Chapter Two
-------------------
Endymion stood at his balcony, gazing out over his kingdom. His thoughts wandered, as they often did, to the mysterious maiden Serenity he had met in his garden. He was worried about her. A battle had occurred on the moon and rumor had it that the princess was missing.
As if on cue, he heard the bell ring from the gate. He rushed to the door, thinking the princess may have come here for refuge. But when he opened it, he was startled to find the Queen of the Moon and four beautiful women standing at the door. The princess's court, he remembered vaguely.
One of them spoke. He believed it to be Mars. "Has the princess been here?" she asked quickly.
"No, my lady, she hasn't. We have been waiting to see if she would flee here, but we haven't heard of her. Please come in. You shall stay the night."
He quickly sent his generals to escort them each to a room. He also sent his parents to the Queen's quarters, and arranged a dinner meeting as well. Then, he returned to his daydreaming, anxiously awaiting dinner.
************
Rose woke, the morning sun warming her to the new day. She rose quickly, and began preparing for the day. She had sewn herself some humble but pretty dresses and aprons, and donned a deep blue one. It was fit to where it tantalizingly alluded to her figure. She put her hair in a simple hairnet she had sewn, and tied the band around her birthmark. She also tied cloth around the hairnet as well, to hide the color, though that wasn't much danger. She didn't feel like using her powers to change the color.
When she was pleased with herself, she snuck to Naru's room. The girl was still asleep. Mischievously, she retrieved a feather from a basket. She sometimes used them when making hats. She lied down flat on the floor by the bed, and then reached up and tickled Naru's face with the feather.
The girl sniffed, and stirred some, then rolled over.
Rose grinned. She reached up again, and tickled her again. Naru grunted, and rolled again. She must have stayed up late, Rose surmised. She repeated the action one more time.
Naru sneezed violently, and then leapt from the bed, giggling. That girl sure was a morning person! Rose squealed, and ran from her roommate. They chased each other playfully, then decided to eat breakfast and begin their day.
Today happened to be market day. The two roommates had a booth they worked in the market all day. Naru sold her fresh vegetables and Rose sold her blankets and clothes. (She was secretly working on a dress she would wear when she next went to meet Endymion, which wouldn't be until she was back on the moon for a few days.) Rose had decided to lie low for a while, so the enemy would think she was dead.
After a breakfast filled with chatter, the two friends gather their items and saddle their carriage for the trip down to the market. It was busy today, a sure sign of success.
The vegetables and fruits sold quickly and Rose's name was also popular, so the decorative, warm blankets, dresses, and other clothing also sold quickly.
The day was closing and the two were beginning to gather what little was left over and preparing to leave, when they saw a man walking down the street causing lots of attention. Rose's heart raced when she saw it was the prince. She listened carefully.
"Has anyone seen any refuges from the battle on the Moon flee here?" he was asking, concern in his eyes.
He's looking for me! Rose thought. But however touched she was, she couldn't risk revealing herself so soon when surely the enemy was still on the prowl for her. And she couldn't let the Prince know who she was because the knowledge would put him in danger. This decided, she busied herself with loading their carriage.
"Pardon me, madam, but have you seen any refugees from the Moon around here?"
Rose's heart beat jumped shaking into her throat. She did not turn. "No, sire. But I assure if I see any, I will be the first to help them and then notify you."
The Prince recoiled. That voice...
"Serenity-hime?"
Rose took a deep breath and quickly used her powers to change her eyes to deep brown. Her eyes would give her away surely. Then, she turned slowly.
"Rose," she said simply, not meeting his eyes.
Endymion gazed at the young woman in front of him. She was lovely. Her hair was covered by cloth and a strip of fabric was tied around her forehead. It was a hot day, so perhaps it was something of a sweatband. Her eyes were startling familiar, but they were brown and did not meet his own. And the woman here was dressed in peasant's clothes. Even if it had been the Princess in disguise, she would never lower her eyes to an equal. He had been mistaken.
"Forgive me, madam. I thought you were someone else." Embarrassed, his eyes wandered to the things she had been loading into her carriage. His eyes caught glance of a scarf, weaved lovingly into a floral print. Red and white roses no less. "My lady, what would be the price of the scarf you hold in your hands?"
She finally looked up at him. Her eyes drew him in as only the princess's could, but he remembered her dusk-blue eyes as he looked into these of molasses.
"If Prince Endymion desires it, I would pay him to take it," she said, a small smile in her eyes as she bowed and presented it to him.
Endymion couldn't get over her voice. "Demo!" he protested, then caught the sparkle in her smile, a smile that filled her entire lovely face like another woman he knew.
"Keep it, Prince. It is a gift. The only price you need pay me is a smile on a face lined with worry."
Endymion stared at her. She was entrancing! "Rose, it was?" He smiled. "You shall see my smile many more times if you desire." Then, he leapt back onto his black stallion and galloped off.
Endymion surprised himself by the lack of guilt he felt from flirting a little. Yes, he had been interested in Serenity-hime, but he had only talked with her once. And you've only talked to Rose once too! he reminded himself. He decided that he was attracted to the peasant because she was so much like the Princess, if a bit more timid. Serenity had been hiding in his garden watching him, but when she knew she'd been caught, she did not hide or run. She launched into a conversation of avoiding royal duties, which was both endearing and amusing. And her beauty-renowned throughout the universe- was captivating though she didn't flaunt it.
For a moment, Endymion wondered again if Rose was the Princess in disguise. The princess had the power of disguise of course. He decided he wouldn't pursue that because if she had needed to lie to him, she needed to remain in disguise. He was not offended; he had sometimes done similar things. And if it was her, all the better. He decided he would return the next day and see Rose again.
Later, Rose wondered what she'd gotten herself into. She couldn't help flirting a little- she was interesting in him, after all. But would intriguing the prince as Rose ruin her chances as Serenity? It was mind- boggling. Had he guessed her identity? Although it was probably safe now, Serenity still didn't want to risk endangering the monarchs of Earth, her longtime friends and allies, or the people of Earth. In fact, her gut feeling was that someone from the enemy was very close and that she should stay low and wary. She had learned to trust her gut, too.
"Rose!"
She snapped out of it.
"The Prince was just talking to you! How exciting!" Naru's eyes sparkled mischievously.
Rose smiled. "Oh, he just wanted to by a scarf, probably for his intended."
"No, no. You are new here; you haven't heard. Rumor has it the Prince is fascinated with that Moon Princess that disappeared not long ago. He's probably looking for her! And also, the Sailor Senshi are looking as well; they're staying at the Prince's palace."
Rose pondered as she settled into the carriage and snapped the reins gently. It was valuable information. Should she get in trouble she could go there. She presumed her mother was there as well, trying to avoid the publicity.
When the two women reached their home, they found a couple waiting for them. "Can I help you?" Naru asked, puzzled.
The woman had curly black hair in a strange hairstyle and wore a yellow and black dress. The man had bleach blonde hair, practically white, and he was dressed in white shirt and pants with a golden cape. Both had the mark of the moon on their forehead. Rose was intrigued. Looking closer, she saw that the woman leaned heavily on the man, using her free arm to clutch her side.
"You are hurt," Rose said. Then, with a flash, she recognized them. Luna and Artemis, her mother's advisors! They were disguised as humans as they were better known as the talking cats that counseled the queen. They must have recognized her in the market or something. She stepped from the carriage and when she drew closer, she winked at them.
"Please come inside," Naru said. "You must have escaped the battle on the moon."
"Yes," Artemis said grimly. He hadn't caught Rose's wink, though Luna had; she was too weak to speak though as she kept losing blood.
"Yes," Rose continued. "I know a bit of healing myself." At Naru's surprised glance, she supplied, "It runs in my family." Luna smiled.
"Lie here, my friend," Rose said, directing her mentor to her own bed. Luna gratefully accepted, wincing as her side was jarred. Rose looked around, making sure the windows were clear. Then, she held her hands just above Luna's wound; they glowed white for a moment. Then, the white glow spread to Luna's wound. When it faded, the wound was gone. Artemis recognized the power immediately, but as he began to speak, Luna silenced him with a glare. Rose sagged in her chair, tiredly.
"Arigato, my friend." Luna said significantly. "What do you call yourself?"
"Rose," was the firm answer, "and this is my good friend, Naru-chan."
Artemis sighed. Most obviously, the princess was still in hiding. He and Luna shared a significant glance.
"Please," Naru proposed. "You must stay with us until we can alert the Prince of your presence. He is searching for Lunarian refugees and we promised to notify him of the presence of any."
Artemis nodded. "Thank you very much. For healing my wife, my ladies, and for offering us your home." With this, Naru showed them to the only extra room in the small house and they took their leave.
Late that night, Rose joined them. Before she allowed them to speak, she handed them a note explaining the situation. She also said she would drive them to the prince in two days and attempt to find out if her hunch about the enemy was right. Then, when she could, she would reveal herself. When they were done reading, Rose took the note and borrowed the power of Mars to set it afire and then the power of Neptune to douse it.
There was understanding.
*******
There's chapter two! And don't worry, I'm on a roll, so soon, Chapter Three should come! Thanks for reading!
-Moon Pie
-------------------
Endymion stood at his balcony, gazing out over his kingdom. His thoughts wandered, as they often did, to the mysterious maiden Serenity he had met in his garden. He was worried about her. A battle had occurred on the moon and rumor had it that the princess was missing.
As if on cue, he heard the bell ring from the gate. He rushed to the door, thinking the princess may have come here for refuge. But when he opened it, he was startled to find the Queen of the Moon and four beautiful women standing at the door. The princess's court, he remembered vaguely.
One of them spoke. He believed it to be Mars. "Has the princess been here?" she asked quickly.
"No, my lady, she hasn't. We have been waiting to see if she would flee here, but we haven't heard of her. Please come in. You shall stay the night."
He quickly sent his generals to escort them each to a room. He also sent his parents to the Queen's quarters, and arranged a dinner meeting as well. Then, he returned to his daydreaming, anxiously awaiting dinner.
************
Rose woke, the morning sun warming her to the new day. She rose quickly, and began preparing for the day. She had sewn herself some humble but pretty dresses and aprons, and donned a deep blue one. It was fit to where it tantalizingly alluded to her figure. She put her hair in a simple hairnet she had sewn, and tied the band around her birthmark. She also tied cloth around the hairnet as well, to hide the color, though that wasn't much danger. She didn't feel like using her powers to change the color.
When she was pleased with herself, she snuck to Naru's room. The girl was still asleep. Mischievously, she retrieved a feather from a basket. She sometimes used them when making hats. She lied down flat on the floor by the bed, and then reached up and tickled Naru's face with the feather.
The girl sniffed, and stirred some, then rolled over.
Rose grinned. She reached up again, and tickled her again. Naru grunted, and rolled again. She must have stayed up late, Rose surmised. She repeated the action one more time.
Naru sneezed violently, and then leapt from the bed, giggling. That girl sure was a morning person! Rose squealed, and ran from her roommate. They chased each other playfully, then decided to eat breakfast and begin their day.
Today happened to be market day. The two roommates had a booth they worked in the market all day. Naru sold her fresh vegetables and Rose sold her blankets and clothes. (She was secretly working on a dress she would wear when she next went to meet Endymion, which wouldn't be until she was back on the moon for a few days.) Rose had decided to lie low for a while, so the enemy would think she was dead.
After a breakfast filled with chatter, the two friends gather their items and saddle their carriage for the trip down to the market. It was busy today, a sure sign of success.
The vegetables and fruits sold quickly and Rose's name was also popular, so the decorative, warm blankets, dresses, and other clothing also sold quickly.
The day was closing and the two were beginning to gather what little was left over and preparing to leave, when they saw a man walking down the street causing lots of attention. Rose's heart raced when she saw it was the prince. She listened carefully.
"Has anyone seen any refuges from the battle on the Moon flee here?" he was asking, concern in his eyes.
He's looking for me! Rose thought. But however touched she was, she couldn't risk revealing herself so soon when surely the enemy was still on the prowl for her. And she couldn't let the Prince know who she was because the knowledge would put him in danger. This decided, she busied herself with loading their carriage.
"Pardon me, madam, but have you seen any refugees from the Moon around here?"
Rose's heart beat jumped shaking into her throat. She did not turn. "No, sire. But I assure if I see any, I will be the first to help them and then notify you."
The Prince recoiled. That voice...
"Serenity-hime?"
Rose took a deep breath and quickly used her powers to change her eyes to deep brown. Her eyes would give her away surely. Then, she turned slowly.
"Rose," she said simply, not meeting his eyes.
Endymion gazed at the young woman in front of him. She was lovely. Her hair was covered by cloth and a strip of fabric was tied around her forehead. It was a hot day, so perhaps it was something of a sweatband. Her eyes were startling familiar, but they were brown and did not meet his own. And the woman here was dressed in peasant's clothes. Even if it had been the Princess in disguise, she would never lower her eyes to an equal. He had been mistaken.
"Forgive me, madam. I thought you were someone else." Embarrassed, his eyes wandered to the things she had been loading into her carriage. His eyes caught glance of a scarf, weaved lovingly into a floral print. Red and white roses no less. "My lady, what would be the price of the scarf you hold in your hands?"
She finally looked up at him. Her eyes drew him in as only the princess's could, but he remembered her dusk-blue eyes as he looked into these of molasses.
"If Prince Endymion desires it, I would pay him to take it," she said, a small smile in her eyes as she bowed and presented it to him.
Endymion couldn't get over her voice. "Demo!" he protested, then caught the sparkle in her smile, a smile that filled her entire lovely face like another woman he knew.
"Keep it, Prince. It is a gift. The only price you need pay me is a smile on a face lined with worry."
Endymion stared at her. She was entrancing! "Rose, it was?" He smiled. "You shall see my smile many more times if you desire." Then, he leapt back onto his black stallion and galloped off.
Endymion surprised himself by the lack of guilt he felt from flirting a little. Yes, he had been interested in Serenity-hime, but he had only talked with her once. And you've only talked to Rose once too! he reminded himself. He decided that he was attracted to the peasant because she was so much like the Princess, if a bit more timid. Serenity had been hiding in his garden watching him, but when she knew she'd been caught, she did not hide or run. She launched into a conversation of avoiding royal duties, which was both endearing and amusing. And her beauty-renowned throughout the universe- was captivating though she didn't flaunt it.
For a moment, Endymion wondered again if Rose was the Princess in disguise. The princess had the power of disguise of course. He decided he wouldn't pursue that because if she had needed to lie to him, she needed to remain in disguise. He was not offended; he had sometimes done similar things. And if it was her, all the better. He decided he would return the next day and see Rose again.
Later, Rose wondered what she'd gotten herself into. She couldn't help flirting a little- she was interesting in him, after all. But would intriguing the prince as Rose ruin her chances as Serenity? It was mind- boggling. Had he guessed her identity? Although it was probably safe now, Serenity still didn't want to risk endangering the monarchs of Earth, her longtime friends and allies, or the people of Earth. In fact, her gut feeling was that someone from the enemy was very close and that she should stay low and wary. She had learned to trust her gut, too.
"Rose!"
She snapped out of it.
"The Prince was just talking to you! How exciting!" Naru's eyes sparkled mischievously.
Rose smiled. "Oh, he just wanted to by a scarf, probably for his intended."
"No, no. You are new here; you haven't heard. Rumor has it the Prince is fascinated with that Moon Princess that disappeared not long ago. He's probably looking for her! And also, the Sailor Senshi are looking as well; they're staying at the Prince's palace."
Rose pondered as she settled into the carriage and snapped the reins gently. It was valuable information. Should she get in trouble she could go there. She presumed her mother was there as well, trying to avoid the publicity.
When the two women reached their home, they found a couple waiting for them. "Can I help you?" Naru asked, puzzled.
The woman had curly black hair in a strange hairstyle and wore a yellow and black dress. The man had bleach blonde hair, practically white, and he was dressed in white shirt and pants with a golden cape. Both had the mark of the moon on their forehead. Rose was intrigued. Looking closer, she saw that the woman leaned heavily on the man, using her free arm to clutch her side.
"You are hurt," Rose said. Then, with a flash, she recognized them. Luna and Artemis, her mother's advisors! They were disguised as humans as they were better known as the talking cats that counseled the queen. They must have recognized her in the market or something. She stepped from the carriage and when she drew closer, she winked at them.
"Please come inside," Naru said. "You must have escaped the battle on the moon."
"Yes," Artemis said grimly. He hadn't caught Rose's wink, though Luna had; she was too weak to speak though as she kept losing blood.
"Yes," Rose continued. "I know a bit of healing myself." At Naru's surprised glance, she supplied, "It runs in my family." Luna smiled.
"Lie here, my friend," Rose said, directing her mentor to her own bed. Luna gratefully accepted, wincing as her side was jarred. Rose looked around, making sure the windows were clear. Then, she held her hands just above Luna's wound; they glowed white for a moment. Then, the white glow spread to Luna's wound. When it faded, the wound was gone. Artemis recognized the power immediately, but as he began to speak, Luna silenced him with a glare. Rose sagged in her chair, tiredly.
"Arigato, my friend." Luna said significantly. "What do you call yourself?"
"Rose," was the firm answer, "and this is my good friend, Naru-chan."
Artemis sighed. Most obviously, the princess was still in hiding. He and Luna shared a significant glance.
"Please," Naru proposed. "You must stay with us until we can alert the Prince of your presence. He is searching for Lunarian refugees and we promised to notify him of the presence of any."
Artemis nodded. "Thank you very much. For healing my wife, my ladies, and for offering us your home." With this, Naru showed them to the only extra room in the small house and they took their leave.
Late that night, Rose joined them. Before she allowed them to speak, she handed them a note explaining the situation. She also said she would drive them to the prince in two days and attempt to find out if her hunch about the enemy was right. Then, when she could, she would reveal herself. When they were done reading, Rose took the note and borrowed the power of Mars to set it afire and then the power of Neptune to douse it.
There was understanding.
*******
There's chapter two! And don't worry, I'm on a roll, so soon, Chapter Three should come! Thanks for reading!
-Moon Pie