Title: The Trainer

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon

Authors Notes: Here's the next chapter! I'm so glad everyone is liking this one. Please keep telling me what you think. I love reading all your comments. Helps me get the motivation to finish and post new chapters!

It was a very strange time. Luna watched it's already prosperous kingdom bloom into something magical. Illness was healed, the food was abundant, and any dangers they had been facing, no matter how small, were gone.

Endymions wounds from the games healed quickly, and he was as strong as he'd ever been, if not a little more brooding.

Everything centred around preparations for the war. She had no experience at all with war, so she looked to Endymion and her advisors. It didn't take long for them to look to him for most of the decisions.

He was careful to explain everything to her, so she could make the decision. She knew it wasn't necessary. He was as capable of leading as she was, and she didn't feel like he was usurping her power. But he made more of an effort than necessary to make sure they thought of him as her general than her suprerior.

And that's when she realized where his concern stemmed from, and why he wouldn't marry her. All this had started because he was named king when he had no birthright to the throne.

"Do you think the people are uneasy?" She asked her mother's head advisor.

He shook his head. "I don't think so. No one has said anything."

"Can you make sure?"

"I will do what I can your majesty. But your people love you and respect your decisions. Endymion has proven himself one of us time and time again. I don't think they're afraid he's after the crown. He's never shown himself to desire it."

"But he stayed in the palace after declaring he would be a hermit in the woods."

The advisor smiled. "Yes well, it was very clear that was a noble decision from the start."

She nodded, looking away.

"You're not concerned about his intentions, are you?"

"No!" She said immediately. "I'm trying to figure out what it is he fears so I can convince him it's all in his head. He's one of us."

"He has our trust. He's our champion and the one who trains all of us to defend those we love. I will ask around to make sure there are no worries where he is concerned, but I feel confident that there are none."

She nodded. "Thank you."

She watched him constantly. Now that she knew he was a prince, she could see it in the way he did... everything. He confidence when giving orders. His thought when faced with a decision. His worry for the people over himself. She could see how a king would risk the wrath of an older son to give the throne to his youngest son. Endymion had been born to be king.

A week later, she received a note from Lita. It was a long letter of friendship and support, and assurances that her husband and his family, including the king and queen, were preparing for the war without any hesitations.

She also received letters from Deimos, giving their support and sending their regrets that they'd left too early to participate in the discussions.

The old king of Terra sent plans of his army and wished they were greater. He also said that their intentions were to join with Luna no matter what the other kingdoms decided.

It was all overwhelming.

She spent long hours sitting with her mother. She was buried in the royal courtyard inside the gardens with Serenity's father, and Serenity found herself speaking to both of them of her concerns.

"I'm barely a woman," she said softly. "I know that I'm strong, but there is so much I still need to learn to be able to accomplish all this. How can I be expected to lead all seven kingdoms when I haven't even started leading Luna."

She felt their love, but they did not answer her.

"I miss you," she said softly, speaking more to her mother but feeling it equally for her father. "Yesterday Endymion started training the generals for war. It was so strange. I realized that the advisors had asked him to do it, and of course he said yes, but he hadn't intended to lead them. I look around me and everyone wants to follow him. It's like he has this power, this gift, to inspire a confidence so strong you don't hesitate to follow him."

Her own words stopped her, and she frowned at her parents grave. She looked back at the palace and saw the white stone reaching up into the sky. Endymion was standing at the edge of the courtyard, silently protecting her. Could someone have a power like that?

She looked at the few guards standing watch. They were looking at him, not her. Waiting for his move, his command.

And her heart fluttered. A third son born to be king. If the gods had granted a gift to Elysium in the form of Endymion, she knew at once that it was a burden he would give his entire life for. And not for the first time, she feared she would lose him.

They only waited two weeks before their army was ready to move. Gathering everything they could and preparing Luna for what could be thousands of refugees from Elysium, they marched across the land to Amalthea.

She rode at the front, as the rulers of Luna always did. Endymion was at her side, although he kept his horse slightly behind hers. She wasn't used to riding this long on horseback, but the reason for this journey meant showing her strength.

She felt very young and naive riding in front of so many people, worrying about their fear. She'd refused to order anyone to fight. She'd instructed her generals that this war was the fight for freedom, and those who didn't want to participate could stay in Luna without any repercussions. No one had stayed. Her entire army rode behind them now.

She glanced back at Endymion who looked as serious as she did.

"Do you remember Amalthea?" She asked. "You would have landed there."

He nodded. "Vaguely. I was weak when I arrived. I'd been at sea for weeks, and I'd been injured before the journey. I was here long enough to see a healer, pack a bag and get some new clothes to blend in."

"You had enough money for all that and a horse?"

"I didn't buy a horse. I walked."

"All the way to Luna?"

"No. I was in Titan first. I walked across the ridge to one of the smaller villages. I lived there for a few months, working as a farm hand to an elderly woman who'd lost her husbands and sons to a recent war. I made sure she had enough food for the winter before going to Deimos."

"Deimos is the farthest kingdom from Luna."

He nodded. "And the coldest. I'd never experienced a winter like that. I worked in the armoury, fixing weapons and shields. There was a man there who had a strange way of throwing knives, and he taught me."

"How long were you there?"

"Five months. The longest I'd stayed anywhere until Luna. I went to Terra next, but only stayed a few weeks. That place is treacherous, and I wasn't welcome. They fight for jobs there, so they didn't look kindly on a foreigner coming to take one. I was briefly in Herion, but it felt to strong a place."

"They were in the middle of their last seven years of prosperity."

He nodded. "When I got to Luna, it just felt… peaceful. That's what I wanted. I didn't mind the work, I just wanted to find a place to live out my days in quiet."

"Well, that didn't work out."

He smiled. "No, it didn't."

"Some annoying princess ruined everything."

"She does have a way of doing that."

She grinned at him. "Mother said you decided to stay because you wanted to protect me."

"She's right."

"Even from myself?"

"You do tend to cause all kinds of trouble."

She heard one of the generals behind them stifle a laugh.

"How long from when you landed until you showed up in Luna?"

"Nearly a year."

"You were so thin."

"I wasn't taking care of myself. Your mother put an end to that. She told me I could only stay if I ate at least one good meal every day."

"She tends to be stubborn about taking care of people."

"Yes, she was."

She looked down then because she'd spoken of her mother like she was still alive, and he'd softly reminded her she wasn't.

She looked back at the road in front of her. "How long until we reach Amalthea?"

"Two days at least. At the rate we're moving, it might be three," one of her generals answered.

Amalthea was right on the coast, and they could smell the ocean as soon as they rounded the ridge of the mountain. The city was made mostly of wood, and it was built around the nature already there. Green fingers of trees cut through the city, and grey stone jutted out between the homes. It was beautiful like it had grown from nature itself.

And long docks reached out into the sea with hundreds upon hundreds of ships docked or sailing out. She could see they were preparing. Most of the ships had the emblem of Amalthea on their sales. They were warships.

There were camps set up to the east of the city, and she realized the armies of Terra and Deimos were already there. And she knew Herion was on its way, only a few days behind them.

She felt a flutter of nerves. Had anything this big ever happened?

"How large are the armies of Elysium?" She asked.

Endymion considered it for a long moment. "If it's anything like it was when I left, their ships alone will outnumber Amalthea five to one."

Her heart thudded nervously. "Oh."

"But they will be weak form sailing weeks over the sea, and then unfamiliar with the terrain here. Elysium does not have so much green. It will confuse them."

"We have plenty of advantages here," one of her generals said. "We are defending our home. That is powerful enough to make every man here worth ten of theirs."

"True," Endymion said. But his voice was soft. No matter how many times he voiced his allegiance, they were still preparing to fight his own soldiers.

She moved to keep her horse walking towards the city. It would be dark in a few hours. They needed to set up camp.

The king of Amalthea greeted her kindly, hugging her like a father. She felt touched by his loyalty.

"We've been gathering information from the soldiers who stayed behind from Elysium," he said.

"How many stayed?" Endymion asked.

"All but two. And they only went because the commander Jadeite could not sail alone."

Endymion nodded, showing nothing of his emotion.

Serenity watched as the king of Amalthea kept his eyes on Endymion as if waiting for orders. Which didn't make sense exactly, because Endymion was not royal in their world. But it made her heart flutter because it was becoming very ordinary for him to be the centre of attention.

"I should speak to them if they are willing."

The king of Amalthea nodded. "They have been waiting for you to arrive."

And this time Endymion couldn't help the way he gulped, and she knew he was nervous to face his people.

"Is Lita here?" She asked suddenly, surprising even herself.

"Yes she is, your majesty. In the gardens with a few other ladies."

She smiled at Endymion. "I trust you will manage things here while I greet my friend?"

"Of course, your majesty," he said bowing respectfully.

She nodded and smiled at the king of Amalthea before taking her leave.

She found Lita a few minutes later in the garden, and her beautiful friend greeted her with such warmth that Serenity remembered her own mother.

"I'm so glad you're here," Lita said. "I know you have too much on your mind, but I have to share with you my news!"

"What news?" She asked immediately, feeling Lita's excitement.

"I'm with child."

She gasped in excitement. "Lita, congratulations!" She hugged her tightly. "I can't believe it. When did you find out?"

"The day we returned," she said, and she sighed dramatically. "I was miserable the whole way back. I love riding horses, and I was so sick I had to stay in the carriage. I don't think I've ever been so cruel to my poor husband. The doctors were called immediately because I was so pale, and they discovered my condition."

"You should not have travelled at all!"

"Yes well, everything is good and the baby is healthy. There is no harm done."

"Lita, I just… I'm so happy for you."

"I wanted to tell you in my letter, but I knew you would be here soon, so I waited to surprise you."

They sat down together just in the shade. There were no other ladies present. She was glad that they were alone so they could talk openly.

"I feel like I desperately need this news," Serenity said. "A clear sign of happiness in a world of uncertainty."

"Yes, that is how I felt. I know it will be dangerous during this war, but when it is over, we will have joy in our lives again."

"Yes, we will," Serenity said.

"Now, tell me what troubles you. I can tell there is something on your mind, and I assume it has to do with your Endymion."

She nodded. "I nearly gave myself to him."

Lita looked at her in shock. "Serenity. You're not married yet."

"I know. It just… doesn't seem important to me that we get married. I've always considered marriage a doomed endeavour in my life. That sounds dramatic, I know. But it's the truth. I've never linked love and marriage in my mind. I love him, and I want to be with him in every way, and that doesn't have to include marriage."

Lita was watching her carefully. "That's not what troubles you."

She shook her head. "No, actually I've sort of figured that one out already. As soon as he stops being all noble and resisting then there are no questions to make us hesitate."

"So then what?"

"Have you noticed the way people instinctively look to him?"

She sighed, nodding. "Yes. I noticed it at the games. The way my husbands and father-in-law spoke of him every night. A noble man. A man worthy of winning. Even I came over to cheer him on, thinking it was affection for you, but realizing that I also really wanted him to win."

"Back in Luna they don't even question it. They look to him for the answer. They except that I won't ever marry anyone else, even if it means there will never be a king. He has the trust of my soldiers, my guards and all my advisors. And yet he seems so uncomfortable with all of it."

"It makes it so clear to me," Lita said. "How a third son could inspire an entire kingdom to overthrow the man born to be king."

"It's more than just inspiration," Serenity said. "I don't think he even realizes that it's happening around him. He never wanted to be king, and yet it was given to him. He didn't want to stand out in Luna, but my mother instinctively trusted him. And now he's inspired all of this. All seven kingdoms getting together to fight a common enemy, one we didn't have until Endymion was revealed."

"If it is a gift from the gods, it's a dangerous one," Lita said. "In the hands of the wrong person..."

"I think the fact that Endymion so obviously doesn't want it means it was given to the right person," Serenity said.

Lita nodded, thinking quietly for a few moments. "Well to put things in perspective, this works out well for you."

"What?"

"If they all love and respect him, no one will care if you marry him."

Serenity smiled slowly. "I hadn't thought of that."

"I bet they wouldn't care if they found out he was your secret lover either."

She blushed at Lita's teasing. "Maybe not."

"I think Endymion was born to be King," Lita said. "Third son or foreigner, this is what he was meant for. He is the reason the seven kingdoms will unite for the first time in hundreds of years. He is the reason Elysium will see the light again. His purpose is much greater than what we can see."

"I think you may be right."

It had been a long day for all of them. Serenity had sat through hours of meetings and planning, and Endymion had gone with the army to prepare. They could have weeks before any attack, assuming Elysium was poised and ready to strike the moment Jadeite gave the news. More likely they'd start housing refugees.

She'd instructed groups of her soldiers to be prepared to take any people from Elysium immediately to Luna. Luna was protected by the gods now, and so it was the safest place for them.

She was ready for bed, but she hadn't seen Endymion in hours and knew she wouldn't be able to rest without him.

She spotted him at the end of the hall, talking to the Prince Nephrite, Lita's husband. Nephrite was nodding, and the conversation seemed friendly enough.

They both looked up as she approached, and Endymion smiled.

"I was just about to come find you," he said, taking her hand.

"I think I am finally finished for the day. I was going to go to bed." She turned to Nephrite. "Congratulations. Lita told me the wonderful news."

Nephrite smiled brightly. "Thank you. I was overjoyed when we were told."

"What news?" Endymion asked.

"She's with child," Serenity said softly.

Endymion smiled at Nephrite. A genuine and true smile. "I offer my congratulations as well. A very happy surprise."

"Thank you. If you will excuse me, I intend to make sure my stubborn wife is resting."

"Good luck," Serenity said teasingly.

He laughed, taking his leave.

She turned to Endymion. "Guess what."

"Oh dear," he said in mock fear. "What did you do now?"

"I discovered a secret about you."

"Which one. The hordes of unmarried women? Or that I'm not really a prince, just a poor thief manipulating you all."

"I already knew both of those."

He smiled, leading her back towards her rooms, still holding her hand. "Then what more is there to know?"

She shrugged. "I suppose it's more of a theory than a secret. Lita and I have come up with an explanation for you. I intend to secretly test you to make sure it's true."

"Oh good, I was afraid this was going to annoy me. I can see now it's going to instead cause no end to my frustration."

"Were you always this sarcastic in Elysium?"

He thought about that for a moment. "Yes, I think so. I had a good relationship with my father and mother, and my second brother was amused by my antics, although he was too serious to really appreciate them."

"Is he still alive?"

"No," he said softly. "He was killed the same night. If I could overthrow the king, what was stopping him?"

"Even though he didn't want too?"

"Neither did I."

"Right," she said. "Well, I guess that makes sense in a twisted sort of way. But what about the people of Elysium? Are they like you?"

"Most of them are good, kind people. We've seen hard times, but we've also seen good and prosperous times."

They reached her door.

"This is where I say goodnight," he said softly.

She sighed. "If you must."

He grinned at her. "Are you so eager?"

"I know what I want," she said. "I don't see any point in waiting for it."

He kissed her then, almost suddenly, passionately. She kissed him back, pressing herself against him.

They were still in the hallway where anyone could see, her guards a few feet away, turning and pretending not to see.

When he didn't stop kissing her, she pulled him back with her into her bedroom, away from the light of the hallway and the eyes of the guards.

He closed the door, and she found herself pressed against him, kissing him hungrily. This wild, uncontrolled side of him sent thrills through her. She wanted him desperately, kissing him with everything she had.

"Serenity," he breathed, forcing himself to stop.

"Don't be so noble," she chided breathlessly. "You're not forcing anything." She kissed him again, and he didn't fight immediately, although he didn't let her sway him.

"Since the moment we met, I've wanted to protect you," he said. "That means I will protect you from me as well."

"I don't want to be protected from you."

He kissed her again, and she wished he would just give in. She already understood that tonight was a losing battle. Wherever he'd gotten his self-control from, it would take longer to break him.

"Fine," she sighed dramatically, breaking away. "I guess you should go then."

He shook his head at her. "You're so dangerous."

"And you're so much work."

She all but pushed him out of the room, pretending to ignore the amused looking guards as Endymion all but stumbled back.

"Goodnight," she sing-songed to him and closed the door. The last thing she saw was the amusement written all over his face, and her guards trying not to laugh before the door closed.

She smiled to herself, moving across the room. She was tired, but she knew it would be hours before she found rest.

She went to the window and looked up at the moon, hanging full and beautiful in the sky. She felt the light wash over her and felt in that moment that her mother was watching over her.

"He loves me," she said softly to the moon. "It's the last thing I ever said to you."

The light pulsed for her, and she smiled up at it. "I have this strange feeling that at the end of the day, he will be the one standing above all of us. It doesn't frighten me. If any one person is capable of leading the seven kingdoms and finally bringing a complete peace, it's him. And to think, I did fall for a prince after all."

End of Chapter Ten. Please Comment! It really means a lot to me when you comment. This chapter wasn't very action-packed, but it will get more exciting!