Title: Legends of Love

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon

Authors Notes: Hey everyone. I'm really sorry for the delayed update. I'm having some personal problems right now. My dad is very sick and I'm spending a lot of time at the hospital. I will try to continue updating as often as I can, but please forgive me if I take longer than a couple of days to get the next chapter out. But don't worry, they will come out as soon as possible.

Also, I have created a new website. The last website I had was not working with me at all. It was hard to update and really annoying to navigate. My new website is a blog and I've decided to make it a place we can all go for a little bit of inspiration. Every time I come up with an idea for a new story, I'll update where I got that idea from or what's inspired here. I'm also leaving it open for others to talk about it what inspires them. I'll update anyone's thoughts along with mine and I'd like people to become involved. I've set it as my homepage and you can access it through my profile page. I look forward to hearing form all of you.

Serenity worried that Darien might have gone straight to Mina, but she wasn't able to take that into consideration. She had to get Amy and Raye out of the palace and she had to do it now.

"Where are we going?" Amy asked through the darkness of the garden.

Serenity was too afraid to answer. She was sure the King would have already sent his guards to try and get into her room. It was only a matter of time before he got through. She simply had to get them out of the way.

"I didn't even know this place existed," Raye said gazing out over the beautiful serene lake. "How is that possible? It's not that far away from the palace."

"There are a few areas the King had blocked off. Mostly because they were his mother's favorite," Amy explained. "This must be one of them."

They arrived at the small little house within a few minutes and Serenity quickly knocked on the door.

Mina opened the door and at once her face lit up in the brightest smile.

"Serenity! I haven't seen you in a couple of days! Oh! And you brought friends! Come in everyone!"

Serena moved quickly into the house, trying to stay calm.

"I'm Mina," Mina immediately introduced herself.

"This is Raye and Amy," Serenity said. "Mina, I need them to stay with you for awhile."

Mina looked at her confused. "Stay with me?"

"There is a problem in the palace," Amy said softly, seeing that Serenity was having a hard time calming down.

Mina immediately looked worried. "What happened? Is Darien alright?"

Serenity felt tears sting her eyes.

"He's fine," Raye said. "He's……..he should be fine. Serenity had to…..be harsh with him in order to get him to leave before he was hurt."

Mina nodded, her brow furrowed.

"The King said he would hurt them," Serenity said to Mina. "I couldn't let that happen. I can't, let that happen. I don't know where else to hide them."

Mina looked unsure, but she nodded again.

"I'm so sorry for getting you involved."

"No," Mina said smiling again. "I understand. I've lived here my whole life and the King has never been able to get his hands on me. This is the safest place for them. He'd never think to look here."

"I have money," Serenity said pulling out a bag of coins.

Mina started shaking her head. "I don't need payment. My father will…."

"Take it," Serenity said urgently. "If something happens, you have to get out of here. I'm going to set up safer places for everyone to go, but you have to promise me to stay out of danger. If anyone comes this way and sees you, take the money and get out of the kingdom."

"Serenity, what are you going to do?" Raye asked with concern in her beautiful violet eyes.

Serenity swallowed softly. "I'm going to stand up to him."

"He could kill you," Amy breathed.

"No," Serenity said. "He could hurt me, but he won't kill me. I'll try to stay away from him. I'm going to continue life, out in public, so he can't hurt me. If he does, I'm going to show everyone what he's capable of."

"We could run away," Raye pleaded. "We could go back to your home. I'm sure your mother would……."

"My mother married me to that man because there was a threat of war. I can't bring that threat back to my home. I will not put people in danger. This is my life. I have to deal with it."

Amy shook her head, looking scared. "I have this awful feeling."

"Things will be fine," she tried to sound sincere. "You'll be safe here. Mina knows more about the land surrounding the palace than anyone I've ever met. She can get away from any situation. She'll know how to run if the time comes."

Mina nodded, smiling brightly. "I've practiced my whole life."

Amy and Raye smiled softly at the beautiful blonde girl, but the smile didn't reach their eyes. They looked worried and a little too eager to fight beside her. She couldn't risk it.

"Please, stay out of trouble."

They nodded.

"Thank you so much, Mina," she said moving back towards the door. "I will find a way to repay you when this is all over."

Mina reached forward, taking her hand. "What did you say to Darien?"

Tears sprang to her eyes, but she couldn't answer.

Mina looked upset. "Did you hurt him?"

"I had no choice," Serenity said shakily.

"But……he loves you," she said.

That was all it took for Serenity to break down in tears. Pain ripped through her and the image of his face the last time she had seen it, masked with pain and anger, nearly killed her.

"Please," she said desperately. "Please tell him how sorry I am."

Mina nodded.

"It was the only way I knew how to save him."

"I'll tell him."

Serenity turned and without another word, ran into the night.

The palace was chaos. Guards were everywhere, standing between her and the King at all times. Nobles found reason to stay in the palace, being present wherever she was. The King's anger infected the whole kingdom and people talked in hushed, worried voices as they decided to either stay out of the way or fight.

The fact that most of the Kingdom was standing in his way to get to her, made everything worse.

Serenity had never asked for such loyalty and she certainly never expected it. Every noble she had met surrounded her and servants went out of their way to warn her where the King was. It was startling, walking down one hallway only to have a servant hastily grab her and ever so gently push her into another direction, whispering about the King coming for her.

The whole situation was completely out of hand.

But what could he do? As much as she hated him, the King was no fool. He couldn't make a move. If he so much as looked at her and she was affected, people would turn on him. The only weapon he had against the public was her and she wouldn't obey him anymore.

That fact, by itself, was the most startling.

Serenity realized that she had always had the favor of the public. It was the main reason her husband had insisted on keeping her so close to him. It was the reason he had tried so hard to control her and why her sudden hostility towards him angered him so much.

It was unbelievable.

"Where is he now?" Serenity asked softly, making sure nobody could overhear.

Lord Zoicite, newly volunteered to aid her in her charity project while she had lost her companions, moved close to her to speak.

"The guards say he's in his rooms. He's trying to find a way to legally bind you to him in a way the public won't be able to consider barbaric. He's no fool. He's not going to hurt you in a way for everyone to see. And if you were to just suddenly stop coming out in public, he knows it would have the same affect."

Serenity sighed, feeling exhaustion swell within her. It had been a few days now since she had hidden away Raye and Amy, and she was worried about them every second of the day. She hoped that they were alright and doing everything possible to stay hidden. Mina would be able to hide them, she was sure. But there was the possibility that Mina would become a victim on all of this and that was as bad as anything else.

"I have one solution for you," Zoicite said softly.

Serenity looked up at him. The kind man smiled sadly and his handsome face showed eagerness to help.

"At the ball, I was very much taken with your gentle friend, the Lady Amy."

Serenity nodded. "It's hard not to fall for her charm."

"Indeed," he said, looking nervous. "I had hoped that she and I would find opportunity to become better acquainted."

Despite everything that was happening, Serenity smiled happily. "You wish to court her?"

"Yes," he said. "Perhaps not at first, but that had been my plan before this all happened."

"She will accept you, I'm sure," Serenity felt like squealing in delight, as Mina always did.

"I have every hope she will," he said, but his smile faded again. "But now, I worry for her."

Serenity felt his change and immediately sobered.

"I believe that the King thinks he can hurt your friends because they are not of yet attached to anyone."

"Oh," Serenity said, realizing where he was going. "Raye is engaged to Lord Jadeite. They are to marry as soon as he returns. It could be as little as a year."

"Yes, and in a year, the King could find reason to make that impossible."

Serenity felt dread grip her again.

"I am a friend of Jadeite's. He and I were children together. I met him again, not more than four months ago and I was delighted to hear that he is indeed eager to meet and marry his fiancé. I believe that if I got a message to him, he would find a way to move up their wedding and return ahead of schedule. Then, when they are married, he will take her with him to his family's home and be able to protect her."

It made sense. Lita was already protected. As much as the King had threatened her friends, she knew that Lita couldn't be touched. She was married to one of the more powerful nobles in the Kingdom and carrying his child. The King couldn't touch her. Lita had argued that point when Serenity had asked her to hide herself. Her husband, Lord Nephrite, had seen things differently and moved them to their country home a few hours journey away.

If Raye and Amy were in similar situations, they might be safe as well.

"Alright," she said. "We will contact Lord Jadeite. Raye will be disappointed not to be able to fully plan her wedding, but she is no longer adverse to the idea of marrying him. It took him awhile, but he finally won her over through his letters."

Zoicite seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking again. "I would be more than willing to do the same, for the Lady Amy."

It took a full minute for that to sink in and when it did, Serenity stared at him in confused shock.

"You want to marry Amy?" She whispered.

"More than anything else in this world," he said as honestly as she could imagine, "I want to make sure she remains safe from harm. I want to get to know her and I may be a fool, but I already believe that one day I will love her. I have never had any inclination to marry and there has never been a woman who has caught my interest. But that night, dancing with her, I felt like I truly found someone who fits comfortably with me. Her mind is unlike any I have ever come across and her gentle beauty made it impossible for me to look the other way. I think it is to fast, for sure, but I would do anything to make sure she stayed safe. And furthermore, I would never pressure her at first to be a proper wife to me. I would encourage her to get to know me as if we were only courting, until she is comfortable to accept my proposal."

Serenity felt uneasy. Her quiet friend's face came into her mind and it made her heart sink in her chest.

Amy had hopes for the future and an arranged marriage wasn't one of them. She felt sick at the idea of forcing her to connect with a man she had only met once.

But was there another way to keep her safe?

Serenity knew she couldn't rely on Mina forever. It was too dangerous for everyone involved.

"I assumed you would have to think on it," Zoicite said.

Serenity nodded. "Please send your message to Lord Jadeite. At least Raye will be taken care of. But I cannot go ahead with your plan in regards to Amy without speaking to her first. As much as I think it is the only way to keep her safe, I could not arrange a marriage for her without her consent. She deserves much more than that."

Zoicite nodded. "I would not have it any other way."

"Thank you, for your help."

"It is my pleasure your majesty."

Serenity looked up at the building already filled with children in front of her. It was the last one. All four buildings were now full and functioning smoothly. The children were being cared for and the money was easily flowing. But there were still more children that needed her help.

"What is your plan for the next stage?" Zoicite asked.

Serenity honestly wasn't sure. She had been focusing so hard on this project, that she had no idea what to do now that it was starting to run without her help. She wasn't needed. If she wasn't needed, she would have to go back to the palace.

"I don't know," she said honestly.

"My home is open to you," Zoicite said. "If you ever needed a place to retreat."

She smiled warmly at him. "I appreciate that."

"There are few places you couldn't go," he said thoughtfully. "I can't think of many people in my acquaintance who wouldn't defy the King to help you."

"I seem to be very popular."

He smiled. "I can remember the day you came to us like a pleasant dream. It was so beautiful. The spring flowers were all out and the city was filled with festivities and dances. But nobody could have been prepared for how beautiful you were. Your heart shone in front of you and your compassion to those you were meant to rule gave everyone a hope so strong it was hard to ignore. Your reputation preceded you and we were all eager to see what you would do."

He looked down at her, his expression soft. "We could not have predicted what he would do to you."

"I'm sure that nobody knew his true character. My husband is a master at pretenses. I was convinced myself when we were married that he might be a good man. He almost never shows his true colors in public. That is why I know I am safe as long as there are other people around. He can not stand the idea that his people would appose him."

"And have you given up on love yourself?" He asked.

Serenity immediately thought of Darien and turned away from Zoicite, blushing slightly as the guilt rose up within her. The look on his face, the last time she had seen him, haunted her.

She hadn't heard from him at all.

Zoicite seemed to easily read her anxiety. "I'm sorry if I have asked an inappropriate question."

"No," she said softly. "But I suppose I have given up on love. It is not meant for me."

Zoicite nodded. "I think perhaps you should think of the future," he said easily. "This commotion with the King will not be forgotten. Your goal must not be to continue living with him. He will never stop trying to dominate you."

"You're saying I have to leave him?"

"I don't see what other choice there is. Divorce is not practiced in our Kingdom."

"But I couldn't think of leaving the people."

"Then you must overthrow him."

Serenity felt her stomach sink, making her feel nauseous. "I couldn't do that."

"So, you're hoping to thwart him every single day for the rest of your life and live in this time of unease. You will worry yourself to your death and be unable to help anyone from there. One day, he will get to you again. One day, he will get to those you care about most."

She sat down, feeling suddenly faint.

'What was she going to do?' she thought.

"I do not mean to upset you, but we have to consider what will happen," he said carefully. "You must figure out what your goal is. If you want, more than anything, to help your people, then you must continue helping them as their Queen. That means overthrowing the King. Or you can live for yourself, in hiding somewhere, perhaps in a simpler life and be happy."

Both options seemed awful. She didn't want to overthrow the King. As much as she hated him, he'd never once willfully mistreated his people. Just because he seemed to have a sick sense of dominance over her, didn't mean his people would be better off without him. He had stopped many wars from happening in the Kingdom.

But to live alone, leaving everyone who now looked up to her, was worse. She might never see the people she loved again. She might never see Amy get married, or Raye argue passionately with her new husband. She would never see Lita's beautiful baby born or Mina's belief in love be justified. The only good thing would be that she could be safe.

But what was safety without love.

She imagined for a moment, what life might be, living in a foreign country with Darien.

Despite herself, she couldn't help but smile at the thought. She could imagine him being able to be open with her and affectionate. She imagined being his wife and wanting nothing more than to please him. It made her happy to imagine such a place.

But it was not possible. She couldn't leave everyone who depended on her just for her own happiness.

"There has to be another way," she said sadly.

"I wish there were," Zoicite said. "Please, think on the matter. Do not come to a conclusion quickly. Make sure your mind is completely made up on your overall goal. Once you start down a certain path, you must see it through to the end."

Serenity was safely barricaded in her bedroom that night, away from the horrors of her life. The guards were stationed outside her bedroom door and in every secret passage. The King had tried to break down her barricades once and she had at once seen to it that he couldn't get in. She had even asked a few guards to cover the gardens below, in case someone knew of the secret staircase.

She sat down in her bed, still uneasy. It was harder, doing this without the support of Raye. They had been companions for as long as she had been here and she was used to having her strong friend constantly around. Raye always knew what to say to make her understand what she needed to do.

She got up and walked towards her open balcony, immediately remembering him again.

The night was cool against her skin, and she leaned against the railing to overlook the moon lit gardens. The soft fragrance of the flowers drifted around her, trying their best to soothe her. But she couldn't be soothed.

She saw movement below and looked down to see two guards standing just below the balcony. She smiled kindly at them and they in turn straightened taller, determined to keep her safe.

It was as if there were a hole in her chest, sucking in everything until she felt hallow and empty. It wasn't painful, but it was somewhat disconcerting. It was like she wasn't complete.

But remembering how he had wrapped his arms around her in comfort seemed to stop it.

She closed her eyes and remembered how it had felt to be kissed by him. The dull burning in the pit of her stomach which had driven her to touch him. The desire that had penetrated deep within her when he had touched her in a way no man had ever touched her before. His lust filled eyes when he had gazed down at her. Just remembering it calmed the empty hole within her.

"Your majesty?"

Serenity turned to Molly, who was standing in the doorway. The beautiful young red headed maid had been so faithful to her. She couldn't help but worry that she too would be hurt by all this.

"You have not eaten yet today."

Serenity nodded, walking smoothly back into her room. "I haven't much felt like eating."

"You must keep up your strength," Molly said in a disapproving tone.

Serenity smiled. "I know. Do you have any more information for me?"

The way she hesitated made Serenity immediately on edge. "What's happened?"

"Nothing," Molly said quickly, trying not to make it more than it was. "It's nothing terrible, I assure you. The King today remembered that beautiful white horse from before."

Serenity felt her insides clench. "What did he do to Sterling?"

"Nothing. He went to the stables, in a rage and demanded the horse be saddled for him. But it wasn't there."

Serenity looked confused. "What?"

"The horse wasn't there. The stable man said it must have been stolen. Everyone who works there was called and the King interrogated them all."

Panic swept through her.

"Nobody was hurt," Molly continued quickly. "I was not able to confirm whether or not Darien was there, but nobody was hurt. The King has ordered a search for the horse. He thinks you stole it away and hid it somewhere in the city."

Serenity breathed out in relief. As long as the King was blaming her, that was fine.

"What really happened to it?"

Once again, Molly hesitated.

"What are you keeping from me Molly?"

Molly looked down, fidgeting with her hands. "You asked me, before all this started, if I could find out anything more about Darien."

Serenity nodded. "And did you?"

"Yes, but I think perhaps it is none of my business."

"Molly, please, tell me. I promise not to be angry with you, or get in trouble any person that brought you this information."

"He was originally born here," Molly said. "I know a friend of his. There is a man, a noble man, who lives in one of the more prominent homes downtown. My first job was working with his family. He was very kind to me, and made my position here possible when I was treated poorly by one of his guests. I sometimes see him, as a friend and he lets me know some of the gossip around town. I did not think it was unwise to ask him about Darien. I figured he wouldn't know who it was, but might have another acquaintance to ask."

"What did he say?"

"At first, he looked at me with such confusion, I thought I had asked an absurd question. But then he told me I must be mistaken. The man he knew, Darien, who's father was a lord, was dead."

Serenity furrowed her brow. "He's not dead. I've…I mean…."

"That's what I told him. He said that if we were speaking of the same Darien, then he knew his father and he had in fact known him as a young man. They had been great friends even though their stations in life were so different. They were in fact cousins through their fathers. But when his mother died, Darien disappeared. His father said a year later, that the boy had been found in a foreign country, dead."

Serenity was so confused by this story. It didn't make any sense.

"Lord Kunzite……" Molly covered her mouth in horror.

Serenity nodded at her mistake. "I won't tell anyone who told you this," she promised.

Molly continued carefully. "He left me that day and apparently went in search of Darien. He found him and confirmed his identity. His father had faked his death in order to give up any rights he had to the child. He stopped paying for his education and pretended he had never existed. Lord Kunzite…….he said that Darien was aware of how his father had acted and didn't seem to care less about the whole situation. He was happy to see his old friend, but does not consider himself part of that family at all. He lives outside the world of nobles, but he is in fact the only son of Sir Damien Shields."

Serenity gasped, putting her hands to her mouth in surprise.

"Despite the nature of his birth, Darien could lay claim over the whole estate and take up his own title of Lord. But he doesn't want it. He never did. Kunzite said Sir Shields is now at the time of life that he sees his mistakes and has tried to connect to his only son. But Darien won't even acknowledge him."

Serenity wasn't totally surprised. She had always thought that Darien was something more than he seemed, but this was a bit much. There weren't many people in history that denied their titles and wanted to be little more than servants.

And yet she could not deny that Darien had seemed perfectly happy in his life. A happiness that not many nobles shared.

"Did you mention to Lord Kunzite the reason for your enquiries?"

"No," Molly said. "But when he came back from speaking with Darien, he was concerned. He said he had never seen his friend in such a miserable state. Despite his apparent happiness in seeing his cousin again, Darien seemed angry at life around him. He asked me what might have happened and I told him it seemed likely that his heart might have been broken. But that was the only detail I gave."

Serenity felt horrible. She had managed to take someone who had been close to completely happy and turn him. Just being part of her life was toxic and she had infected someone she thought she might have loved.

Tears came immediately to her eyes.

"Kunzite promised to make sure Darien was alright. I think it is safe to presume that he will be safe from the King."

That at least was a relief. But she couldn't shake the fact that she desperately wanted to see him again. It killed her to think that he wasn't alright. Now that he had calmed down, maybe she could explain to him the reason for what she had done.

But she could think of no way, save Mina, that she would be able to get a message to him. And she didn't want to put Mina in any danger.

It was possible, that she would never have another chance to see him. She knew that protecting him was the most important thing. As long as he was safe, it didn't matter how much he hated her.

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But the thought made what was left of her heart clench painfully.