IX

What's in a Smile

- -

The impersonator knew she was being followed and yet, it did not worry her pretty head in the least…. Freya allowed herself a miniscule smirk as she began to hum more loudly a nonsensical tune; something Serenity would do as she aimlessly wandered the immaculate corridors of her home. Her heart pounded within her ears as the stalker's pursuit began to quicken. Not daring to chance a glance behind her, 'Serenity' turned the corner and came upon a massive hallway... a remote and empty hallway… far from any living soul….

Freya tripped slightly and giggled at her 'clumsiness.' She stooped to inspect what had caused her to do so…. This was it!

The stranger was faster than she had anticipated. They tackled her and the soldier in disguise was pushed to the ground, face first. Struggling, she grabbed at her assailant and pulled them down beside her. Shoving off her attacker, she pinned them down with her strong legs, quickly straddling him.

Freya pulled back her fist and hesitated when recognition struck her, "Ganymede?"

The boy seized his chance in that moment of hesitation and in a surprising show of strength, rolled the two of them over. With his arm pinned against her neck, she realized her mistake as her flow of oxygen was cut off. He meant business.

The Venusian Soldier moved her leg slightly to kick him off her, but the cold blade he touched against her cheek stilled her. Choking, the girl managed to steal a breath, but the harder she pushed against his tanned forearm, the harder the knife pressed.

"W—why…?" Freya never anticipated the assassin would be someone so close and this was throwing the Soldier off her game. That, and Serenity's long cumbersome dress was not helping in the least. If the warrior could only transform into Sailor Venus, the boy wouldn't stand a chance. Now, if only she could push aside her bleeding heart and finally finish this once and for all…. She did however, see the same conflict flicker within his eyes, even though the look he was giving her was one of pure hatred. To kill an enemy was one thing, but a friend…?

"Quiet!" he spat, pressing down on her windpipe. "How dare you!"

"Ga-gan—"

That destroyed any emotional ties that were holding her back. In one swift movement, she threw him a good couple of yards, managing to jump to her feet. Ganymede went scrambling to his, retrieving the knife that had landed a short distance away.

Freya charged at the boy, who tried to dodge her advance, but to no avail. Her fist collided with his stomach and the force of the blow brought him to his knees. Lifting her silken skirts, she launched a swift kick to his face. Blood spurted and the child went sprawling to the ground. She kicked the knife from his hand and pressed a pretty foot against his neck, effectively restraining him.

"Who are you working for?" Freya demanded and the boy did something she did not expect-- face bloody from his busted nose, he began to cry.

She blanched, but quickly regained her composure once he opened those vengeful eyes, tears pouring freely. The Soldier watched in fascination as Gany began to writhe and reach for the knife that thankfully was well out of grasp. He had moxy, but that still did not answer her question, so again she shouted, "Who are you working for, Ganymede?"

Ignoring her, the boy sobbed, "Who are you? What've you done with her?"

Officially, for the third time within the past few minutes, the Soldier of Venus was caught off guard, "Huh?"

"You monster…! What've you done with Serenity?" Raw emotion replaced the venom in his voice. The wheels began to turn and Freya's gut began to scream that something was amiss. Surely if Gany were an assassin, he wouldn't have been so easy to defeat and he certainly would not have tried to kill Serenity with a kitchen knife, she realized, taking a good look at the blade.

"Who are you?" his heart wrenching sobs broke through her ponderings, "where's Serenity? You've killed her…."

He was not the assassin. Freya sighed in relief and closed her eyes. She felt the glamour melt away and she stood over him as herself. Gany's swollen green eyes went wide and his squirming ceased immediately. Venus laughed as she offered her hand and pulled the boy to his feet, "Come. Let us see to that nose of yours."

"I noticed a few days after the ball," Gany winced as Mercury ministered to his puffy eyes and near broken nose.

Freya, once again disguised as Serenity, sighed, "And you were planning on taking on her imposter with a bread knife?"

After revealing herself to the servant boy, Freya donned her guise once again as the Moon Princess and called Mercury and Jupiter to meet them. Now 'Serenity,' Talaria, Ganymede, and Ceres were currently crammed in a small side room in a quiet wing of the castle. Being somewhat of a healer, Talaria tended to Gany as he sat on the end of a wooden table looking, to Venus, heartbreakingly innocent and victimized. Her conscience was weeping for what she had done to him.

"What you did was brave, Ganymede," Mercury shot her 'Princess' a look, "However—"

"Stupid," Ceres interrupted, crossing her arms.

"However," The Mercurial princess huffed, straightening after inspecting the boy's face, giving Ceres an identical look of annoyance, "You should have come to us if you had these suspicions."

"I am sorry," he said abashed, "But I just lost my head when I thought that she might be dead…."

Rubbing salve on his nose, she asked tenderly, "Are you in love with Princess Serenity, Gany?"

The parts of his face that weren't black and green with bruising turned red, "No—"

"Yeah, what happened to that doll maker in Serenitatus you liked?" Ceres of Jupiter gibed.

"It's not that at all!" He said defensively, "I still like Aya, but Serenity…. It's a different type of love…. She's like a sister to me."

"A spoilt rotten royal version of a sister, you mean." Freya laughed.

He laughed a little, then regretted it as an intense pain throbbed throughout his head, "Yeah, but I think most people feel the same way when they meet her I suppose; that she's something special to cherish."

All three women smiled knowingly.

Talaria ran her thumb and index finger down the bridge of Gany's nose. A clear blue shimmering light followed her fingertips and then spread out to his cheeks and eyes. She stood up straight once again and watched as the swelling reduced significantly, "Well, you will still have some visible bruising, but most of it I have healed. That is all I can do for you Ganymede."

The servant touched his face gingerly and smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Lady Soldier."

Looking at her feet, Freya guiltily said, "For what it is worth, I think that you are someone equally special to Serenity, Gany. You are her brother, someone she loves and cherishes with everything she has."

Jupiter placed her hand on his shoulder, "You realize you mustn't tell anyone of this, right? Even the Queen. Can you do that?"

"For Ser, anythin'," he replied in that slightly off accent of his, where words would run together and end sooner than later, and the Soldiers saw the conviction in his eyes. He would not tell a soul.

"You know what surprises me most, is how you got the best of our dear 'Princess' here," laughed the tall brunette.

Freya pouted, "I was shocked! You would have hesitated too!" They all laughed briefly, but soon grew somber again and she said what was on all their minds, "It may be someone who we know…. We cannot fumble as I did today. Ceres is right. If Ganymede had been the assassin, he would have killed me easily."

Suddenly, Artemis jumped upon the tiny windowsill from the garden outside, startling all of them, "Sorry, I was detained, girls. Serenity, your mother -- the Queen -- requests you come to see her." The white cat's voice was strained and Freya felt a chill go down her spine.

Talaria nervously looked about and whispered, "We need to be more cautious about what is said aloud. Too many things have gone amuck today…."

"Well, Serenity," Ceres tried to smile unsuccessfully, "I suppose avoiding certain people as a strategy has not been panning out all that well for us."

"How did you know she was not Serenity?"

Ganymede shrugged, "Honestly, it took me a while to be sure. At first I noticed she was avoiding me and I thought that maybe she was mad at me for somethin', but then I started to watch."

"Do you think anyone else has noticed?"

"No, there was only one thing that caught my attention and tipped me off," He said, "It's not somethin' you'd notice ever, really, but I just so happened to."

The blonde nodded, then squared her shoulders, "I will come with you Artemis, to see my 'mother.'"

The Mauian nodded, then hopped down to the floor as Freya opened the door to the corridor.

Despite Gany reassuring them that she was playing a convincing Serenity, if he discerned the difference, surely, Queen Selenity could as well. Before she stepped out, she turned to face Ganymede, "I am sorry."

He grinned, "Think nothing of it, Ser."

"What was the one thing that was different?" she asked, afraid.

Looking her squarely in the eye, he stated simply, "Your smile. There is a trace of sadness behind it, instead of a radiating joy, like hers."

Freya nodded and stepped out into the hallway. Funny how a boy, who was only thirteen saw something in her only Artemis and one other person had ever noticed about her in her entire life….

She wore a crown of daisies in her golden hair, which twisted and turned each way as it was looped up atop her head beautifully. Her smiling face was scrubbed clean and it glowed with excitement. Serenity was a vision as she walked into the clearing, even in men's trousers.

Endymion stopped his grumbling as soon as she had walked through the trees, on a path he knew led to a river-- he had been kicking himself for letting the girls go and freshen up before they arrived at their destination as it took waaaaaay longer than he had anticipated. However, it was all worth it, he realized, when she walked up to him with a bounce in her step.

She kicked her heels together and saluted him, "Ready when you are!"

The King smirked knowingly; she was laying on the charm thick, because she knew she had taken waaaaaay too long also, but the sun could only dry her washed clothing only so fast. He was about to ask where her guardian was, but Luna soon came to stand beside her Princess wearing a frown before he could finish his thought. Apparently, she was not thrilled with the fact that Serenity wasn't wearing a dress.

"Ladies," Endymion bowed slightly, "Noon is almost upon us. We must be on our way."

The Moon Princess clapped her hands, obviously pleased, and left to go stand somewhat near to Loki; her fear of horses had waned considerably, yes, but that didn't mean she was about to try and handle the giant by herself.

Endymion went to follow, but Luna stopped him by saying in a low, deadly voice, "Crystal River, Endymion?"

Uh oh…. He winced and slowly turned to face her, "Yes, I do believe that is the river's name."

She glowered at him long and hard, then slapped at his arm. "You better know what you are doing, or else you have me to answer to!" The Mauian stormed off and climbed into the carriage without looking back once. She had had suspicions as to where the King's destination was, and the further they traveled, the more they were confirmed. She had never been to the village, but she knew the tales and the roundabout location of it. Seeing the Crystal River was the affirmation she had dreaded. They were going to The Glen….

Queen Selenity frowned at her daughter. She was deeply troubled about something, so sitting on her vanity's stool, she pat at her knee and had Serenity sit at her feet. They were in the Queen's chambers—the best place to have this type of discussion.

"Something worries me, daughter," Selenity said anxiously.

Freya looked up at her Queen with concern that was not feigned. Did Selenity know? Did she see that same sadness in her eyes as Ganymede had?

"Why, what is it that worries you so, Mother?" the Soldier of Venus said in Serenity's voice. She willed her hands not to tremble as she placed them attentively on Selenity's knees.

"It has been a while since we have spoken. Why is that?" The Queen placed a soft hand underneath Freya's chin and her pale blue eyes searched the girl's younger face with a look of penetrating intensity. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she said, "You seem not the same since your birthday celebration, dear daughter."

Taken aback and terrified, the princess of Venus looked down at her hands, "I am afraid I do not see what it is that is different…." at that, her Queen smiled knowingly and made Freya wonder if she could hear her heartbeat slamming against her ribcage.

"Do not think me naive, little one," she almost laughed and an eternity seemed to pass by until she added, "I saw that handsome man you danced with. Has he stolen you heart, dear child?" Nervous laughter bubbled to the princess' pink lips before she should stop it. The High Queen nodded and laughed as well, "I thought as much. Was he a gentleman?"

Freya smiled brightly, "Yes, Mama. He was a very nice young man and treated me with such kindness."

So, Selenity had seen the disguised Endymion waltzing with her daughter that night…. The Soldier thought about that fervently and concluded that it wasn't too much of a red flag. Many men have tried to vie for the Moon Princess' affections for years. This was nothing new and fortunate for her that the Queen thought that Serenity's recent detachment was because of a crush.

Selenity looked past her 'daughter' and her eyes became distant and unseeing, "I am glad you have experienced the first glowing embers of affection. However…." Freya knew what was coming. She had been given this very same speech on several occasions when she was first training to become a Soldier of Serenity's Inner Guard. There was a difference though…. "You know your obligations might not lead you to where your heart wishes…. One day you may find yourself married, not for love, but for State," her nearly gray eyes landed on Freya once more, "Do you understand this, my love?"

Serenity was expected to marry while the Guard could not wed. This was the difference.

"Yes, Mama," she looked down to give the impression of dismay, "I know. He was nice, that is all."

The Soldier's Queen leaned over and kissed her forehead, "You mustn't be too upset, dear one."

"May I go now? I think I saw a strawberry pie in the kitchen and it calls for me, Mama," Freya smiled once more.

Selenity laughed and nodded, "Yes, yes. By all means, but do not let the Merry catch you. I think she meant to surprise you with it, Serenity."

Before the blonde left, she said, "I promise not to sulk too much, thank you for talking with me."

As the door closed behind her, the Queen shook her head, staring at her clasped hands resting upon her lap, "Dear Serenity, you are growing up too fast. Please let time move a little slower…."

Serenity had been hearing voices for a while now, and they grew louder and more distinct as they traveled further through the Elysian Forest. They were singing, she knew that much, but she couldn't quite make out the words to their song. Looking down at Endymion from her high perch, she wondered again, where it was that he was taking them. He had surprised her earlier by not joining her after hoisting her up upon the saddle. Instead, he merely led Loki along the small road and answered all of her questions about this village by saying, "You shall have to wait, Princess."

Suddenly, the trees began to thin and they came upon an enormous clearing just over a hill; they had come upon a valley within the forest! Looking around excitedly, she observed a quaint little village in the distance, right smack in the middle of the alcove and the source of the singing. Nearly twenty women of all ages sang jovially while they stooped and picked mouthwatering strawberries from the vine. Their voices were lifted up upon the breeze and intermingled with the men's as they sang from the fields out to her left….

"Sweet fireflies light up the sky with glee,

Like such sweet bits of magic,

This night I hope that dancing I will be,

To be alone would be tragic."

As the caravan moved on by, one by one the villagers stood and began to walk with them, greeting them with smiles and song. Someone even reached up and gave Serenity a bouquet of wildflowers.

"Who will receive a flower tonight?

What color will the ribbon be?

We shall meet by the fireflies' light,

I hope that they too love me."

With the women humming, the men sang their side of the story as they came upon the village.

"The festival is fast approaching,

And I hope it will be my time,

To find a love who's not reproaching,

And who is gentle sweet and kind."

"I hope the gardenia is found by she,

The girl who stole my heart,

Ambrosia I hope she brings for me,

I pray I've done my part."

Coming upon the central square, the song ended before it was finished . A young man with long black hair stood upon a crate, having earlier been giving out orders to several people beforehand, but now obviously waiting for his guests to arrive. He laughed a loud, joyous laugh and jumped down to receive them. Rushing forward, he welcomed Endymion with a bear hug, "Cousin! Well met!"

The King laughed and pulled away, clasping this young man on the shoulders in fond greeting, "Well met, Matthias!"

Serenity didn't know what to do. She wasn't sure if she should call out to Endymion, or just wait to be introduced. Loki didn't seem to appreciate being ignored either as he began to nibble at Matthias' arm.

Again, the man who could have passed for the King's double -- save for a few distinct features -- laughed, "Loki, well met! Well met!" His forest-green eyes traveled upward and widened slightly in astonishment, "And this must be the lovely Sere."

She glanced at Endymion questioningly, but his steadfast gaze made her realize that he was responsible for this slight. Sere it was, then.

Matthias gave the King a sly look and jumped back upon his box. Spreading his arms wide, he bowed, "Guests! Welcome to the Glen!"