Title: Clinging to hope
Author: Ree
Theme: Family -wedding
Genre: General
Version: Silver Millennium - Fates/Sihde storyline
Rating: G

Most of these characters belong to Takeuchi Naoko. The ones that don't are my creations.

Clinging to hope

Selenity marveled at the chemise that she was going to wear today. 'It looks like some one sewed a beam of moonlight. I can't believe how light the material is.' Her eyes took in the ruches at the neckline and the wrists. The folds were even and, a small rose design was embroidered into them. 'It would be a shame to cover it with an overdress, except the overdress is gorgeous as well.'

She brushed her fingers down the soft green velvet. The front of the skirt was opened up to the waist so that part of the chemise would show. Along the opening was a border of intertwined silver roses that matched the embroidery on the chemise. The sleeves were also slit all the way to the shoulder, and they were lined with whatever fabric made the chemise. Each sleeve had three small silver rose buttons that held it closed to the elbow, but it fell free from the elbow to the wrist.

The door to her room opened, and four maids came in to help her prepare for one of the biggest days of her life, her wedding day. After a lavender scented bath, the maids helped her into the chemise and dress. Sinking on to a stool, Selenity sat still as they arranged her hair. Though she couldn't see what they were doing, she could tell that they were plaiting it up towards the crown of her head. Then they made two small buns on either side of her head, and let the rest of her hair cascade down from the buns. One of the maids held a tray if small ornamental hair combs. The maids arranging Selenity's hair selected the ones made of pure silver that also had roses to match the embroidery on her dress. After sliding them into place, they pronounced Selenity ready.

Slipping her feet into a pair of light slippers, Selenity stood up and was immediately attacked by maids fluffing her dress. She shooed the maids out of the room after her dress had been fluffed until she was sure the light velvet could never be crushed again.

Pacing the breadth of the room nervously, Selenity fussed with the front of her wedding dress, smoothing the already smooth fabric. 'I can't seem too happy, that will make the dissenters sure that the Sihde were up to something. But, at the same time, I can't seem sad or upset because , besides making the Sihde think the Milesians were up to something, it would hurt Bren's feelings.'

Selenity turned quickly around when the door opened, and in a slightly breathless voice, she asked. "Is it time?"

Queen Meagan felt relieved as she took in the happy glow that surrounded her daughter. She had watched carefully as her daughter and the Milesian prince had gotten to know each other. What she had seen then had given her hope, but it was the contained joy that she saw in Selenity that let her go through with this wedding. Stepping into the room she shut the door behind her. "Not yet. I came to make sure that you were alright, and I can see I was worrying over nothing." Her eyes softened as she looked Selenity straight in the eye. "You care for him, right?"

Selenity could see the worry that was eating at her mother's soul. Resting a hand on her mother's arm, she let her feelings shine through. "I do. I love him, Mother. I would marry him even if we were still at war, if both sides were lined against it, if he asked me to."

Meagan pulled Selenity into a light embrace. "I hope that your marriage is as happy as mine and your grandmother's."

Both of them knew that it was a slim chance, but they both clung to the hope.