Blueeyeddevil06, as always, thank you for being my beta!

"I'm marrying Serenity." Endymion announced. He laughed that their announcements were similar, but would be received differently.

Jadeite scowled, "Dang it!" Serenity looked stricken, but he didn't notice. He continued on. "The King asked Kunzite to ensure you come back engaged to her. You made his job way too easy on him! I was looking forward to watching him try to get her to fall in love with you. It would have been hilarious!" He scowled.

Zoisite rolled his eyes, "Jadeite, you're an idiot. Way to make it sound like you disapprove of their marriage at first."

Raye marched over and punched him in the arm. Jadeite yelled, "Ouch! That is where you hit me last time. I already have a bruise there!"

Raye glared at him, "I know that, stupid."

Jadeite said, "I can't believe you got her to marry you. She's too good for you."

Kunzite smiled and said, "She sure is. I was already making pleas to Hathus to bring you together."

Mina chucked, "You mean to her Aunt?"

Kunzite sobered, "It will take time getting used to that. I guess she wouldn't help me out if it wasn't in Serenity's favor then."

Endymion said, "You're right. Luckily for me, she's my soulmate."

Zoisite paled. "Huh..? She's what?"

"My soulmate."

"Do you even understand what that means? Do you get how rare that is?" Zoisite asked. "I know the math on the odds for that. They are incredibly rare." He knew not to use the actual numbers around the guys. They didn't tolerate being "talked down to" as they put it.

"But, my parents and Serenity's parents must have been soulmates." Endymion said.

Mina shook her head. "Serenity's parents weren't. Their deep bond was forged through love and respect. It was just as strong as soulmates, but they created it. Your parents weren't soulmates either. I saw your father. He doesn't have one. Again, that doesn't diminish their love. Zoisite is right. They are extremely rare."

Amy smiled at Zoisite in approval. She said, "That is true." She looked around and lowered her voice, "It also means that you will be visited by Hathus. I suspect she made sure her niece had a soulmate so she could do just that."

Mina smiled, "It would give her the excuse to meet her without alerting her father to the family connection."

Lita sighed, "Not that it matters now. He never cared about the demi-gods." She looked at Serenity and smiled though. She said, "I am glad your mother is safe." What she wouldn't say was that she believed Serenity would be a much better ruler than her mother.

Serenity took Lita's hand and said. "I know. I love how faithful you are to me. I only hope I repay you enough for your love and devotion."

Endymion chuckled, and Serenity looked startled at him. He said, "It's not possible for you to fail. You are amazing."

She blushed and smiled at him. "Can I ask if your generals can join us on our ride though the camp? It would show your support for me."

Endymion nodded and said, "Yes, we'll need to get horses saddled for them."

Serenity shook her head, "I'm sure Mina already took care of that."

"Of course, Your Highness." Mina answered.

"Your Highness. Since when do you call me that in private?"

Mina looked over Serenity's shoulder and said, "Your horses are arriving and we aren't in private anymore."

Endymion watched Serenity straighten her back and affix a smile on her face. She was obviously readying her public persona. After all, she had to face her people as their Queen for the first time, and she had just lost her mother.

They all mounted their horses and Endymion was impressed with the Royal Horse he was given. He watched Serenity atop of hers and marveled at her ability to ride such a spirited horse.

He realized his expression must have made that obvious when she said, "I have a way with horses. Or did you not notice that after I caught your Stallion?"

"Honestly, I was too distracted by fear for your safety, and then I was taken by your beauty."

"Charmer."

Endymion chuckled, "I never thought you would ever call me that. Especially after our first meeting."

She reached down and patted her horse's neck and said to him, "Make sure you ride beside me, Charmer. I want it clear that we're to marry. It will keep any women in the camp from daring to flirt with you." She lowered her voice so only he could hear. "I would hate to need to execute anyone."

He chucked and then sobered when he read her expression. "You aren't kidding."

"Don't forget I'm my father's daughter too." He saw fire burning in her eyes.

He lowered his voice, "Damn, that's sexy."

She smirked at him and then nudged her horse forward. He kept his horse in pace with hers as they set out to greet her people. His eyes darted to the hills off in the distance. Some were close enough for someone to strike with a longbow. He was about to comment about that to her when he looked at the guard that had formed around her. No matter where she was there was never a clean shot to her. She was perfectly guarded the whole time. He looked at Kunzite who nodded back to him. He had noticed too.

They began greeting her people and he was in awe of how much they loved her. People bowed to her and smiled. Some even teared up. And with every group she encountered, she dismounted and spoke to them. Endymion naturally followed suit.

The first time it happened he was nervous. He didn't know how he would be received. He figured he wouldn't be recognized as a foreign prince.

Serenity stood and addressed the people that she was greeting. "Thank you for coming to my aid. You have blessed me by your loyalty." She then smiled at them. "Meet Crowned Prince Endymion, my betrothed. He and his top men came to my aid also." She reached out and took his hand. "We fell in love while I was under his father's protection."

He watched her people stare at him and one spoke up, "Many have tried to gain her hand."

"I am aware of that. It's the reason for this war and the tragic death of her mother." Endymion replied.

The man asked, "They believe their title makes them worthy."

Endymion just laughed, "As if anyone could be worthy of her. She fell in love with me. That is the only reason I'm any different than any other man. I hardly think my falling in love with her is that unique. In fact, I left a whole castle of people who love her."

The man joined the others with their smiles. "Well said."

Very quickly after that, Endymion's words made the rounds around the camp. He was greeted with smiles after that.

The whole way through camp he noticed she was guarded, and there was never an opportunity for harm to come to her. Even if the camp had been discovered.

Part way through, Kunzite sidled up to him, "I am taking notes on her guard. I plan to add it to the training for your father's guard."

Endymion nodded, "Wise move." He then whispered, "Do you get the impression that, although they are sad about her mother's death, they prefer Serenity to be Queen?"

Kunzite nodded and whispered back, "I got that feeling too."

Zoisite walked over and bowed to Endymion.

Endymion quirked a brow, "Why so formal?"

Zoisite replied quietly, "I am about to advise something big. She should tell them now about her father."

Endymion looked startled, "What makes you say that?"

"She shouldn't start out her reign lying to these people. They would sacrifice everything for her. Do you see how they respond to her?"

Endymion nodded. "I'll speak to her about it tonight."

They spent the rest of the day greeting her people. The schedule was passed through the camp too. They would set off to war in two days time.

That night, Queen Serenity caved to convention. She wanted a private dinner with Endymion. Instead, she had dinner set up in her tent for four. Mina and Kunzite would join them as their head guards.

She and Mina walked into the tent and Endymion and Kunzite were already there. They all sat and dinner was served. Serenity dismissed the servants.

She let out a sigh and slouched as she took her first bite. "I am exhausted!"

Mina giggles and Kunzite said, "No one would have known watching you."

Mina laughed. "Well, I did, but I've known her longer. And her tricks."

Serenity smiled at her, "You did teach them to me after all. Plus, it wasn't like one in particular was a hardship."

"I bet it wasn't!"

Endymion looked puzzled. "What are you two talking about?"

"I leaned on you more and more throughout the day. The trick is to find something pleasurable to think about when you are getting tired. It makes it easier to have a genuine smile."

Mina said, "And what exactly were you thinking about?"

Serenity raised an eyebrow at her, "Endymion kissing me, of course."

He choked on his food. He couldn't believe she had been that blunt. He also grew warm. He began thinking about kissing her too.

Kunzite sighed, "Endymion, don't get any ideas. She's a Queen."

Mina rolled her eyes and glared at him, "That ship has sailed. So men can kiss whoever they want, but women can't?"

His eyes grew large, and he was about to respond, but Endymion cut him off. He said, "Think very carefully about what you say next. You actually want to be kissing Mina after all. Do you really want to discourage that?"

Kunzite shook his head, "No. Kissing is good." He looked at Endymion and said, "Go for it."

Endymion smirked, leaned over and kissed Serenity, deepening the kiss quickly. When he pulled back, he said, "There's a reason that you are my top advisor."