oh how easy it would be to draw a gap between Serenity and Endymion if she blabbed to him. However, a force inside her mind urged her to be strong and do as the Queen was asking. Metallia's thoughts drew back to the mysterious figure who kept coming to her. She wondered what purpose this all had, but the sound of her Queen interrupted her thoughts.
"Lady Metallia?"
"Yes, my Queen?"
"Between you and I, you are my most trusted Lady. I am truly grateful to have someone so devoted to their job as you, and more importantly, such a dear friend." That infamous smile of the utmost sincerity and warmth passed from Serenity to Metallia.
She didn't exactly expect that from her and was taken back for a moment. A friend? Her? A sudden disapproving glance from the hooded figure emerged inside of her mind. It was then she quickly remembered her place in this and reminded herself not to be fooled by such easy going words. This, was a war she was not going to back down from. A nod to her queen with a forced smile accompanied the reply of, "As I am for your words, my Queen. Everything is going to be just fine." Her smile turned more genuine as a familiar feeling swept over her. It was back and she could feel him as one with her mind. Everything was indeed going to be just fine.