AN: Thanks to everyone who has been leaving reviews. I am forever in your debt. However, if you go to read a chapter and it's not there, it's not me. It's the site. I too was having that problem when checking on my writing, so just give it time and all chapters should appear.

Also, I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile, but I have been going through some things at my house that needed my attention, so I haven't been all that focused. Things should be getting back to normal now, so I'll start writing more often.

Again, all reviews are welcome, wither they be good, bad, or a simple hello, nice story kind of review. I love hearing from my fans!

Earth & Moon: A Forbidden Romance

Chapter Five

If you crossed the eastern woods, heading north from the palace, and followed the long narrow path that lay south of the river, you would find a cave. The opening wasn't very big, there being only enough room for one person at a time to enter, but once inside it was huge. The cave itself was cold, damp, and smelled of decay; while the walls were covered in moss and mildew, and as you traveled further back into the opening, the light dimmed, making it hard to see. It was here where the woman waited.

Her long raven hair flowed behind her, to her feet and beyond. Eyes as blue as the waters shimmered in the only light, a single candle. She wore a dress of black, the bodice hanging on only by a thread around her deep shoulders, the hem reaching all the way to her feet. She wore no shoes, her bare toes curling in the dirt.

Above her was a small opening in the rooftop of the cave. Moonlight streamed through it like holy water, and once the moon hang full in the night sky, she held out her arms at full length, and commanded, "Circle, light!"

Flames of red rose around her.

Beryl stood at the entrance, her arms loaded down with things, watching as the woman stepped through the flames, unharmed. She knew that once she stepped inside the cave, it would feel as if her whole body was being weighed down my some unseen force, it was going to be hard to breathe, and as such she didn't want to go inside just yet. However she knew that it would be well worth it if it brought her closer to her dreams, and to Prince Endymion.

Without even moving her dark head, the woman called out to her. "You may enter, Beryl." She had felt her standing there, just inside the cave. The woman knew that Beryl's mind was slowly fading, not with time or age, but with madness; and it was more the reason why she could control her so easily. But there was times when she wondered if maybe she shouldn't have found someone else to do her bidding.

Walking slowly into the cave, Beryl was overcome with sickness, her stomach feeling as if she were about to vomit, her head aching with pain. Nevertheless, she held her ground and stepped further into the cave. Coming to a stop a short distance from the other woman, she stood in awe at her. In the months since Beryl had known her, the woman had never looked like she did now. Her long hair seemed to glow, her skin was darker, and her eyes….her eyes shinned with power. Beryl could feel the energy coming off her.

"Did you gather the ingredients I ask of you?" she asked, holding out her hand.

Beryl placed a burlap sack in her outstretched hand, bowing her head a little. "Yes, mistress," she said. Not knowing what her mistress needed such ingredients as snake skin and lizard's toe for, it had taken Beryl days to find everything she'd desired.

"Did you do as you were told, and visited with the princess?"

"Yes, however the goddess had appeared before I. They know, Metallia, the gods know of your plan. They seek to stop you," Beryl replied. Turning her head to focus her eyes on Metallia, her gaze landed on something. However, before she could ask what it was her attention had been drawn to, she heard Metallia laugh. "Mistress?"

"Foolish girl! The gods do not seek to stop me, they encourage me! They do not understand the power I hold, nor do they understand what I will do once gaining what is rightfully mine," Metallia laughed. She walked over to the four items that had caught Beryl's attention. Picking them up, she held them out in her palm. "See these? These are the four stones in which Endymion's guardians are named after. They shall help with my plan."

"But how?" Beryl asked, concern entering into her eyes. "They are loyal to Endymion, and he only."

Metallia looked at her, her gaze intimidating. Her eyes were blue as ice and just as cold, and placing her other hand onto Beryl's shoulder, said, "You shall see. And soon everything your heart desires shall be yours."

Days later, Endymion showed Serenity the gardens of Earth. It had been almost four weeks since she'd come to the planet, they both knew that it would be only 5 days until she would be leaving for the moon. He wanted every moment to count. However, that wasn't working like he'd had hoped. They were distanced towards each other, neither one speaking of their stolen kiss or of their nighttime visitors, although Serenity had more to say about hers than Endymion did. But she never did, and just continued on thinking the girl she'd seen was indeed insane.

Dr. Chikao had seen to her ankle, removing the wrap and stitches; explaining that she could walk now, she just needed to use a cane and not to overextend herself. Endymion helped her the best he could, and they kept her identity safe from all others. Besides all the silence between them when alone, they got along for the better part. His guardians were always there, making her laugh or helping her when she needed help.

In the end, Serenity had done what she had set out to do when arriving on Earth.

As they walked around the gardens, Endymion held her arm, speaking to her. "How do you like Earth, princess?"

Serenity, getting tired from trying to walk, motioned to be taken to a nearby bench where she sat down, her ankle becoming swollen from all the movement. Rubbing her ankle, she replied, "I just love it here! The ocean breeze and salty sea air will be sorely missed, but I do have to admit that I am getting a little homesick. I will be glad when it comes time for me to return home."

"Oh'," was his response.

Serenity turned her head, her sapphire eyes studying him. "Please, do not misunderstand, Endymion. I love being here, I love spending time with you and your guardians. You have made me feel at home, and your presence will be sadly missed. I am glad that we were able to become such good friends," I wish we were something more. "I shall miss the time we have spent together, but my home is on the moon."

"I see."

"Shall you miss me once I am gone?"

More than I can share. "You must miss your mother and guardians," he replied not answering her question. I wish I could tell you how I really felt.

Is there something you aren't telling me, Endymion? "Of course I miss Mama and my friends. Although I haven't been missing Kasei all that much, she can tend to be a little rude at times. She's always yelling at me," Serenity said laughing. "But I've enjoyed my stay here, just as I've enjoyed your company. I shall never forget my time here, nor you. Thank you, Endymion."

"You are welcome, and I've enjoyed your company as well, princess."

She shifted so she could set her gaze upon him. He looked sad and depressed. "Besides, I can always come back and see you, Endymion. I have my ring, and as it is, aren't you coming to the party?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the entire world."

"Good. Then it's settled. I can use my ring to come see you whenever I like, and we shall see each other at the party. See, things are working out," Serenity said. Still staring up at him, she felt as if her whole world was coming apart at the seams. Her heart was breaking, both knowing she was lying as she spoke. She couldn't come back, even if she wanted to. Her mother would never allow such a thing, not after what happened this time. Dimly, Serenity wondered if she would even be allowed to do her one week.

Endymion knew she was staring up at him, but it didn't bother him. He just continued to focus on the sun as it began its descend into the horizon. Serenity had taken to leaving her hood off her head whenever she was with him, so her silver hair flowed free in the light breeze, catching the light coming from the sun, the hair looked like it had dozen of different colors leaking out. Not realizing what he was doing, Endymion starting playing with a lock of her hair.

She felt the tug, glanced down, and saw his fingers interlocking with her hair. Serenity felt her heart speed up as his fingers danced upon the silver strands, making her feel lightheaded. Shifting on the bench, she laid her head upon his shoulder and closed her eyes. She felt safe with Endymion, as if nothing horrible or bad could happen to her, and for the life of her she couldn't explain it. It wasn't as if I'd plan to fall in love with him, she said silently. She'd seen the way his guardians would stare at her, thinking she couldn't see. It was as if they were waiting for something to happen, anything at all. Nothing bad can come from falling in love, they're just being paranoid is all. However, Selene's words came flooding back to her 'Trust in Endymion, he needs you…' Turning her head, she looked up at him; her gaze landing on his strong chin. "Endymion, how do you feel about me?" she asked quietly.

He tensed, she could feel it in his shoulders. His fingers stopped playing among her hair, coming to rest on the benches cold, hard stone. Endymion moved his cobalt eyes from the sun setting to the top of Serenity's silver head, the light making the colors in her hair dance. "W-why do you ask?"

However, before she could answer him, a female voice rang out across the garden yard. She called out his name, making Endymion turn. And when he saw who was walking towards them, he grimaced.

A woman walked down the path way, her long silver and red gown flowing behind her. It fitted to her body, making her seem skinner than she was; however when the bodice reached her waist, the skirt of the gown proofed out, making a display of silver and red around her body shine. She wore her raven hair up, curls dancing on top of her head, while strands of black circled her jaw. Eyes the color of amber, golden and bright, stared out from underneath long lashes, however there seemed to be a sadness in them as well.

"Endymion?" Serenity asked watching as he stood. "Who is she?"

She is suppose to be in bed, resting, he thought. Taking his eyes off of the woman who approached them, he simply smiled down at Serenity. "Well, I've been meaning for you to met my family," he answered. "She's my mother."

Serenity's eyes went wide, a hand coming up to cover her mouth as a small gasp escaped from it. "Your mother?" she questioned quietly. Glancing to the frame coming upon them, she noticed something not quite right about the queen. "Endymion, what is wrong with her? Her skin is very pale, and her eyes… they seem glassy to me."

Endymion sighed. "She is ill, and as such shouldn't be out. She should be in her room, resting," he said. He didn't want to tell her the truth, that his mother was dying. She was so beautiful, Serenity didn't need to know the ugly truth about death, not yet anyways.

It took all of her strength to go outside to the gardens, just for this one day. She couldn't see the point in sitting indoors, not on a gorgeous day such as this, and so she'd gotten dressed and left the palace, without anyone knowing. However, upon seeing her son, she'd felt the desire to visit with him.

It had been several millennia since she'd married the night king, Ouranus, giving birth to the Titans who overtook Earth and made it there own. Zeus, her grandson, had seen to their destruction; locking them away deep below the Earth's surface. Ouranus, with her help, took back his kingdom; and as such gave her one last child, he who stood in front of her now. Zeus had seen no threat in Endymion, leaving him to grow and learn. She felt that she'd done her best by him, teaching him all she knew and hoping for his future. However, his birth had left her body weak and frail; the illness overtaking and she knew she would not see him to grow into the fine young man he was turning out to be.

Walking up to him, she held out her pale, slender hands for him to take and kissed him on both cheeks. He had her raven hair, but his father's blue eyes; the same ones that had made her fall in love with Ouranus. Glancing down, she saw the girl sitting on the bench, the hood up and over her head, making it hard to see her face. No need, through. She already knew who it was, and as such smiled down at the child.

"Mother, what are you doing outside? The doctor has said for you to rest, not walk about as if you were well," Endymion scolded. Helping her to sit down on the bench, he looked at her face, noticing what Serenity had said earlier. "Are you alright, Mother?"

"Aye, I'm fine. Tis needed some air, is all. Its gets staled in the palace after awhile, wouldn't you say, Endymion?" his mother replied. She glanced once more over to the small girl who sat next to her. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Endymion?"

Endymion shifted his eyes between the two women, his smile slowly fading. "Sure. Uh… Mother, this is Sere," he motioned to the hooded girl. "Sere, this is my mother, Queen Gaia of Earth."

Serenity bowed her head, but she did not speak to the queen. Endymion introduced me as Sere, not as Serenity. He must be keeping my identity even from his mother. She lifted her head a bit, as to see the queen more, and was amazed to see her smiling down at her.

"She does not speak, Endymion?" Gaia asked. Her gaze left the child, watching as her son shook his head no. "Oh' has the princess of Mare Serenitatis gone mute then? I do not believe I had heard of such a thing happening." Gaia had the satisfaction of hearing Serenity gasp, her sapphire eyes going wide with shock.

She knows was all Serenity could think.

Gaia lifted her head, raven locks falling down behind her as she closed her eyes and raised her head towards the warm sun. Her body felt cold. "I have been around for many years, have had the pleasure of watching many children grow into the persons they are today, including your mother. Selene, Serenity's many great-grandmother's, was the brightest child of Hyperion and Thea, his wife. My son never had such a bright child as she. Her sister and brother, Eros and Helios, were jealous of Selene for the attention she'd receive from them," Gaia whispered into the air. She laughed softly, as if she found something only she knew of funny. "I remember the day you were born, a small child of light welcoming all she knew into her world. Your father loved your mother so much, that when you were born he named you after her. Tis was a sad day when he moved on to the underworld."

"How did you know it was me, your majesty?" Serenity asked, shock still written on her face.

Gaia just smiled into the bright sunlight. "I am older than life itself, my child. I know everything," she said her amber eyes opening to stare down at her once more. Tugging on the hood Serenity had hastily put on, Gaia smiled as the silver hair came pouring out. "You are to have your hood off when you are in my presence, my dear. You look as if you are a peasant."

Serenity laughed, the laughter reaching her eyes. "Thank you, your majesty," she said. "However, please do try to understand. My mother has told me to wear this hood at all times and to not to speak to anyone. I am just following her orders."

"I see," Gaia said. She closed her eyes once more, her breathing slowing down as she rested her head up against a cherry tree that sat behind them. She folded her hand on her lap, the sleeves of her gown covering them up.

"Mother?" Endymion leaned forward, his concern growing when her breathing slowed down. "Are you alright?"

Gaia opened amber eyes, looked into dark blue ones and felt her heart swell. He shall be king one day, his heart so full of love and compassion. "Aye, that I am. Go inside now, my dears. I would like to rest for just a bit out here in my world."

Endymion helped for Serenity to stand, both of them bowing before the queen before taking their leave. She watched them go, her heart swelling with sadness. She so wanted to see her son be married, but knew it was not to be. Leaning her head up against the tree, she closed her eyes her breathing slowing down till there was none.