A/N- Hey everyone! Not really anything to say…. Just wanted to say hi. Thanks to everyone still reading and reviewing this story. It has about 6 more chapters left…
Enjoy!
Hehe- Updating as soon as possible… enjoy!
chibiangel413- I just felt like putting him in, but he grew on me more and more… he'll be in the story more towards the end as well.
Silver Moon Goddess1- Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
small876- Uh… not yet. You still have about 4 or 5 chapters… don't worry, it is coming though.
Dertupio- Thanks for reviewing, even on your vacation! I'm glad you liked the last few chapters!
Darien had rushed through his meeting. He worked quickly and more efficiently than he ever had, something that surprised everyone in the room. Within a few hours a peace treaty had been drafted along with a letter to King Jared. The letter was trusted to a messenger who quickly flew out of the room, literally. It was then decided that the treaty would stay with King Endymion until a meeting between the two forces was organized. When everyone was satisfied Darien left the room along with Malachite. Both men stopped in the kitchen to gather food for lunch before walking out into the gardens to find Serena and Mina. Both girls were sitting on a pile of pillows looking completely stunned.
"Sere? Are you ok?" Darien asked.
"What? O ya, sorry. How was your meeting?" Serena asked. She smiled and gave Darien a kiss as he sat down behind her.
"Quick, very quick." Malachite said.
"How's Jadeite doing?" Mina asked.
"He'll be up and walking around within the hour." Darien said. "Rei's been nursing him since she woke up."
"That's sweet." Serena said.
"Do Nephrite and Zoicite have mates?" Mina asked.
"They have not yet found there's unfortunately." Darien said. They'll be looking until then.
"Well, I hope that they find them soon." Serena said. "I want them to find the happiness that we have found."
"We all wish for them to." Darien returned the smile that Serena had given him.
"But what are we to do now? I mean Diamond's dead so the war should be over, shouldn't it?" Serena asked.
"Hopefully it will be. We have sent a letter to King Jared hoping that we can start the meetings as soon as we can."
"I hope that everything can be over soon. I want to be able to travel freely again." Mina said. She passed around the plates before separating all of the food. Both girls ate a bit slower than the two men as they thought over the past events and everything that they had just been told.
"I don't know how soon that will happen. Even if the treaty is signed there will be people against it and there will be those who will try to take matters into their own hands. Plus there will for certain be prejudices for decades to come. This process is going to be long and slow." Malachite said.
"But we'll all be there for each other." Mina said with a smile.
"So now we can relax until King Jared's response arrives?" Serena asked.
"Well most people can, but…"
"But? But what? Darien you are not starting another war." Serena growled.
"No, don't worry, I'm not. We're a peaceful kingdom usually. We don't want to start wars. Why do you think there are so many different kinds of were's coexisting together."
"Ok so if you aren't starting another war then why are we going to busy?" Serena asked.
"WE have a wedding to get ready for."
"Really? We can start planning it finally?" Serena asked.
"Of course, although I'm surprised you already haven't." Darien said.
"I might not have on paper, but I have in my head multiple times." Serena said. She put away her dish and brushed some crumbs off of her dress before getting up. "Um, Mina and I should get right on these plans."
"Sere, my dear?" Darien said, turning slightly to look at her.
"Hm?"
"We haven't set a date yet."
"Oh."
"And you need to learn a few customs that must go on at the wedding."
"Ok…"
"And you'll start learning these things tomorrow." Darien finished. He grabbed Serena by the waist and pulled her back down to him. "For tonight, we all relax."
"Sounds good to me." Serena said. She stretched her arms out over her head and wrapped them around Darien's neck. Darien just groaned in response and held her closer to him.
"We'll leave you two alone. I believe there are some things that Mina and I must discuss as well." Malachite said.
"Yes, like why you didn't tell me I could change into a were!" Mina growled.
"I was going to tell you, I promise. There were just a lot of things on my mind!" Malachite pleaded.
"Sure…" Mina said. Malachite rolled his eyes before pulled Mina into him and leading her out of the garden.
"When did she find out?"
"Keane told us. Of course I already knew, but it came as quite the surprise to Mina." Serena explained.
"Will I be a wolf like you?" Serena asked.
"I'd like to think so. A fur coat as golden as your hair. What a beautiful wolf you'd make."
"There's a possibility I wouldn't be?"
"I don't know. I guess there is, but all of the legends have always told of bitten becoming what the bitter was. My mother turned into a wolf just like my father and I."
"What about the real people? Do they ever have mates that are not the same species as them?"
"It's not unheard of, but it's not very common." Darien said. "It's usually hard for them, but it's not unacceptable. We try to help all we can."
"That's so nice." Serena muttered.
"Let's go relax elsewhere. It's getting a bit colder now and I don't want you catching a cold." Darien said. The two retired for the rest of the afternoon to the library where they read to each other.
oOoOoOo
"Prince Darien! A reply has come!" A foot soldier said as he came running into the banquet hall. Serena and Darien had been sitting at the head of the table with a few others at the table's lengths. The man came up and handed Darien a piece of paper. Darien unfolded it and read in silence. When he turned the page a separate letter fell onto his lap.
"Darien, what does it say?" Serena asked.
"Justin!" Darien called.
"Yes?" A soldier came to the table. "Get the generals together. We're leaving for the Lucien Plains." The last sentence was loud enough for the rest of the room to hear. People immediately started to whisper while others got up and started to get ready.
"Darien, what's going on?" Serena asked.
"King Jared has agreed to a truce." Darien explained. "What? But it's only been two days!"
"I know. He used our own messenger. The were-hawk only had enough time to sleep before returning back here."
"He must be so hungry and thirsty! Molly!" Serena called over her favorite maid.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Get a plate of food for the were-hawk as well as something to drink. Make sure there are some fruits. He needs the sugar." Serena said.
"Of course my lady." Molly ran out to ensure that the order was taken care of.
"What about the other letter?" Serena asked. Darien was about to respond when the generals came in. Mina and Rei were following them.
"We're leaving tonight for the Lucien Plains." Darien stated.
"He's already responded?" Jadeite asked.
"I told you he had!" Rei growled.
"Rei, what does the future look like? Should we be prepared?" Darien asked.
"Of course you should be ready for anything!" Keane said as he too entered the room.
"I have not been able to see anything from this meeting." Rei confessed.
"Let us be ready, but I don't want any of our weapons out in the open. I don't want our men to be considered a threat and I only want a handful of men to accompany us. Three or four at the most."
"Yes my lord."
"Darien, the other letter?" Serena pressed on.
"I'll explain a bit later, but for now you need to go get ready."
"For what?"
"You're coming with us of course. I believe your father will be accompanying King Jared."
"Really?"
"I asked for him to come along. I thought you might like to see him. Mina's father will also be there." Darien explained.
"O Darien! Thank you!" Serena cried. The feeling of homesickness that had plagued her since she had arrived with Darien at the castle evaporated as soon as Darien told her the good news.
"Now, I believe you need to get a few essentials together." Darien grinned. Serena laughed and nodded as she got up and left.