"Cursed"

"Cursed"

By: LunaBell

It had been a week since Kunzite's healing, though he still wore a bandage and splint. In order to protect Serenity, the generals had decided to keep her healing powers a secret, not only from Endymion, but also from their all too curious guests.

It hadn't taken everyone very long to realize Aramaus had an unhealthy curiosity about their fair captive. He always seemed to be around her. The only time she was alone was when she remained in her chambers. Something she had begun to do a lot.

Unfortunately, the generals were unable to put there concerns to Endymion. The king had left the night of the accident, taking with him a small contingent of men. So instead, the four men kept a close eye on their charge.

Serenity peaked into the great hall. All was quiet.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she made her way to the dais to eat breakfast. Lately it seemed that every time she turned a corner that old man was there. It made her skin crawl the way he would stare at her. The questions he asked gave her a similar feeling. He seemed to be trying to pick her brain apart.

What was he after?

Pushing those thoughts aside, Serenity decided to take this slight reprieve to relax and eat. A large plate was soon sat in front of her. Just as she went to take a bite, there was a commotion at the doors. Sighing, Serenity sat down her utensils and turned to see what the commotion was all about.

Endymion was the first to enter. He didn't even seem to notice her as he made his way to his throne. The generals entered next, closely followed by Aramaus and Motoki.

"What did you think you were doing? You have never left the castle without at least two of us accompanying you." Zoicite jumped in with the first question.

Endymion ignored his men as he took his seat. It was then Serenity noticed his pets. The two dragons lay curled up on either side of the throne. Had they been there the whole time? Why hadn't she felt their presence?

Shrugging it off, she quickly turned her attention back to the ongoing argument. The Generals were still shouting, but Endymion simply sat there not saying a word. He seemed bored as he motioned to another soldier to open the doors.

That was when she heard it.

"Unhand me! You men have no right to put your hands on me! The Elders will hear of this."

Serenity gasped as she leaned forward to get a better look. It couldn't be!

"And what makes you think I care what you tell those decrepit old men?" Endymion asked in a bored tone.

"Well, I never-"

"Luna?" Serenity couldn't believe it.

Luna turned with such force she broke the soldier's grasp. She was a beautiful woman of around fifty-four, though she looked no more than thirty. Her long blue-black hair fell to her waist in curls and her amethyst eyes seemed to see strait into your soul.

"Serenity?"

It was as if time sped up. One moment Serenity was standing near the dais, and the next she was flinging herself into Luna's waiting arms.

Luna looked down at her young charge, stroking her hair in a motherly fashion. "My goddess, I thought I would never see you again! When you didn't make it to the forest I was sure I had lost you forever."

"I'm fine, Luna."

"I can see that." Luna replied with a thoughtful look.

Endymion cleared his throat. "If you two ladies are finished, I would like to have a few words with Luna in private."

"I am not going to let you-" Serenity began.

"It's fine dearest. Why don't you see about finding me a room?" Luna asked reassuringly.

"That won't be necessary. I had already decided to allow you to share Serenity's chambers."

Everyone looked stunned. Endymion was being nice. What the hell was going on here?

Luna removed herself from Serenity's embrace while approaching the throne. "I would like to get this over with so that I might settle in. As you know, it has been a most trying day."

"Jadeite will lead you to my study. I will join you shortly."

Luna nodded as she followed the shorthaired blond from the room.

Serenity rounded on Endymion as soon as her friend was out of earshot.

"Why did you bring her here?"

Endymion ignored Serenity as he got up to leave.

Furious at being ignored, she moved to follow him.

"Damn it, Endymion! I think you owe me an explanation. She has nothing to do with this."

Endymion turned at that statement. "I beg to differ, Priestess. I think she has a lot to do with all this. There are too many unanswered questions, and I believe your friend might be able to help us answer them."

"What makes you think she knows anything?"

"Let's just call it a hunch."

With those parting words, Endymion stalked from the room.

The Generals sat tense in their seats as they awaited Endymion in the main study. Though they had much to tell him, they were also worried about what he needed to tell them. The fact that he had went to collect Luna without saying anything was a blow to not only their pride as warriors, but also their bond as friends. None of them did anything without the others knowledge. Not even their king.

No one spoke as Endymion entered.

Instead of getting started, Endymion simply sat and scanned his men. It was truly grating on their already raw nerves.

Unable to take it anymore, Jadeite spoke up. "What did you need to see us about, your highness?"

"Drop the sarcasm Jadeite; I'm not in the mood. I wanted to fill you in on the information I have managed to dig up over the last week."

"What exactly have you learned?" questioned Zoicite. He could not stand being out of the loop.

Endymion leaned back as he collected his thoughts.

"I have uncovered many things these last few days. First off, when I went to collect Miss Delmaris, it seems that someone else had the idea. Though I would have to say that what they had planned for her was much worse than anything I would have done."

Kunzite leaned in and asked, "Do you know who they were?"

"I'm afraid not. They wore no colors or symbols that would link them to a specific kingdom. I can tell you one thing though - they were trained in combat. These were no simple thieves or vagabonds. They were warriors." Endymion said as he scanned his men.

"Well, that just raises more questions doesn't it? Who sent them, and what did they want? It seems suspicious that someone else would be after the woman at the same time as us. Were you able to capture any of them?" Zoicite asked as he pondered the situation.

Endymion shook his head ruefully. "Between my soldiers and the fair Luna there wasn't much left."

"Luna fought?"

"Like a mad woman." Endymion laughed as he looked to Nephrite. "She took down three before we could even reach her. She handles a sword with amazing skill."

Jadeite spoke up next. "I think it's imperative to find out who sent those men. Whoever was after her had to know about her close link to the Silver Crystal and Serenity."

"I agree. It is always best to know who your opponents are." Zoicite concurred.

Deciding to set the matter aside for know Endymion continued. "As for the rest, Luna has given me quite a bit of intriguing information about the royal family of Celeste."

Everyone leaned in for this. "It seems that there was more to them than what was made known to the general public. I had forgotten about it, but there was actually a prince, Atreus, who was the first-born. Not many people remember him because he would never inherit the throne. It seems that his body was never recovered."

"Is it just me, or are there a lot of bodies unaccounted for?" Nephrite asked as he turned to Endymion.

"It gets better. The Queen was bedridden throughout her entire pregnancy. No one outside of the immediate family and her personal maid were allowed to see her. Can you guess who that maid was?"

Four voices replied at once. "Luna."

Endymion nodded. "Indeed. It seems that there was a problem during the birthing. The first daughter was delivered without much problem-."

"The first daughter? You don't mean-?" Zoicite interjected.

"She gave birth to twins. Luna says that there were complications with the younger girl. She was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and was removed from the room so as not to upset the Queen. The doctor pronounced her dead minutes later."

Jadeite shook his head. "This is amazing."

"There's more."

"What the hell else could there be?" Kunzite exclaimed.

"Her body is also missing."

Zoicite shook his head in amazement. "Are you serious? There are three bodies unaccounted for and no one has ever thought to ask why?"

"Well, technically it would only be two seeing as no one knew about the other baby girl."

"Shut up, Jadeite."

"Why don't you both shut up? It has been blissfully quiet this last week and I'm not in the mood for you to start up petty arguments again." Kunzite put in irritably.

"How is your arm?"

The men turned to their king at his question.

Kunzite cleared his throat as he motioned to his arm. "As you can see the damage is minor. In a few more weeks I will be able to return to my full duties."

"I'm sure you're looking forward to that day." Endymion replied coolly.

"Yes, my lord."

Silence prevailed as the other generals shifted uncomfortably.

Kunzite cleared his throat. "So, we have three missing bodies. Did Luna give you any information on Serenity?"

"She was unsurprisingly tightlipped about her charge. She did say one thing, 'Things are not always what they seem. You have to separate the lies from truth'. She would not say anything else." Endymion grumbled.

The men continued with their meeting while others planned their escape.

"Where is Serenity?" Mari asked as she closed the door behind Betto.

"I sent her down to the kitchens for some lunch." Luna replied.

Mari moved forward to embrace her friend as Betto took a seat.

"We were worried when there was no notice from are contacts that you were safe. Where have you been?" Mari asked.

Sighing, Luna sat on the edge of the bed. "I made my way to the temple near Seratolla. The Priestess there was a friend of mine from childhood."

"I'm glad you are well."

"Thank you, Betto."

Shuffling to where her husband sat, Mari turned to face Luna. "So, what is the plan?"

"It is imperative that we get Serenity back to the Moonlight Temple. There is still much she has to learn before the battle to come." Luna replies.

Betto leaned forward. "What we'll need is a distraction. Something that will keep everyone occupied while we make a run for it. I can get in touch with our contacts and make sure all is ready when we make our move."

"Yes, that would do fine. We will talk more on this later. For know just try to make sure that when it is time everything is in order. There can be no mistakes."

Betto stood up from the chair with a nod. "I will take care of everything personally."

Luna smiled.

"Thank you, both of you."

As the two made their way to the door, Mari suddenly spun around. "I have never questioned our duties and I have never asked for an explanation. But can you tell me one thing, Luna?"

"If I am able."

"Who is she?"

Betto turned from the door, for he too wanted to know the answer.

Luna's smile brightened as she remembered a conversation long past. "She is the one who can save us all. Without her, there is no future."

Serenity grumbled as she puttered around the kitchen. The servants were about doing their other jobs, leaving only the cook and two helpers to manage the kitchen. Instead of asking them to stop what they were doing, she decided to fix lunch herself. The cook was against it at first, until Serenity proved that she knew her way around.

Twelve years as a commoner then six as a slave had afforded her some useful talents. She was a dream in the kitchen. Anything you could think of she could create. She missed this one thing about her former life.

Pulling back from those dangerous thoughts, she focused on making lunch. As she looked about, she noticed one of the young servants rolling out a lump of dough.

"What are you making, sweeting?"

The girl seemed startled but answered swiftly, "Banana bread."

Serenity smiled. Turning, she looked toward the cook.

"You wouldn't happen to have any nuts would you?"

The man nodded before sending the other girl to fetch them. "Just wot would ye be needin' 'em for?" he asked.

"I have a special way of baking banana bread. You don't mind do you?" Serenity asked anxiously.

Cook shrugged his shoulders as he turned back to the stove.

Serenity breathed a sigh of relief. The young girl continued to knead the dough as the other brought a bowl over to their table. "Here ye are, my lady."

"Thank you."

Serenity sifted though the nuts before turning back to look at the girl before her.

"Would you like to help me?"

The girl nodded before moving over to give Serenity room beside her. They kneaded the dough together as Serenity showed the girl how to add nuts every so often, so they would not clump together. Soon the two were talking and laughing.

"What is your name, sweeting?" Serenity asked.

"Molly."

"That's a beautiful name!"

Molly smiled shyly as she added more nuts. "Ye have a pretty name too. I've never met anyone named Serenity afore."

Serenity nudged Molly before continuing.

"You have the most delightful accent as does Cook."

"He's me da' and the other girl is me sister Bree." Molly explained.

Serenity wiped off her hands. It was time to put the dough into the stove.

"Where did ye learn to make this?" Molly asked.

"My mom used to make it when I was young. It was my father's favorite. We made it every year for his birthday."

"That was sweet of ye and yer mom. It must 'ave meant a lot to yer da'."

Serenity smiled sadly. It had meant a lot to her father. "Yeah, he used to say there was nothing better than eating something you knew had been baked especially for you."

She checked the bread after thirty more minutes. It was done. Cook graciously offered to take the bread out for them. Setting them on the worktable Serenity laid wet towels over them.

"Wot are ye doin' that for?" Molly questioned.

"It keeps the bread moist while it sits."

"Serenity?"

Turning, Serenity was appalled that she had forgotten her friend's food.

"I'm so sorry, Luna! I totally forget about your lunch. If you'll give me a minute I'll whip something up." She exclaimed as she shifted from foot to foot.

Luna chuckled. "It is fine, Sere." She paused to sniff the air, "What is that delicious smell?"

"Banana-nut bread, my lady. Serenity showed me 'ow to make it."

Luna turned to Molly with a smile. "Yes, Sere is very talented when it comes to food."

"Thank you, Luna."

Luna joined the girls at the table. The room felt warm. Everyone was laughing even dour-faced Cook joined in. She wasmaking changes already.