First Year
Neo Queen Serenity would never forget her first year upon the Earth. Every morning she was up before the dawn to see her beloved Moon wane from the sky. Then watch the sky fire ascended into the heavens. She then slide down the banister and frolic in the sea of flowers and pick fresh ones to put in her room. She loved visiting the palace's arboretum as well as singing and feeding the wild and exotic birds that it housed.
Despite the fact that Endymion was a polar bear for the majority of the day, they did take pleasure in having delicious meals together. They would sit outside in the warm sunlight and watch the swans glide on the lake, while enjoying the many luscious cooking that the palace cook came up with. From time to time whilst they ate the palace choir would sing and play enchanting melodies for them. It made these moments especially memorable.
All the same, Neo Queen Serenity, was still saddened by the fact the only time her husband was human was midnight. Still she tried hard to endure it. She kept herself from showing her expression of grief in many ways. One way was by taking long walks in the forest, and having fun with the children that lived in the Golden Kingdom. She also tried to take part in scores of activities to try to lessen the pain and heartbreak she felt. And at what time that became too much for her to bear, she would every now and then go riding on her husband's back.
King Endymion also felt the same unhappiness along with heartbreak his wife felt. It was just as the impious witch Beryl wanted. To cause them great anguish in addition to pain, by making in no doubt, that her enchantment over the King made it extraordinarily difficult for them to be together. It was heart-wrenching that they couldn't even touch each other, except in the dark, and that they couldn't even kiss, which risked exposing King Endymion's face.
At the moment Neo Queen Serenity was sitting by the lake doing needlepoint. She was attempting to do two red roses intertwined around the moon. But for the most part she was just pricking her fingers.
"Oww!" as she pricked herself for the twentieth time. Her project was now stained with her blood. She looked at it with tears in her eyes and then flung the whole thing into the lake. The swans scattered as the embroidery skimmed across the lake at last hitting a frog on a rock and sunk down in the crystal blue waters. She then broke down in tears and fell to the green grass sobbing.
Beryl watched from the shadows with a cruel smile etched on her pale features. She knew that this obtuse fair-haired child was in deep anguish. It hurt to know her husband couldn't come over and hug her. Nor could he wipe the tears from her blue eyes.
"Silly little girl," cackled the scarlet haired witch with glee, "You won't get me down. You shall by no means be able to endure the seven years of the hex. You will lose and then Endymion will be all mine!" and then the perfect spring day was ruined by a huge thunderstorm.
Neo Queen Serenity screamed with terror as the blissful day vanished. The sound of thunder had laced within her a great fear. She dashed as fast as she could back to the marble palace. On the other hand Beryl wasn't through. She had the vegetation do violence to the youthful sovereign and she only just made it back home. By the time she had made it back to the palace her beautiful white gown was in tatters with blood and sludge staining it.
"Are you alright, Neo Queen Serenity?" asked a juvenile redhead in a white dress to the queen, as she helped dry her off. Her misty blue eyes seem glazed over with fear and woe. After undoing the queen's odangos she then pulled on a rope and a bell rang. And in next to no time they're joined by more girls who came to give support to the queen.
Neo Queen Serenity smiled warmly at the young girls. They were so charismatic and compassionate. It made her miss her home on the Moon a little less. The redhead handed her a fresh pink towel and she began to wrap it around her lengthy golden mane. "I'm okay, Eva. Thanks for asking" she then turned to the casement and concern began to etch its way across her attractive but filthy features, "Oh I hope Endymion is out of harm's way. He's been gone for three days on that diplomatic mission to the neighboring kingdom of Amethyst. It must be incredibly hard for him to make such a journey, and know that the Duchess Katrina is terribly frightened by large animals."
"Yes that is true, my Queen. Ever since that unpleasant incident with the gypsy's animals… well she never has gotten over that fear. Still as King it's Endymion's duties to preserve the peace between each and every one the regions of the Earth. We may be the capital, nevertheless, my beautiful Queen, not a soul can govern a whole planet devoid of assistance. Furthermore, dear, Neo Queen Serenity, more to the point we needed to negotiate a treaty if we are to open trade with Amethyst and the other countries."
"I know that, Eva. We've a bountiful quantity of fruit and the craftsmen's make such delightful treasures. We ought to extend this abundant harvest with the rest of the Earth. Mother always believed it was important to share. Moreover, my dear, sweet, Eva, with the recent devastations from the plagues that have spread to the other territories, it is more important then ever to share with others."
"You got that right, my Queen. It Beryl's doing that much is for sure. That bitch loves to make others experience nothing but pain and anguish. You see how she ruined a beautiful spring day by making a torrent of nightmares. She is unmistakably trying to make sure we cannot do this trade. Lucky for us we've already set up tents and other safety precautions for just such an occasion. You should go and get some sleep, dear Queen. You look like a nice hot soak and rest is what you need."
"But, Eva, how can I slumber whilst the citizens of our sovereignty are suffering? I have got to be of assistance to them in anyway I can. You cannot expect me to not to help. The Earth has been sp good to me these past few months. And I feel obligated to return the favor. Besides I need word of my husband. He due back in a few days and I won't allow him or any of our people to get hurt. So what do we do first?"
Seeing that this was a losing battle the young girl simply nodded and led the Queen out to the greenhouses. Neo Queen Serenity spent the next few days busy as a bee. It was an amazing sight to behold as the ravishing queen helped as many as people as she could. Whether it was teaching children to read or watering the flowers she did her best. Despite the torment of the wicked Beryl she did what she could to help out her adoptive home.
King Endymion was having his own set of problems. It wasn't easy to endure the heat in the Amethyst region. It was for ever and a day hot here for it was like an eternal summer day in this place. That and how Duchess Katrina had a hard time not trying to slaughter him. Just because a juggling bear had accidentally fallen on her when she was a child, she was scared to death of him. Still he had a job to do. And he'd like to make it back home to his darling Serenity. He was worried about what evil Beryl might be unleashing upon his homeland.
"So is it settle, Duchess Katrina? We shall provide you with fruit and earthenware, and in return you send us silk and spices. We shall establish this trade transaction next week."
"Yes, King Endymion. It's a deal," Katrina replied as she flicked a stray strand of black hair out of her heart shaped face. She was still trying to not look upon the bear. Still she had to. Therefore she promptly adjusted the pink and lavender diadem on top of her head and gazed at the fearsome creature. "On the other hand, dear King Endymion, I do anticipate more then just provisions as well as ceramic objects. The witch Beryl has sent us the plague of hellfire. It has destroyed quite a lot of of our most significant cultural icons. If we are to begin this trade system I would like it if you could send us some of your craftsmen to help restore our kingdom to its full glory. I would like this very much and to have it completed before wintry weather set in."
"My, beloved, Duchess Katrina," sighed the great white bear tiredly, "I've already sending many of my inhabitants left and right, to be of assistance in restoring and aid individuals that the sorceress has inflected her sinister magic upon. Though, we are being spread far and thin I shall request that some people will come to aid your kingdom."
"Thank you, King Endymion. You must feel exhausted from all this wheeling and dealing. Not to mention all you've to put up with from both this undertaking, and that iniquitous witch. I'll have a hot bath and some food brought up to your chamber. You can take it easy prior to going home to Elysion," Duchess Katrina said as she clapped her hands. She then looked out the palace window and sighed. "It looks like spring is ending early this year, and the way the weather conditions have been, we possibly will fail to see summer. I've never seen the weather like this."
"It's Beryl's doing, my lovely Katrina," spat the King angrily as they left the conference hall. As she lead him up the winding golden staircase he continued, "She likes to give me nothing, but stress and pain. She is trying to break my spirit and cause as much pain and suffering as she can. But we shall not fall. I swear I shall endure it, for my kingdom, my people, the Earth, and my attractive wife."
"You are very brave, King Endymion. Still I believe you shall be tested in many ways. You don't know the extent of Beryl's magic. This may be only the beginning of seven years of great suffering. I'm not sure any person can endure that much pain for seven years. Still I hope you can do it, for all of our sakes."
By the time King Endymion made it home Beryl's curse over the climate had worsen so much that Katrina had been right. Beryl had made the delightful summer die out as she forced them into an early autumn. He cried huge tears for summer had always been his favorite time of the year. It held many happy memories for him and his parents.
As he climbed up the alabaster steps he saw his wife waiting for him. She had with her a beautiful wreath of summer flowers. "Hello, Endymion. I hope you are alright. I made this for you. Seeing how we been cheated out of summer I thought I save one tiny piece of it."
He smiled wide at the special gift as she placed the wreath upon his head. She sighed and kissed his forehead. "I'm so sorry that Beryl been doing all this havoc. It must not have been easy for you to be away for so long. But I've done my best to help our people."
"It pains me so, Serenity, when we are apart, but being with you always makes my weary heart soar with passion. So shall we go in before we catch cold?"
That night it was different. In view of the fact that it was a moonless sky they did not have to worry about seeing Endymion's face. Though the storm outside threatened to smash the stain glass window in Neo Queen Serenity's room. The Queen sat on the windowsill with a look of concern etched upon her delicate features. She was consumed body and soul with worry. If this witch Beryl could cause the summer to vanish and devastate the regions of the world with afflictions what more could she do? Would she even make an effort to attack the Moon? She shuddered at the thought. She was so immersed with her woes that she didn't hear her husband come in.
"Serenity?" he called softly to her.
"Oh, Endymion! You are alright!" she cried as she flung herself into his waiting arms. She hugged him tightly as tears streamed down her face. "Is everything okay? I've heard thorough the grapevine that things aren't at the best. Just look outside and we can see that for ourselves."
He took her hand and kissed it. Then he ran his fingers through her golden hair. He let out a great sigh and replied. "Well our people may be spread far and thin across the world, but I won't let Beryl have her ya-yas from causing pain and suffering. We shall beat this and the world will be liberated."
"You don't sound as sure as you trying to sound. Tell me my love. Are you okay? Let me help you," she begged and then to her surprise for the first time she felt his breath on her lips as he kissed her. She took pleasure in having her first kiss as she wanted it to last forever. But all too soon it ended.
"Does that clear up any of your doubts?" he asked as he started to undo her odangos.
"It does some, my love. We have been through many trials these past few months. Let us for this one night make the pain go away, shall we?"
"My thoughts exactly," replied the husky voice of her lover. In next to no time they fell down on the Queen's bed and soon became intertwined in a moment of pure love and fun. It was a good thing that there was no moon in the sky that night or the wicked Beryl would've been in more of a fury then she already was.