The Second Meeting
By Bashfulglowfly
Chapter Fourteen
Time passed. Trade negotiations between the Earth and the Moon and its allies proceeded. Endymion and the Shitennou did not spend all of their time on the Moon for they had duties to attend to. But they came often, either as a group or individually to spend time with the women that they loved.
One evening Endymion returned and was informed by one of the servants that Serenity was in a meeting with her mother and advisors. He asked the servant to make sure that Serenity was informed that he was here, even though he knew that she would be able to feel his presence.
He sank down on one of the sofas and began to think about what was happening back on Earth. Just before he left, King Terran told him that there was a woman who was inciting people to rebel. His father said that it was nothing to worry about, but Endymion just had this feeling…
Serenity came rushing through the door and saw that Endymion was staring off into space. She knew him and realized that whatever he was thinking about was troubling him. She sat down on the sofa next to him, curled her legs under herself and touched him lightly on the arm. He jumped slightly but smiled down at her. After a long kiss hello, she asked "Dimi, what's wrong? Something's bothering you, I can tell." Her blue eyes gazed worriedly into his.
Endymion smiled back and gently caressed her cheek then pulled her close. Resting his own cheek on the top of her head, he replied. "Oh, Sere, I'm okay. Just before I left, my father told me about a woman who is speaking falsehoods and may possibly be forming an army. She's telling people that because we are in negotiations with the Moon and because you and I are involved, Father is going to sell the people of Earth into slavery to the Moon and the other planets."
Serenity scoffed "That's stupid! Slavery is illegal anyways." She tilted her head to look at him. "Have you sent spies?"
"Yes, and she's found them out and killed them."
Serenity shivered. "That's not a good sign."
"No, it isn't." Endymion sighed. "Rumor says that she's a witch."
"Do you know what her name is?"
"Beryl."
Serenity had been studying a variety of things about Earth. She had learned that the Shitennous' names had connections to gemstones and if she remembered correctly beryl was also a gemstone. She asked Endymion about that.
"Beryl is a gemstone." He sighed, "This Beryl is claiming that she should be one of my Shitennou but was prevented from becoming a Shitennou by the Moon Kingdom. Of course, she's failed to mention that there have NEVER been five Shitennou. The Shitennou have always been four in number."
"People believe anything if you talk fast enough…at least that's what Luna says." Serenity wrapped her arms around Endymion. "Will you be able to stay long, or are you going to have to go back soon to help your father with that woman?"
He smiled and picked her up in his arms and made his way to the bedroom. "I can stay a day or two."
Weeks went by. When Endymion and the Shitennou came to the Moon they would bring grimmer tidings each time. The witch Beryl had raised an army and was conquering territory after territory. More and more people were beginning to believe her lies about what King Terran was planning. King Terran would send out soldiers to try and stop her but she would defeat them. Nephrite's kingdom of the Americas was completely lost to Beryl. The kingdoms of the other Shitennou were losing ground. More and more refugees were fleeing to the perceived safety of Atlantis.
One late morning after the Morning Court, Serenity and Endymion were walking hand in hand through the gardens. By mutual agreement, they did not speak of the war back on Earth and the suggestions by the other planets that Earth should be isolated once again.
Endymion led Serenity to a quiet corner of the garden that was their special place. It was a simple marble bench on a small patch of grass surrounded by roses that Endymion had brought from Earth. The riot of colors and fragrances surrounded them as Serenity settled down on the bench. She patted the marble next to her. "Dimi, sit down. Rest awhile."
He smiled down at her. He loved this golden moon girl more than any other person in his life. He needed her. He needed to be with her for eternity and beyond. He got down on one knee in front of her. Serenity's eyes widened as he picked up her hand. "Serenity, I don't know how people of the Moon ask someone to marry them. And to be honest, I don't really care. I love you. You hold my heart and my soul in your hands. Will you do me the honor of being my wife in this lifetime and all others we may live in?"
Tears glittered on her lashes as she smiled at him. "Yes, Endymion, I will marry you and I will be your wife in this lifetime and all others we live in!"
Endymion slid a ring onto her finger. In the center, was a rose colored, heart-shaped diamond that was surrounded by twelve smaller yet extremely clear diamonds. Serenity gasped then smiled, as she understood the symbolism. The heart shaped diamond was Endymion and herself and the twelve smaller diamonds symbolized the Senshi and the Shitennou. "It's the most lovely thing that I've ever seen!" She beamed at Endymion and opened her mouth to say more but Endymion pulled her off the bench and covered her mouth with his in celebration.
"PRINCESS SERENITY! PRINCE ENDYMION! PRINCESS! PRINCE!"
The pair froze. They both recognized the voice. It was one of Queen Serenity's trusted courtiers, one who was actually useful at Court instead of being there to be seen and to gossip. Endymion's hands gripped Serenity painfully, but she did not cry out. She turned worried eyes to his. They both knew that the courtier would not be calling for them if there was nothing wrong.
Endymion rose and held out his hand to Serenity. The pair held each other's hands tightly as they walked slowly towards the courtier who waited for them at the edge of the garden. The courtier bowed then spoke when they drew near. "Queen Serenity commands your presence immediately."
Serenity and Endymion entered Queen Serenity's private office and saw that, along with Queen Serenity, the Senshi and Shitennou as well as Artemis, Luna and Lord Makto were there. Kneeling in the center of the room was a woman, head bandaged. At their entrance, she raised her head. Endymion recognized her; it was Huna, one of his father's generals.
Huna gazed straight into Endymion's eyes, "My King…" a horrified gasp echoed throughout the room. "My King, your father and mother are dead. Murdered. By the witch Beryl."
Endymion staggered with shock. He felt Serenity wrap her arms around him to hold him up. Nephrite also grabbed hold of him. "How?" he rasped. "How could such a thing happen? They were safe in Atlantis."
"King Terran and Queen Gaia went to visit Duke Ahmed of the Middle East…"
"My Uncle?!" whispered Kunzite.
Huna turned her eyes to Kunzite. He read the truth in them and closed his own eyes in pain at the loss of his beloved uncle. Venus took hold of his hand to give him her strength.
Huna continued. "While they were there, the witch Beryl attacked. She…she burned the castle."
"How?" asked Zoicite sharply.
"My lord, I know not." Said Huna. "All I know is that the witch appeared with a army of men and demons. Duke Ahmed closed the gates and ordered the soldiers to the walls to defend. My soldiers and I were outside the wall because there was not enough room to house us. We attacked but we were outnumbered. The witch stood outside the gates, raised her staff and the castle seemed to explode! The flames rose to the sky. But the flames were not normal; they were the wrong color, dark and evil. We could hear the screams inside but before we could even blink, they were gone and there wasn't a single stone standing." She swayed with exhaustion. "We tried, My King, we tried and we failed."
Serenity could feel Endymion shake. She knew that it was not in sadness but in anger. Endymion spoke. "I am not your king." The Shitennou and General Huna looked at him in horror. He spoke again. "I am not the King of Earth. Not until there is a coronation. And there will be no coronation until the witch Beryl lies dead and her army in ruins."