Chapter 4

"Are you okay? You look upset" Endymion looked up at the tall blond standing beside him, "did your father and you get into another argument again?"

Endymion sighed as he moved over allowing his general to take a seat. "It's this whole alliance dealing with the moon" he ran his fingers through his dark hair. "We are the only planet not apart this alliance."

"You know that your father would never bow down to another, especially a woman" Jadeite looked to his prince "It's strange to think about it though," Endymion looked to his guard confused, "I mean one woman controlling the whole universe…all that is, but us…"

Endymion shrugged, "Her family must be doing something right, to rule over every planet for centuries with no complaints." He blue eyes watched as the clouds passed by "I only wish father would listen to reason."

Jadeite shrugs leaning back on his elbows. "Why waste your time Endymion, there is nothing you can do but wait, wait until you become King" he laughed a bit, "who knows maybe you could sweep that princess of theirs off her little royal feet, then you my dear prince would rule the whole galaxy"

The prince rolled his eyes; "I marry the moon princess?" he could not help but laugh at the thought. "Not only is that forbidden, it is unrealistic"

"I hear she's a sight to see, as beautiful as the rising sun…and as pure as the purest diamond. They say her eyes are like blue crystals."

"and her skin is as white as snow" Endymion nodded "I've been told Jadeite. There is no use dreaming of moon princesses when we will never be fortunate to step foot on the glowing silver planet."

"Well, you never know Endy. Destiny has a way of surprising you at times. Sometimes Destiny can play some pretty cruel games."

Endymion laughed "A cruel game would be a marriage to Beryl," Jadeite cringed "That is a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy my prince" the blond laughed as Endymion cringed at the nickname.

Standing Endymion held out his hand to help his friend and general up. As the two made their way to the palace, a young voice called them from the side. "My Prince!"

Rolling his eyes, Endymion looked to his general "speaking of the devil…"

Jadeite placed a supporting hand on his friend's shoulder, "You know she's been in love with you since we were children."

"Father believes she would make a fine bride…thankfully mother has more common since then father"

Running up to the two men, the red head smiled up at the prince, "I'm so happy I found you my prince"

"Good Afternoon Beryl." The red head placed her arms around Endymion. Holding him closely, pushing his arm into her beast.

"Good Afternoon Beryl" Jadeite smiled, however the red head rolled her eyes in annoyance. "That's Lady Beryl to you!"

Laughing the general shook his head "When I see a lady I'll address her as such"

"Why you arrogant-"

Endymion pushed the red head away from the blond. "That's enough you two."

On the Moon:

"Can you meet me here, after your meeting with the Queen?" he whispered

Serenity smiled excitedly as she handed the reins of her horse to the boy in front of her, with a blush she nodded "okay"

The boy lifted her hand kissing it gently "princess"

******

Walking into the palace she walked into the conference room where her parents stood. She noticed her father looking nervous and mother heated "A Stable boy?!"

"I see you have me being watched again," the princess whispered glaring at her mother.

"Serenity" Apollo hissed glaring at his wife "We agreed to address this calmly"

"There is nothing calm about a princess fraternizing with a stable boy!"

Apollo sighed, "Honestly love, calm yourself. There is no need to over react"

"No! She knows better! This is not how a princess should act"

Serenity, the princess, glared at her mother "and tell me mother how should a princess act?!"

"Do not take that tone with me!" she stomped her feet, "A stable boy? What are you thinking Serenity?!" the Queen yelled

"I like him mother, he's sweet and kind." The Princess could see that her mother was not listening to a word she said. "You lock me in this castle never allowing me to experience life. I can't even walk out into the palace gardens without a guard"

"You enjoyed the company of that young man, he made you feel special? Am I right moon beam?" The King smiled down at his daughter

"Yes papa, everyone is so careful around me…all because I'm the crown princess…but with Andrew…with him I just feel…normal" she smiled up at her father, "Today I rode Leo like a man, and fast father, so very fast!" her eyes shimmered with excitement at the memory "and he never said a word about it, in fact he joined me. We raced through the silver forest"

The Queen ran her hands through her hair in frustration "You are not normal Serenity you're a princess, and as such you have responsibilities."

"Well maybe I don't want to be a princess mother!" she yelled stomping her foot in protest "I refuse to let you decide who can be in my life and who cannot!"

"As your mother and Queen you will do as I say, and you will stop seeing this stable boy"

"No" Serenity hissed standing as tall as she could, her chin held high.

Apollo shook his head "Let us all calm down, I am sure there is an answer to this. Yelling at one another will not solve the problem."

Ignoring her husband Serenity yelled out "Luna!" the black cat walked into the room "yes your majesty?"

Her angry blue eye stayed on her daughter. "Send the Stable boy to Saturn."

"Mother no!" The princess cried her eyes wide "Please! He's working to support his family; you can't do this to him!"

The Queen turned to the confused cat "send his family with him"

"Father please do something!" the princes begged tears falling "Please"

"Your father has no say in this Serenity, this is my planet, and there for my rule is law! Or have you forgotten my child that only woman can rule the Moon?"

Apollo glared at his wife. As his daughter shook her head rapidly as Luna left the room, a sad look on her face. "Mother I care for him please don't send him away…" the princess fell to her knees in front of her mother. "Please mother I really like him mother please, I-I'll never see him again mother please!"

It was then that the Queen slapped her daughter, causing Apollo to step in front of his child, "that is enough Serenity you have said your peace and have done your worse now leave her be!"

The Queen shook her head eyes narrowed "I could have done much worse." With that, the Queen left the room.

Knelling down in front of his sobbing child, Apollo rubbed his daughters back as he kissed the top of her golden head "Moon beam I want you to listen to me love" the young princess look up at her father her blue eyes filled with tears "no matter what, always always follow your heart, love who you want... Never allow this life to dictate who your heart should go too"

"That will never happen as long as mother has say in who I can and cannot associate with." Serenity held on to her father "how could she be so cruel?!" Serenity shook her head pulling away from her father anger filling her. "How could you possibly love someone so hateful?"

"Your mother never use to be this way Serenity love. Circumstances have made her who she is now"

"What could have possibly made her act this way?!"

Apollo frowned "I'm sorry love but I am unable to say at the moment, nonetheless I promise I will be talking with your mother shortly." It was then that the doors to the throne room opened reveling two outer senshi.

"Uranus!" Serenity cried running into the golden and cobalt clad senshi's open arms "Will you take me to my room?"

"Of course Kitten" the older girl bowed to her king as she turned and exited the throne room with the young princess.

"I take it the princess's encounter with the stable boy did not go as planned?"

The king sighed as he stood "I'm afraid my wife has truly gone too far Neptune."

"Do you truthfully think it wise to continue keeping the truth from the princess, if she knew the truth she might understand…"

Apollo shook his head "knowing my daughter it will only make her more determined to prove the fates wrong…I'm afraid she is as stubborn and hard headed as her mother."

"Yes, I've noticed majesty" Neptune shook her head as she turned to the door

"Neptune" she stopped "please tell Saturn to treat this boy and his family kindly, make it so he and his own are taken care of. If its money they will need please tell the King and Queen to send a massager, my way, and I will take care of everything. The boy need not suffer."

"I thought you would say such a thing Majesty. Seeing that Saturn is rather cold, I took it upon myself to send a letter to her majesty Queen Gaia, she was more than happy to allow the boy and his family safe passage to live on her planet." The water senshi smiled "It's easier for Lunardians to adjust to the atmosphere of Earth than the taciturnity of Saturn."

"Thank you Neptune. I wish this didn't happen, Andrew was a great stable boy and a find young man…I do believe he would have been a good match for Serenity."

EARTH:

"Did you hear; we have a new stable boy?" Beryl announced as she walked around the growing rose bushes. "We?" the prince questioned raising an eyebrow.

The red head blushed "I mean you…you have a new stable boy…my prince"

"How is it that you know of my new stable boy beryl?" he leaned back on his knees away from the roses.

Beryl shrugged "I make it my business my prince"

Standing Endymion dusted his hands on his pants. "I think I will meet this new boy" Beryl nodded running after the prince. Walking quicker than normal, as he made it up to the large white and red stables, Endymion eyes searched for the new stable hand.

"Prince Endymion" turning quickly the prince of earth came face to face with the Senshi of Neptune.

Beryl glared at the turquoise colored woman. "Is it not against the alliance for you to be here?!" Pushing the red head a side, Prince Endymion turned his eyes to the annoying teen "Know your place Beryl. This has nothing to do with you." He turned back to the smirking Senshi.

"It is an honor to meet you Sailor Neptune."

Nodding, Neptune looked to the Stables "nice to meet you as well Prince."

"What brings you here? I assume my mother knows of your presence?"

"King Apollo has contacted your mother. The Queen has sent Andrew and his family to become part of your stable hands." Endymion looked to the senshi strangely "Money is not an issue the King has sent him with enough money to ensure they are well off."

Beryl made a face "Why would we want a dirty luanrdian to care for our horses?!"

"This will be your last warning, hold your tongue or leave!" Beryl backed away, her eyes to the ground. "Is he in trouble with the Queen?"

"You could say that" Neptune walked out of the stables looking to the trees.

"What is his crime?" Endymion asked curiously

Neptune sighed "He fell in love"

"Love?" Endymion shook his head "How is that a crime?"

"To love a woman of higher nobility, it would have meant nothing to the Queen but to fall in love with the crown princess…"

Endymion stared shocked "He fell in love with Princess Serenity?"

"It wasn't love exactly" the three turned to the blond who stepped out from behind Endymion large horse. "I've known Serena since we were just children. I've cared for her horse…it was only recently that we started to see one another as more than just child hood friends." Endymion nodded "The Queen found out, threw one of her many spies and banished me to Saturn. However, thanks to his Majesty the King and your mother's kindness, I have been granted a life here on Earth with my family."

Neptune nodded "This is Andrew"

Stepping out the blond extended his hand, smiling Endymion took it. "It is a pleasure to meet you your highness."

"I am sorry for what has happened to you Andrew, but I do not allow just anyone to look after my horse…"

"With all due respect Prince, from the looks of it whoever you've had looking after your horse, has done a horrific job" Endymion took a step back his eyes wide, "I mean if you truly cared for the animal…like you act as if you do, then why is it that he isn't cared for properly?"

Beryl took a step forward only to be stopped by both Neptune and the prince. "and you would know?" Endymion asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"I've been taking care of the Royal families horses for years' highness, I've also watched over all eight of the Sailor Senshi's horses." He pointed to the stable "Though this stable looks well made and very expensive. There's no room for your horse to move about. If he needs to lay down, he is unable to do so, due to the walls. Also your ceiling is to low, have you not notice his head ducking…Let's not get me started on the feed or horse shoes…"

Endymion laughed "I like you Andrew. It's not every day I run into a man who is willing to speak his mind." He turned to Neptune and smiled "Please assure your King and Princess that her dear Andrew will be well taken care of. I give you my word." He turned and smiled at Andrew "I believe this is a start of a magnificent friendship"