A/N- Hey everyone! Another chapter up, enjoy!
Usagi Usako Chiba- I'm glad you're enjoying it!
chibiangel413- Thanks for the review. I'm glad you're liking it!
AtlantaGeorgia- No more waiting… well except for the next one.
Silver Moon Goddess1- Thanks for the review!
starangel07- Updated!
Dertupio- Yup, I got to make it interesting!
The meetings took almost two weeks. Compromises were made and treaties were signed. There was still much to be done, but King Jared and Darien were happy with what had been completed. Over the course of the two weeks the two species started to come together. Serena had joined Darien for dinners, but spent the days with her friends. Lita and Amy had decided to go back with Serena and Mina. Both knew that they had found their true loves, and like the other couples, they didn't want to leave their mates for longer than the few hours they were currently forced to.
Serena had noticed that her father was missing only a few nights after their confrontation. She didn't want to admit that it affected her, but Darien knew it had. King Jared had noticed as well and had apologized to her personally. Serena had just nodded numbly and pressed farther into Darien's side.
"Serena, I will miss you until I see you at your wedding." King Jared said at the dawn of the last day. The tents were almost completely down and most of the group was ready to go.
"I will miss you too King Jared." Serena said.
"Sere, please don't worry about your father. He is just a stubborn man, but he still loves you." Jared said quietly. "I promise to bring you news from your mother and if I can manage, a small portrait of your brother."
"Thank you." Serena said, a small tear trickled down her cheek.
"Prince Darien, it has been a very long, but very productive." King Jared said as he grasped Darien's outstretched hand.
"That it has."
"I am very interested to meet your father." King Jared smiled.
"He is anxious to meet with you as well. Until next week." Darien said.
"Until next week then." King Jared said with a nod. Their hands dropped back to the sides and the two men left to return to their respective sides. Darien escorted Serena back to where their horses were waiting for them. The generals and Serena's friends were waiting for them and were ready to leave as soon as their leaders were ready.
"Wait, Darien. How long will it be for us to get back to the castle?" Serena asked.
"Probably two or three days. We will not be traveling all that fast." Darien replied.
"But King Jared said he would be here for our wedding in a week! That means that it will not be the day after we arrive."
"Serena, we will be arriving back later than our entourage." Darien explained.
"What? Where are we going?"
"I thought we could go see Keane. It will add another day or two to our journey so we would only be able to spend a day with him and the other monks."
"Really? We can go to the monastery?" Serena asked.
"Yes. No one from my family has been there since it was built and I think it's time we visit it once more. Plus, Keane would probably enjoy the company when he travels back for the wedding."
"You mean Keane left when we left?"
"He wished to return to his brothers for a bit." Darien explained. "We'll be separating from everyone tomorrow morning."
The next morning Darien was helping Serena onto her mare while the camp had just barely started to wake up. Serena had announced everything to the girls the night before and the generals had known for a few days. The generals were up and watching the price and princess leave.
"We will see you in a few days." Malachite grinned as Darien got on his own steed.
"Till then my friends." Darien grinned.
"Bye!" Serena said as turned her horse to face the trail that led to the monastery. Darien took off first with Serena following closely behind him. Serena kept her mare right behind his steed. They stopped near a stream for a small lunch and water break before continuing into the mountains. When night fell and Darien deemed it too dark for them to continue he found a clearing where they could stay for the night. He had made sure to pack a few blankets for them as well as some food and a change of clothes. Serena watched the horses graze on the wild grass while Darien roamed the field for sticks that he could use to make a fire. It didn't take long and he soon had a private campfire going.
Serena curled up next to Darien was they watched the fire dance in the night air. Serena had always considered herself a city girl even though her home had acres and acres and she loved riding horses, but at that moment she decided she would much rather be a country girl. "Darien?"
"Hm?"
"Have I told you I loved you today?"
"Once or twice, I'm not quiet sure." Darien said with a grin.
"Darien?"
"Hm?"
"I love you."
"I love you too. Now, let's get some sleep. We should be at the monastery after only a few hours of traveling tomorrow." Serena nodded her reply and got up to arrange the blankets while Darien doused the flames and covered the ashes with dirt. Serena was already curled up under the blankets when Darien arrived so he just slipped under them and pulled her to his chest. Before Serena let sleep take her for the night she watched as her mare and Darien's stallion curled up together as well at the edge of the clearing.
oOoOoOo
"This is beautiful." Serena said as she looked up at the monastery. Just as Darien had predicted the night before, they had arrived within a few hours of waking up that morning. The monastery was built on the side of the cliff and was built of from the stones and boulders that must have come from the cliff's face for it looked like it was built right out of the mountain side. Ivy and roses were climbing up the sides while different colored and shaped trees grew from every available spot. As the horses walked into the city Serena saw rabbits, squirrels, and other kinds of smaller forest creatures that she hadn't seen in most of her lifetime.
"Prince Darien, Princess Serena!" Keane called from an entryway. A few of his brothers were standing behind him and watching the two outsiders approach.
"Hello Keane." Darien greeted as he dismounted. He helped Serena down before they approached Keane.
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" Serena asked once she was standing before the old man.
"I'm sorry my dear, but it wasn't expected till you were leaving. I am making the journey back with you for your wedding however." Keane replied with a smile. "Now, you two must be hungry and tired and most likely sore from riding your horses for so long. Brother Fridlund, why don't you take the horses to the stables and make sure they are seen to?" One of the other monks stepped forward and took the two horses from Serena and Darien.
"Please don't separate them." Serena whispered.
"Do not worry my lady, they shall remain together. We do not like breaking apart the bonds that love creates." Brother Fridlund said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you." Serena replied with a smile. She knew there was more behind the sentence and the smile was for more than just the horses.
"Come now, you two, let's get some food in your bellies. We have a long day and night ahead of us." Keane said. For an old man, he was highly energetic and enthusiastic about everything.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked, looking between Darien and Keane.
"You have not told her?" Keane looked at Darien with surprise.
"No, not yet." Darien replied.
"What haven't you told me?" Serena asked.
"I believe lunch might be a bit longer than we expected. We shall discuss everything then." Keane said. He led Serena and Darien down the halls of the monastery, Serena occasionally stopping to look at some of the animals or flowers.
"What's that?" Serena asked before entering the dining room. She was looking over the railing at an animal foraging in the grass. It was grey with black rings around its tail, eyes, and paws.
"That my dear, is a raccoon. They were the first of the many forest creatures to find sanctuary here when the wars started. They must have left the forests around you before you were born!" Keane grinned.
"It looks like a bandit, or a robber." Serena said.
"There's a legend that says that when were-raccoons came into existence, they were originally men who had been burglars. They wanted to become better at their… occupation and decided to dabble into magic. They became were-raccoons and their animal form reflected their human occupation. Raccoons are still quite tricky animals, so you better watch out when you're near one. They might steal all of your lunch!" Keane said with a laugh.
"Are there still were-raccoons?" Serena asked.
"There haven't been any reported in many years." Darien said. Serena just nodded. She allowed herself one last glimpse at the creature before allowed Darien to escort her inside. Keane had already seen to a table being set and filled with food for his visitors so there was no time wasted waiting. Serena sat next to Darien while Keane sat across from them.
"So what was I not told?" Serena asked after filling her plate with food.
"Why you were brought here."
"Darien said we were coming her to accompany you back to the castle for our wedding."
"That's partially true. How long did he tell you it would take to get here?"
"Um, an extra day… but our entourage should be arriving at the castle today." Serena looked up at Darien confused. "Darien… what's going on?"
"Serena, you've made your decision on whether or not you want to be changed, right?" Darien asked.
"Of course. I've wanted to change since you said that it's possible. Wait; are we here for me to change?"
"My father changed my mother here; I thought it was only right." Darien said. Serena sat stunned for a bit before looking up and smiling at Darien.
