Hello! This chapter will reveal a great surprise to you all.
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
PLEASE EMAIL!!!! ^_^ me and tell me what you think of this story or chapter.
My email address: ml_eclipse@hotmail.com
Usual disclaimers: Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness
belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha/Toei. English translation is made
possible by DiC and now Cloverway/Bandai (?).
= thoughts
[ ] = author's note
Rated: PG
Please enjoy!
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A Shepherd's Kiss
========================= By Cosmos ==================================
Chapter 14: Secret Memoirs
The beautiful light has long since disappeared from the cloak of the night
sky, but the burning memory of her still breathed in his soul. He stood
gazing at the pale celestial body shining forlornly in the great expanse
of space like a sunflower facing the warmth of the sun. Yet unlike the
sun, the moon provided him no warmth, only greater longing and despair.
An empty sigh escaped from him to be lost in the silence of night.
Sadly, he turned from the heavenly sphere and began to journey toward the
Western horizon…alone. Throughout those times he spent with her, he
always hoped that one day she would overcome her cold heart and love him
as he loved her. But with her departing words, he realized that perhaps
the strength of hatred was too great for love to overcome.
An empty sigh rose in his throat but he withheld it. There was no use
grieving for her now. She knew what was in his heart, but she chose to
take a different path than what he provided her. It was her decision and
there was nothing he could do. Their destinies were shaped by the choices
they made on the way…and she has made hers. Looking toward the thin line
that would mark the boundary of dawn in five hours, Endymion pushed her
image to the back of his mind. Time would cause the memories to fade, but
it could never remove her from his heart.
With eyes darkening in color, Endymion strolled on to the destiny he had
chosen long ago. It was foolish of him to ever think that he could escape
the path Destiny had selected for him on that willful night twelve years
ago.
It was a night much like this one, where the moon was at its peak in
brilliance, the sky a velvet cloak of a royal prince, and the wind a soft
whisper of warmth, but on such nights the soul could not be fooled by the
gentleness of dark nature. With the moon, there was the loneliness; the
sky has its shadows, and the wind always carried a certain bitter chill in
its warmth.
He had been trying to avoid this encounter for some time, but now he
realized his fate was inescapable. He was only heading closer toward it
by running away from it. His eyes darkened further as the memories
flooded him.
[flashback]
"Why father?!" a voice erupted from the old library. "Why did you choose
him over me?"
A young boy of ten stood listening intently to the disturbing conversation
held within those thick oak doors. The dark shadows hid his intent blue
eyes that were filled with grief.
"I am the oldest one," the raging voice protested, "I should be the crown
ruler of Earth. It is my destiny to be King."
"You are wrong Darius," an older voice replied. "Being older does not mean
you are automatically entitled to be King."
"Yes it does father!" Darius retorted, "That is how all Kings are
selected. You were the eldest that's why you are now King."
"That was the decision of the previous Kings," his father replied, "but I
intend to change that."
"Why?" his son hissed. "Why are you denying me my rightful place to the
throne?"
"I know you too well, Darius," his father said in a grave voice. "Your
heart does not suit one who would make a good ruler. It is for the better
of the kingdom that I have made this decision."
"How could you father?" Darius said his voice almost in tears, "How could
you do this to your own son?"
"Please understand Darius," his father tried to explain, his voice
conveying all the grief he felt in having to make this decision, "but
your actions have proven to me that you only think for the better of your
own heart and not for the Kingdom of Earth and its people."
"If it was about the Silence Kingdom, then it was not my fault," Darius
tried to explain, "I-"
The young child suddenly heard a loud bang as a fist slammed onto the hard
surface of the mahogany table, causing him to jump back in shock. "What
is happening?" he whispered. "Why is father and Darius arguing?"
"Do not try to deny what was entirely your doing, Darius!" his father
yelled, anger evident in his voice. "It is your trickery that has now
caused the coup d'état on Saturn. It has been nearly a year now and the
war has yet to see an end." (Unknowingly, it would be six more years
before that bloody war would end; and the conclusion would see the death
of its rulers and the disappearance of their two-year old princess.)
Darius grumbled at his father's supposed ignorance, "What I did was for
the better of our Kingdom! Can't you see that father? With all the wealth
we could gain from Saturn, Earth could soon surpass even the Moon."
"No," his father said in a low grave voice, "all you will gain from greed
is destruction and pain. It is the happiness of our people that makes our
kingdom wealthy and strong."
"Happiness does not make our kingdom any more powerful, father!" his son
retorted. "Only our willful actions get us anywhere. Have you seen a
jester become a King simply because he was always happy?"
"A jester has a painted face, my son," his father replied in an exhausted
voice. "What you see is only what he wants you to see. His real soul is
hidden behind his false smile."
"Father--!"
"Look Darius!" his father interrupted him angrily, "you are blinding
yourself from seeing what is truly behind your intention. You make up
moral reasons believing that that is what you are truly carrying out.
You don't see that behind your reasons what you really want is to gain
greater prominence in the galaxy for your own fame and not for the
kingdom."
"How could you father," Darius whispered in a hurt voice, but anger was
evident as well. "You would call your own son a selfish fool?!"
"I'm not-"
"You would prevent his happiness from coming true?"
"Look Dar-"
"No father!" Darius yelled, "I have heard enough! I know you conspire with
my brother so that I would be denied my crown. It is *you* who is
selfish, not me! You are bend on hurting me…both of you!" Darius turned
and stormed out of the room. Unaware, he stomped right past a young boy
hiding silently behind the open door.
About to come out of his hiding place, the boy immediately stopped when he
heard his father approached the doorway. Remaining silent he listened to
his father's painful words, "If only you'd understand, Darius," his father
whispered to himself unsuspecting that another tormented soul was
listening nearby, "I did this for your benefit. I can see if you were
allowed to have a taste of what power is, then I would lose you to your
dark heart. And I do not want that."
Slowly the old king made his way toward his bedroom down the long dark
hall. Intense blue eyes watched his receding back with great sorrow.
At the end of the hallway, the young boy saw this tired soul melt into the
shadows as if it and they were one. It was a strange sight to behold,
and it felt almost like a premonition of some unknown future.
The child let out an inaudible sigh of grief as he stepped toward the
large open window yawning before him. The vast velvet sky opened before
his solemn gaze like a painting suddenly revealed to its creator. The
magnificent pale moon hovered in the fabric of heaven as if an invisible
hand held it there.
Stepping closer to the glass structure, he pushed the window open and
closed his eyes in contentment allowing the warm breeze to sooth his
soul. The soft ebony locks of his hair waved back and forth in front of
his closed eyes carelessly. The pale moonlight shifted to reveal a young
face that held the promise of future greatness.
[end flashback]
"Father…," Endymion whispered as the memories forced their way through to
the surface of his mind like the sun peering over the horizon before him.
"If I had known that night would be the last time I would see you…I would
have given you a son's valediction. But it was not in my power to know
what the near future held for me, nor was it in my thoughts to have
suspected that my dear brother would do such a thing to me…that he would
betray me for the greed in his heart."
[flashback]
Were they arguing about me? the young boy thought. But why? What
could I have possibly done to create such turmoil between my father and
brother? Solemn blue eyes glanced toward the doorway concealed by
darkness located at the far end of the hall, where his father's figure
had vanished moments earlier. He continued to gaze with confusion and
misery at his parents' room.
"Did I do something wrong, father?" he asked, "Did I cause this rift
between you and Darius?" He remained silent as if expecting an answer
from someone beyond the shadows, but all he received was the dark silence
as a reply. "I do not want to be king, father," he whispered forlornly,
"especially not when it would cause such a painful conflict between you
and Darius." Sighing again, he murmured, "I have never wanted this.
Father…why did you chose me?"
With slumped shoulders and a long face, the young boy turned around
and began to walk toward his bedroom. From within the shadows behind him,
the silky trimmings of a pale blue dress could be seen caught in the
light of the moon. The silhouette continued to watch him even after he
closed the door to his room. A faint light suddenly glowed from the
necklace around her chest as a golden crystal suddenly activated. In
her mind, she saw flickers of images that broke her heart and brought
tears to her misty-blue eyes: one son would have his future taken from
him by the hand he loved most dear…the other by the darkness he nurtured
in his heart…the fall of a great kingdom to oppression and revolution…the
destruction of another kingdom…the grievance of one daughter…and finally,
the battle between two brothers. So much was revealed to her that she
fell onto her knees beneath the weight of such foreknowledge, while
uncontrollable streams of sorrow flowed down her pale cheeks.
Uttered with desperation to cling onto remnants of fading hope, these
were the words that escaped between her trembling lips, "Lady Fates be
kind…"
Unexpected, the soft tapping of footsteps caught her attention. She
looked up in time to see a tall shadow disappear into the bedroom of
the young boy. Suspicion quickly settled onto her lovely features as
the strangeness of such an action caught her attention. Suddenly she
heard a muffled cry before silence settled in. Emerging from within the
dark chamber, the obscured figure carried the body of the room's occupant
in its arms. Sneaking silently away as it came, the shadow disappeared
around a bend in the hall.
Remaining where she was with her body momentarily disabled by shock,
she slowly reviewed what she had just witnessed. He has been
kidnapped! her mind was screaming at her, but her body refused to move.
You must save him, her mind yelled at her again trying desperately
to awaken her from her immobile state. Your son, her mind said,
you must save him.
"But which one?" she asked in bewilderment. "They are both my sons."
You must choose, her mind said gravely. You have seen what may be.
Now you must choose what shall be.
"But the future is not up to me to decide," she cried, "I shall not play
god here."
No you shan't, her mind said, but you shall be Destiny's messenger,
a catalyst for the events to come.
With burning tears streaming down her cheeks, she glanced out of the
window toward the drab landscape below, where a dark figure was retreating
with its captive toward the forest. With fists clenched tight and a heart
capped in ice, the Queen of Earth made her decision. Of the two she held
dear to her heart, she must save one and betray the other. Her decision
here would decide what the future of her kingdom would be, but most
importantly, what the fate of her own tortured heart should be.
She pulled the navy-blue cloak around her with its large hood over her
ebony hair and stole silently into the night behind the mysterious
shadow.
After almost a half-hour of ducking and sneaking, she finally found
herself in a small clearance deep within the heart of the ancient forest.
Watching from behind the rough bark of a red wood, she saw the figure
placed the body of the young boy onto a slab of rock jutting out from the
ground at an angle, evidently the child was unconscious from the blow he
received earlier in the room. Bending over the child, the stranger's face
got caught in the moonlight, which reflected upon dark-green hair and
burning sea-green eyes.
She quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the cry of shock that
rose in her throat. She had suspected it would be him, but actually
seeing him before her brought about such inexplicable astonishment that
she barely was able to prevent the cry from escaping. While following
him all this time, she tried to deny what she knew was true, but now all
the denials in the world could not erase the truth she saw before her
eyes. The treachery of her eldest son was as clear as day. Standing
only a short distance away, she saw such a dark look in Darius' eyes as
he gazed blankly at the unconscious body of his young brother. A flicker
of emotion rose in his eyes, but a flicker was all it was. As soon as it
has arisen, the emotion was quickly stomped out.
"I never wanted it to come to this, dear brother," Darius spoke, a hint of
regret rose in his throat, "but if you were in my position you'd probably
do the same." He fell silent for a moment before continuing, "It is for
the better of the kingdom," he lied to himself. Slowly, he turned and
walked away leaving his brother to whatever fate this cold forest held
for him.
Once Darius was gone, she stepped out into the pale moonlight. The light
caught the blue cloaked figure as she walked slowly toward her young son
lying innocently on the cold rock slab. The heavy hood fell over her face
shielding it in total darkness.
Holding out a frail hand, she stroked her son's cold cheek lovingly as a
mother would do. Tears trickled down her face with the knowledge of a
decision she must carry out tonight. Gathering his small body into her
arms and wrapping the heavy cloak around him to provide him warmth, she
could feel the steady beating of his heart against hers. His soft
breathing comforted her by giving the knowledge that he was still alive
and well. Closing her eyes in deep concentration, she summoned the power
of the golden crystal. In an explosion of golden light, mother and child
disappeared from the forest, leaving not a single trace of their existence
behind.
In another kingdom separated by the great distance of space, the two
figures appeared in another shower of light. With her precious bundle
still in her arms, she walked hastily to the nearest village. Her
misty-blue eyes gazed out from beneath the dark hood, devoid of emotions
except infinite grief. Her stride was purposeful and strong. She refused
to let her sorrow overcome her, not now when her very actions were
shaping the future that her son would later live in.
She approached the closest dwelling, which was a small log cabin, probably
occupied by some peasant farmer. Pulling the cloak further down to
better conceal her face, she made a small rapping on the door.
For a moment no one answered and she feared she chanced upon an empty home,
but her fear was soon erased as the door slowly opened. A pale yellow
light of a single lantern peered out from the opening.
"Who is there?" a gentle voice asked.
She looked up to see a kind face with lovely maroon eyes and blue-black
hair tied up in a neat bundle at the nape of her neck. The woman was
young, no more than twenty-five from her looks and the sound of her
voice. Behind her appeared a young man of twenty-six with white hair and
blue eyes.
They both gazed in shock at the dark cloaked figure standing before them
late in the night. Their attention quickly fell onto the beautiful face
of a young boy no more than ten, held protectively in the figure's arms.
"Can we help you?" the husband asked.
He tried to look at the face of the stranger but the shadows and the hood
hid it from his view. His wife, however, noticed powerful misty-blue eyes
gazing from beneath the cover of the dark hood, eyes that she would later
see again shining from the face of the young boy the stranger held in her
arms.
"Yes," the voice of a woman floated to them, "there is one thing you can
do to help me."
The couple waited for the stranger to continue. Somehow, deep within
their soul they knew their very future was changing by this single night
encounter. They knew a great responsibility would soon be passed onto
them.
"Please take care of him," the woman continued in a voice choked by
grief. "I ask humbly that you care and protect him as if he was your own
son, that is all I ask of you."
"But-," the young man said.
"Please," the figure interrupted, "it is best you do not ask me any
questions. I know this is strange but it is something you both are
destined to do. All the answers will come in due time. Only now, take
him in under your wings and raise him well to become an intelligent and
kind young man. As payment for my gratefulness, I will give you this."
She opened her palm and in a flash of light, a large bag of money
appeared. "This will cover all the expenses you'll need to raise him,
in addition there are extras for you both as well for your kindness."
The couple gazed in surprise at the unnatural power this stranger was
displaying before them. Obviously, this woman was not a normal peasant
woman, and with the look of her valuable cloak, it would have been guessed
that she was not a peasant woman at all.
"No," the wife said softly, "if you want us to care for the boy then
that we would gladly do, but no payment is necessary."
A warm smile rose beneath the shadows. "Thank you," she whispered to
them. "I see that you will care for him well. Now my soul is content
and my heart assured of his well-being."
Handing the boy over to the husband, she gazed briefly at the face of
her son for the last time. She held out a pale hand and stroked his soft
cheeks once again. A tear escaped from her eye and trickled down her
cheek. Her expression was so sad that even the shadows failed to hide
it. The couple watched with heavy hearts for it was obvious to them that
this woman loved this child dearly.
"I see that you love him very much," the wife spoke, "then why give
him to us? Why don't *you* care for him?"
"It is not my fate to rear him," the woman whispered mournfully. "To
give him life yes, but to care for him, no."
Eyes widened as the couple realized this woman was the boy's mother.
"This is the best thing I can do for him now," she continued. "He will
not remember anything when he awakens, and I ask that you tell him none
of this until he chooses to know himself. Once he seeks to know about
his past, then his memories will return." A brief pause ensued before
she continued, "However, I do want you to tell him one thing. His name.
Of anything he should later remember, I want him to know his name most
of all."
"What is his name," the husband asked gently.
"His name," the woman spoke grievously with her eyes never leaving her
child's face, "is Endymion."
"Does he not have a last name?"
"His last name is his history. He will remember it when he chooses to
accept it," with that the woman turned and began to stroll away.
"Wait," the wife cried out, "would you tell us who you are?"
Without looking back, she replied in a forlorn voice, "Only a shadow…I
am only a wandering shadow," and she disappeared into the darkness of
the night. From the distance, the couple could see a flash of golden
light then all returned to darkness once again.
"I wonder who she really was?" the husband whispered.
"I don't know," his wife replied as she gazed at the young boy left in
their care, "but she was truly a great mother to have made such a
sacrifice like this despite the pain she must suffer."
"A sacrifice?"
"Yes, Artemis," his wife gazed back toward the dark exterior, "I believe
it was a sacrifice…for her son. Whatever the reason, I don't think we
shall ever know."
Going over toward a crib lying by an open fire, the young woman reached
in and held out a beautiful infant of only two months. Carrying the baby
gently, she went over to the bed where the young boy was placed. "Look
Diana," she whispered to the baby, "you have an older brother now."
Upon returning to Earth, she looked back up at the moon where her son
now slept hidden from the danger of his past, at least for now. Later,
she knew he would seek to know about his memories, but by that time she
hoped all danger would have past. The visions she saw of the
destruction of her kingdom and that of another, she now hoped would
not come true. Now that she had changed the course of destiny, things
might turn out differently. But she should not have believed so.
As her soul had told her, she was only a messenger of Destiny. Her
actions have lead history to unfold in the correct direction.
She turned her gaze from the moon and looked toward her palace residing
in the distance. Tears fell from her eyes as she thought about her dear
husband whom she would soon leave behind. But with her guilt and sorrow
about her actions to both of her sons, she could not continue on.
Instead, the southern horizon would become her tombstone; and its
stony cliff along with the cold ocean waves would be her grave.
Closing her eyes, she opened them again only to see herself standing by
the edge of the southern cliff. Looking down from its extreme height,
she gazed blankly at the pitiless waves lapping hungrily up at her.
With eyes shut once again, her hands reached up to enclose around the
golden crystal hung about her neck. Its powers flared up in a brilliance
of golden light, engulfing her completely within its warm embrace as
if to say farewell to a dear friend. When the light disappeared,
nothing remained of her. Only the empty air occupied the space her
presence once graced. The cold waves lapped at the cliff's edge
without a pause to mourn her passing. Even the crystal around her
neck disappeared. Yet, deep within the heart of that cliff, it crystal
resided…waiting for the day when the Destined One should return to
reclaim his past.
[end flashback]
Five years would pass before he would come to know of his true history.
And it would be many years more that he would come to know of his mother's
death. But it would only be a whisper from the wind. Beyond that he
would never know of the great tragedy that lay in his mother's dear heart.
Even now Endymion did not know of his last name. The name he went by,
Sheppard, actually belonged to his adopted parents'. It was not his
real name. He knew of his father, his brother, and his royal status, but
his last name was still hidden from him. Since it would appear only
when he has accepted his fate, this would indicate that he was still
trying to oppose his destiny.
However, as he traveled on toward the western horizon, he slowly realized
what he must do. In hoping that he could deny his past and accept
his adopted life, he was only fooling himself and create greater grief
to those he owed his life and those he was born to protect. One could
only run so long from Destiny. Eventually, Endymion came to accept his
fate. And as the golden disk of dawn unfolded before him, so did his
last name…Tellurian.
"We must find a way to save him," Haruka cried out angrily.
"Of course we all want to save him," Rei said with frustration, "but do
you know where he is being held?"
"Besides," Diana whispered beside the raven hair girl, "it has been over
three days. I…I don't know if he is still alive." Tears slipped from her
eyes.
"Don't you dare think that," Haruka said. "He *is* alive damnit! I won't
tolerate such thinking around here."
"And Serenity," Rei said, "she has not returned either. I fear for her
well-being also."
The three fell silent. The whistling wind blew around them as they sat
alone together within a small cave apart from the rest of their clan.
"We will save them," Haruka said determinedly, "somehow, we will bring
them back."
"There is no need," a low voice spoke from outside the cave.
"What?" Rei said as she shielded her eyes from the blinding sunlight
coming in from the cave's mouth.
"En…Endymion?" Diana said hesitantly, fearing that this was only a trickery
of some kind.
"Who else do you think it is?" he said with a small laughter.
"Endymion!" his sister screamed. "Oh my goodness! You are here! You are
alive!" She jumped to her feet and ran to embrace him.
Laughing joyously, he held his sister in his strong arms. "I have
missed you Diana."
"I missed you so much, dear brother," she whispered into his chest as
tears soaked his torn shirt.
"Endymion," Haruka whispered in silent happiness.
"We have thought you would never return," Rei said quietly as she wiped
tears of happiness from her eyes. "I'm so glad you are alright."
He looked up and smiled, but the older women noticed the touch of sorrow
in his eyes.
"Did something happen Endymion?" Rei asked slightly troubled by his
sorrowful expression.
"If its about Serenity," Haruka said hastily, "she may still be at the
Northern Post."
"No," Endymion shook his head depressingly as he let go of his sister,
who watched him with great concern, "she is gone."
Their eyes widened in surprise, but before any of them could speak a
word, he explained everything to them, from his imprisonment by Snafu,
to the battle with Silica, and to Serenity's final farewell.
"But…but why?" a small voice interrupted them.
Endymion turned around and saw Hotaru look at him with tears in her
eyes. "Why would she leave us?"
"There was something she must do, Hotaru," Endymion said softly as he
held the child in his arms. "We cannot force her to stay with us when
her soul must be somewhere else."
"But she could be in serious danger trying to avenge her parents' death
alone."
"It is what she chose to do," Endymion said. "All we can do is respect
her decision."
"No Endymion," Haruka yelled at him angrily, "We must help her. She has
done so much for us, we can't let her go and fight alone."
Endymion remained silent.
"Hey, don't let her go in there!" someone yelled from the outside.
"Catch the traitor!"
They turned in time to see the form of a young girl took a tumble at the
entryway. Rushing toward her, Endymion found to his surprise that it
was Faith.
"Endymion?" she whispered in shock.
His eyes narrowed as a cold look surfaced in those blue gems. He stood
looking down at her with an air of indifference.
"Grab her!" he heard Diana commanded behind him.
"No!" he said with raised hand.
"But Endymion-"
"No." Looking back down at the frightened girl, he asked in a tone that
made her flinch back with fear, "Why are you here?"
Gathering her legs beneath her, she pleaded, "Endymion please, let me
explain!"
"There is nothing to explain," he said coldly.
"Please Endymion," she grabbed the lower leg of his pants, "just hear me
out!"
"Don't listen to her Endymion," Haruka warned. "She'd probably lie just
like the last time."
"No, I won't," Faith cried out desperately, "not this time."
"Why is it different now?" Rei asked hatefully.
"Be…because," Faith stuttered, "Snafu is dead and my father is now finally
free."
Her words sparked curiosity in him, with his steely gaze still
penetrating her pleading one, he spoke, "Explain."
"I have never meant to betray any of you," Faith began as the people
gathered around her with hate and suspicion clearly written on their
faces. "My father was a farmer working for Snafu's parents when they
were alive. He cared for all their farmlands, seeing to the yearly
growth and harvest. However, when the Lord and Lady caught a lethal
illness, they left everything to the hands of their eldest daughter, but
Silica left all the household running and most of her power in the hands
of her young sister Snafu, but-"
"Wait," Diana interrupted, "are you saying that Major Silica and Lady
Snafu are sisters?"
"That is exactly right."
"Cut to the chase," Haruka said impatiently.
Looking at them for a moment, Faith continued in a sad voice, "In short,
Snafu wanted me to be a spy in your camp. She wanted to capture the
leader of Era so that she could appease the King in order to gain greater
wealth and power. She had my father imprisoned and threatened to kill him
if I do not do what I was told and complete my mission." Faith paused as
tears flowed from her eyes, "I had dodged her for several months in order
to protect you all from discovery, but when her two workers escaped, she
grew furious and demanded I complete my mission immediately or my father
would die."
A long pause ensued, but soon Haruka's voice broke the heavy silence, "Do
you expect us to believe this?"
"I *ask* that you believe me," Faith looked up with teary eyes. "I pray
that you would understand. Why did you think I came back?" Turning her
attention to Endymion she suddenly confessed her heart to him, "I love
you, Endymion!"
She noticed his eyes widened in surprise, but she continued, "I would
never willingly betray you. I would rather die than ever think of
betraying you. But my poor father…what could I have done?"
Endymion gazed at her sympathetically, but he did not respond.
Taking his silence as further hatred, she whispered in a low voice, "I
knew I could never regain the trust you all bestowed on me once, but I
could not continue on living without knowing that you have forgiven me."
Tears streamed down her face. "I only ask for your forgiveness," she
begged. "Just one word and I am satisfied."
Looking down at her, the hardness in his gaze soon diminished. He could
not continue hating her. With the look of sincerity and deep regret in
her eyes, he knew her tale was true…and he also knew her love was true.
Here was a heart that was willing to love him in return, perhaps she was
meant for him after all, not Serenity.
The thought of Serenity brought a terrible aching in his heart as well as
an infinite longing. No, he thought, I do not love her. Serenity
is the only one I can ever give my heart and soul to. I cannot except her
love and live a lie.
Bending down, he held Faith's hand in his. A smile never reached his lips,
but the warmth of friendship did reach his voice. "I forgive you,"
he said.
"Thank you, Endymion."
Nodding, he let her hand go which made her smile disappear. Looking
down he asked, "Will you be joining us for dinner?"
Standing up, she shook her head sadly, "No, I have lost my position among
you as a friend. No matter what, I know I will never be able to regain
that trust I have lost. So I have decided to return to my home and help
my father with our farm. Perhaps, with time, I can learn to forgive
myself as well."
Endymion nodded understandingly along with his comrades. "I undestand.
My warm wishes to you and your father."
"Thank you," Faith whispered in a small voice. She gave her former
companions a sad glance before turning and walked away.
With everyone safe, the group sat around the fire and chatted merrily as
the food was passed around. Warm orange light danced on their smiling
faces, partially erasing the haggard expression that once resided on them.
Sitting on a rocky ledge, slightly above the group, Endymion observed with
silent eyes the happiness of his friends. Their safety, their reunion,
their very existence was all owed to Serenity. Haruka later conveyed to
him how Serenity had helped her free the others.
His solemn gaze shifted to look at the crescent moon hanging in the dark
sky. "Serenity…" he whispered her name with great longing. The words of
their last conversation rose to his mind:
'Why must you be so stubborn?' he yelled at her. 'I can heal you.'
'No', she said softly, 'no one can truly heal my wounds.'
"I can," he whispered to the moon, "but you would not let me."
"Thinking about her again, dear brother?" Diana spoke as she reached him.
He did not respond.
"I believe we all have thought about her sometime today," she continued,
unaffected by his silence. "I have my share. I considered her a dear
friend, almost like a sister."
Endymion looked down in surprise, but Diana did not notice his gaze.
Instead, her attention was captured by the bright sliver in the sky.
She continued, "I knew she never said much to me and her countenance
was always cold and distant, but looking in her eyes…I knew she cared."
Endymion returned his gaze to the moon.
"Go help her brother," he suddenly heard his sister say. "All she needs
is someone to free her from the ice that surrounds her heart," Diana
quietly added, "and I know it is you she has been waiting for."
He looked at her in surprise, but a smile rose to his lips. Looking
back at the moon, his gaze grew with determination and hope.
========================================================================
[Well...nice little twist to the story isn't it?
First you thought he was a shepherd...then a rebel...now a Prince?
*pull out the drums* Alright everyone next week the finale to this story
will finally be unveiled.
Next week Chapter 15...Finale to A Shepherd's Kiss...!!!
But I have to warn you, it will be a long one. ^_^]
===========================================
Copyright (c) 2000, Cosmos.
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
PLEASE EMAIL!!!! ^_^ me and tell me what you think of this story or chapter.
My email address: ml_eclipse@hotmail.com
Usual disclaimers: Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness
belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha/Toei. English translation is made
possible by DiC and now Cloverway/Bandai (?).
= thoughts
[ ] = author's note
Rated: PG
Please enjoy!
============================================================================
A Shepherd's Kiss
========================= By Cosmos ==================================
Chapter 14: Secret Memoirs
The beautiful light has long since disappeared from the cloak of the night
sky, but the burning memory of her still breathed in his soul. He stood
gazing at the pale celestial body shining forlornly in the great expanse
of space like a sunflower facing the warmth of the sun. Yet unlike the
sun, the moon provided him no warmth, only greater longing and despair.
An empty sigh escaped from him to be lost in the silence of night.
Sadly, he turned from the heavenly sphere and began to journey toward the
Western horizon…alone. Throughout those times he spent with her, he
always hoped that one day she would overcome her cold heart and love him
as he loved her. But with her departing words, he realized that perhaps
the strength of hatred was too great for love to overcome.
An empty sigh rose in his throat but he withheld it. There was no use
grieving for her now. She knew what was in his heart, but she chose to
take a different path than what he provided her. It was her decision and
there was nothing he could do. Their destinies were shaped by the choices
they made on the way…and she has made hers. Looking toward the thin line
that would mark the boundary of dawn in five hours, Endymion pushed her
image to the back of his mind. Time would cause the memories to fade, but
it could never remove her from his heart.
With eyes darkening in color, Endymion strolled on to the destiny he had
chosen long ago. It was foolish of him to ever think that he could escape
the path Destiny had selected for him on that willful night twelve years
ago.
It was a night much like this one, where the moon was at its peak in
brilliance, the sky a velvet cloak of a royal prince, and the wind a soft
whisper of warmth, but on such nights the soul could not be fooled by the
gentleness of dark nature. With the moon, there was the loneliness; the
sky has its shadows, and the wind always carried a certain bitter chill in
its warmth.
He had been trying to avoid this encounter for some time, but now he
realized his fate was inescapable. He was only heading closer toward it
by running away from it. His eyes darkened further as the memories
flooded him.
[flashback]
"Why father?!" a voice erupted from the old library. "Why did you choose
him over me?"
A young boy of ten stood listening intently to the disturbing conversation
held within those thick oak doors. The dark shadows hid his intent blue
eyes that were filled with grief.
"I am the oldest one," the raging voice protested, "I should be the crown
ruler of Earth. It is my destiny to be King."
"You are wrong Darius," an older voice replied. "Being older does not mean
you are automatically entitled to be King."
"Yes it does father!" Darius retorted, "That is how all Kings are
selected. You were the eldest that's why you are now King."
"That was the decision of the previous Kings," his father replied, "but I
intend to change that."
"Why?" his son hissed. "Why are you denying me my rightful place to the
throne?"
"I know you too well, Darius," his father said in a grave voice. "Your
heart does not suit one who would make a good ruler. It is for the better
of the kingdom that I have made this decision."
"How could you father?" Darius said his voice almost in tears, "How could
you do this to your own son?"
"Please understand Darius," his father tried to explain, his voice
conveying all the grief he felt in having to make this decision, "but
your actions have proven to me that you only think for the better of your
own heart and not for the Kingdom of Earth and its people."
"If it was about the Silence Kingdom, then it was not my fault," Darius
tried to explain, "I-"
The young child suddenly heard a loud bang as a fist slammed onto the hard
surface of the mahogany table, causing him to jump back in shock. "What
is happening?" he whispered. "Why is father and Darius arguing?"
"Do not try to deny what was entirely your doing, Darius!" his father
yelled, anger evident in his voice. "It is your trickery that has now
caused the coup d'état on Saturn. It has been nearly a year now and the
war has yet to see an end." (Unknowingly, it would be six more years
before that bloody war would end; and the conclusion would see the death
of its rulers and the disappearance of their two-year old princess.)
Darius grumbled at his father's supposed ignorance, "What I did was for
the better of our Kingdom! Can't you see that father? With all the wealth
we could gain from Saturn, Earth could soon surpass even the Moon."
"No," his father said in a low grave voice, "all you will gain from greed
is destruction and pain. It is the happiness of our people that makes our
kingdom wealthy and strong."
"Happiness does not make our kingdom any more powerful, father!" his son
retorted. "Only our willful actions get us anywhere. Have you seen a
jester become a King simply because he was always happy?"
"A jester has a painted face, my son," his father replied in an exhausted
voice. "What you see is only what he wants you to see. His real soul is
hidden behind his false smile."
"Father--!"
"Look Darius!" his father interrupted him angrily, "you are blinding
yourself from seeing what is truly behind your intention. You make up
moral reasons believing that that is what you are truly carrying out.
You don't see that behind your reasons what you really want is to gain
greater prominence in the galaxy for your own fame and not for the
kingdom."
"How could you father," Darius whispered in a hurt voice, but anger was
evident as well. "You would call your own son a selfish fool?!"
"I'm not-"
"You would prevent his happiness from coming true?"
"Look Dar-"
"No father!" Darius yelled, "I have heard enough! I know you conspire with
my brother so that I would be denied my crown. It is *you* who is
selfish, not me! You are bend on hurting me…both of you!" Darius turned
and stormed out of the room. Unaware, he stomped right past a young boy
hiding silently behind the open door.
About to come out of his hiding place, the boy immediately stopped when he
heard his father approached the doorway. Remaining silent he listened to
his father's painful words, "If only you'd understand, Darius," his father
whispered to himself unsuspecting that another tormented soul was
listening nearby, "I did this for your benefit. I can see if you were
allowed to have a taste of what power is, then I would lose you to your
dark heart. And I do not want that."
Slowly the old king made his way toward his bedroom down the long dark
hall. Intense blue eyes watched his receding back with great sorrow.
At the end of the hallway, the young boy saw this tired soul melt into the
shadows as if it and they were one. It was a strange sight to behold,
and it felt almost like a premonition of some unknown future.
The child let out an inaudible sigh of grief as he stepped toward the
large open window yawning before him. The vast velvet sky opened before
his solemn gaze like a painting suddenly revealed to its creator. The
magnificent pale moon hovered in the fabric of heaven as if an invisible
hand held it there.
Stepping closer to the glass structure, he pushed the window open and
closed his eyes in contentment allowing the warm breeze to sooth his
soul. The soft ebony locks of his hair waved back and forth in front of
his closed eyes carelessly. The pale moonlight shifted to reveal a young
face that held the promise of future greatness.
[end flashback]
"Father…," Endymion whispered as the memories forced their way through to
the surface of his mind like the sun peering over the horizon before him.
"If I had known that night would be the last time I would see you…I would
have given you a son's valediction. But it was not in my power to know
what the near future held for me, nor was it in my thoughts to have
suspected that my dear brother would do such a thing to me…that he would
betray me for the greed in his heart."
[flashback]
Were they arguing about me? the young boy thought. But why? What
could I have possibly done to create such turmoil between my father and
brother? Solemn blue eyes glanced toward the doorway concealed by
darkness located at the far end of the hall, where his father's figure
had vanished moments earlier. He continued to gaze with confusion and
misery at his parents' room.
"Did I do something wrong, father?" he asked, "Did I cause this rift
between you and Darius?" He remained silent as if expecting an answer
from someone beyond the shadows, but all he received was the dark silence
as a reply. "I do not want to be king, father," he whispered forlornly,
"especially not when it would cause such a painful conflict between you
and Darius." Sighing again, he murmured, "I have never wanted this.
Father…why did you chose me?"
With slumped shoulders and a long face, the young boy turned around
and began to walk toward his bedroom. From within the shadows behind him,
the silky trimmings of a pale blue dress could be seen caught in the
light of the moon. The silhouette continued to watch him even after he
closed the door to his room. A faint light suddenly glowed from the
necklace around her chest as a golden crystal suddenly activated. In
her mind, she saw flickers of images that broke her heart and brought
tears to her misty-blue eyes: one son would have his future taken from
him by the hand he loved most dear…the other by the darkness he nurtured
in his heart…the fall of a great kingdom to oppression and revolution…the
destruction of another kingdom…the grievance of one daughter…and finally,
the battle between two brothers. So much was revealed to her that she
fell onto her knees beneath the weight of such foreknowledge, while
uncontrollable streams of sorrow flowed down her pale cheeks.
Uttered with desperation to cling onto remnants of fading hope, these
were the words that escaped between her trembling lips, "Lady Fates be
kind…"
Unexpected, the soft tapping of footsteps caught her attention. She
looked up in time to see a tall shadow disappear into the bedroom of
the young boy. Suspicion quickly settled onto her lovely features as
the strangeness of such an action caught her attention. Suddenly she
heard a muffled cry before silence settled in. Emerging from within the
dark chamber, the obscured figure carried the body of the room's occupant
in its arms. Sneaking silently away as it came, the shadow disappeared
around a bend in the hall.
Remaining where she was with her body momentarily disabled by shock,
she slowly reviewed what she had just witnessed. He has been
kidnapped! her mind was screaming at her, but her body refused to move.
You must save him, her mind yelled at her again trying desperately
to awaken her from her immobile state. Your son, her mind said,
you must save him.
"But which one?" she asked in bewilderment. "They are both my sons."
You must choose, her mind said gravely. You have seen what may be.
Now you must choose what shall be.
"But the future is not up to me to decide," she cried, "I shall not play
god here."
No you shan't, her mind said, but you shall be Destiny's messenger,
a catalyst for the events to come.
With burning tears streaming down her cheeks, she glanced out of the
window toward the drab landscape below, where a dark figure was retreating
with its captive toward the forest. With fists clenched tight and a heart
capped in ice, the Queen of Earth made her decision. Of the two she held
dear to her heart, she must save one and betray the other. Her decision
here would decide what the future of her kingdom would be, but most
importantly, what the fate of her own tortured heart should be.
She pulled the navy-blue cloak around her with its large hood over her
ebony hair and stole silently into the night behind the mysterious
shadow.
After almost a half-hour of ducking and sneaking, she finally found
herself in a small clearance deep within the heart of the ancient forest.
Watching from behind the rough bark of a red wood, she saw the figure
placed the body of the young boy onto a slab of rock jutting out from the
ground at an angle, evidently the child was unconscious from the blow he
received earlier in the room. Bending over the child, the stranger's face
got caught in the moonlight, which reflected upon dark-green hair and
burning sea-green eyes.
She quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the cry of shock that
rose in her throat. She had suspected it would be him, but actually
seeing him before her brought about such inexplicable astonishment that
she barely was able to prevent the cry from escaping. While following
him all this time, she tried to deny what she knew was true, but now all
the denials in the world could not erase the truth she saw before her
eyes. The treachery of her eldest son was as clear as day. Standing
only a short distance away, she saw such a dark look in Darius' eyes as
he gazed blankly at the unconscious body of his young brother. A flicker
of emotion rose in his eyes, but a flicker was all it was. As soon as it
has arisen, the emotion was quickly stomped out.
"I never wanted it to come to this, dear brother," Darius spoke, a hint of
regret rose in his throat, "but if you were in my position you'd probably
do the same." He fell silent for a moment before continuing, "It is for
the better of the kingdom," he lied to himself. Slowly, he turned and
walked away leaving his brother to whatever fate this cold forest held
for him.
Once Darius was gone, she stepped out into the pale moonlight. The light
caught the blue cloaked figure as she walked slowly toward her young son
lying innocently on the cold rock slab. The heavy hood fell over her face
shielding it in total darkness.
Holding out a frail hand, she stroked her son's cold cheek lovingly as a
mother would do. Tears trickled down her face with the knowledge of a
decision she must carry out tonight. Gathering his small body into her
arms and wrapping the heavy cloak around him to provide him warmth, she
could feel the steady beating of his heart against hers. His soft
breathing comforted her by giving the knowledge that he was still alive
and well. Closing her eyes in deep concentration, she summoned the power
of the golden crystal. In an explosion of golden light, mother and child
disappeared from the forest, leaving not a single trace of their existence
behind.
In another kingdom separated by the great distance of space, the two
figures appeared in another shower of light. With her precious bundle
still in her arms, she walked hastily to the nearest village. Her
misty-blue eyes gazed out from beneath the dark hood, devoid of emotions
except infinite grief. Her stride was purposeful and strong. She refused
to let her sorrow overcome her, not now when her very actions were
shaping the future that her son would later live in.
She approached the closest dwelling, which was a small log cabin, probably
occupied by some peasant farmer. Pulling the cloak further down to
better conceal her face, she made a small rapping on the door.
For a moment no one answered and she feared she chanced upon an empty home,
but her fear was soon erased as the door slowly opened. A pale yellow
light of a single lantern peered out from the opening.
"Who is there?" a gentle voice asked.
She looked up to see a kind face with lovely maroon eyes and blue-black
hair tied up in a neat bundle at the nape of her neck. The woman was
young, no more than twenty-five from her looks and the sound of her
voice. Behind her appeared a young man of twenty-six with white hair and
blue eyes.
They both gazed in shock at the dark cloaked figure standing before them
late in the night. Their attention quickly fell onto the beautiful face
of a young boy no more than ten, held protectively in the figure's arms.
"Can we help you?" the husband asked.
He tried to look at the face of the stranger but the shadows and the hood
hid it from his view. His wife, however, noticed powerful misty-blue eyes
gazing from beneath the cover of the dark hood, eyes that she would later
see again shining from the face of the young boy the stranger held in her
arms.
"Yes," the voice of a woman floated to them, "there is one thing you can
do to help me."
The couple waited for the stranger to continue. Somehow, deep within
their soul they knew their very future was changing by this single night
encounter. They knew a great responsibility would soon be passed onto
them.
"Please take care of him," the woman continued in a voice choked by
grief. "I ask humbly that you care and protect him as if he was your own
son, that is all I ask of you."
"But-," the young man said.
"Please," the figure interrupted, "it is best you do not ask me any
questions. I know this is strange but it is something you both are
destined to do. All the answers will come in due time. Only now, take
him in under your wings and raise him well to become an intelligent and
kind young man. As payment for my gratefulness, I will give you this."
She opened her palm and in a flash of light, a large bag of money
appeared. "This will cover all the expenses you'll need to raise him,
in addition there are extras for you both as well for your kindness."
The couple gazed in surprise at the unnatural power this stranger was
displaying before them. Obviously, this woman was not a normal peasant
woman, and with the look of her valuable cloak, it would have been guessed
that she was not a peasant woman at all.
"No," the wife said softly, "if you want us to care for the boy then
that we would gladly do, but no payment is necessary."
A warm smile rose beneath the shadows. "Thank you," she whispered to
them. "I see that you will care for him well. Now my soul is content
and my heart assured of his well-being."
Handing the boy over to the husband, she gazed briefly at the face of
her son for the last time. She held out a pale hand and stroked his soft
cheeks once again. A tear escaped from her eye and trickled down her
cheek. Her expression was so sad that even the shadows failed to hide
it. The couple watched with heavy hearts for it was obvious to them that
this woman loved this child dearly.
"I see that you love him very much," the wife spoke, "then why give
him to us? Why don't *you* care for him?"
"It is not my fate to rear him," the woman whispered mournfully. "To
give him life yes, but to care for him, no."
Eyes widened as the couple realized this woman was the boy's mother.
"This is the best thing I can do for him now," she continued. "He will
not remember anything when he awakens, and I ask that you tell him none
of this until he chooses to know himself. Once he seeks to know about
his past, then his memories will return." A brief pause ensued before
she continued, "However, I do want you to tell him one thing. His name.
Of anything he should later remember, I want him to know his name most
of all."
"What is his name," the husband asked gently.
"His name," the woman spoke grievously with her eyes never leaving her
child's face, "is Endymion."
"Does he not have a last name?"
"His last name is his history. He will remember it when he chooses to
accept it," with that the woman turned and began to stroll away.
"Wait," the wife cried out, "would you tell us who you are?"
Without looking back, she replied in a forlorn voice, "Only a shadow…I
am only a wandering shadow," and she disappeared into the darkness of
the night. From the distance, the couple could see a flash of golden
light then all returned to darkness once again.
"I wonder who she really was?" the husband whispered.
"I don't know," his wife replied as she gazed at the young boy left in
their care, "but she was truly a great mother to have made such a
sacrifice like this despite the pain she must suffer."
"A sacrifice?"
"Yes, Artemis," his wife gazed back toward the dark exterior, "I believe
it was a sacrifice…for her son. Whatever the reason, I don't think we
shall ever know."
Going over toward a crib lying by an open fire, the young woman reached
in and held out a beautiful infant of only two months. Carrying the baby
gently, she went over to the bed where the young boy was placed. "Look
Diana," she whispered to the baby, "you have an older brother now."
Upon returning to Earth, she looked back up at the moon where her son
now slept hidden from the danger of his past, at least for now. Later,
she knew he would seek to know about his memories, but by that time she
hoped all danger would have past. The visions she saw of the
destruction of her kingdom and that of another, she now hoped would
not come true. Now that she had changed the course of destiny, things
might turn out differently. But she should not have believed so.
As her soul had told her, she was only a messenger of Destiny. Her
actions have lead history to unfold in the correct direction.
She turned her gaze from the moon and looked toward her palace residing
in the distance. Tears fell from her eyes as she thought about her dear
husband whom she would soon leave behind. But with her guilt and sorrow
about her actions to both of her sons, she could not continue on.
Instead, the southern horizon would become her tombstone; and its
stony cliff along with the cold ocean waves would be her grave.
Closing her eyes, she opened them again only to see herself standing by
the edge of the southern cliff. Looking down from its extreme height,
she gazed blankly at the pitiless waves lapping hungrily up at her.
With eyes shut once again, her hands reached up to enclose around the
golden crystal hung about her neck. Its powers flared up in a brilliance
of golden light, engulfing her completely within its warm embrace as
if to say farewell to a dear friend. When the light disappeared,
nothing remained of her. Only the empty air occupied the space her
presence once graced. The cold waves lapped at the cliff's edge
without a pause to mourn her passing. Even the crystal around her
neck disappeared. Yet, deep within the heart of that cliff, it crystal
resided…waiting for the day when the Destined One should return to
reclaim his past.
[end flashback]
Five years would pass before he would come to know of his true history.
And it would be many years more that he would come to know of his mother's
death. But it would only be a whisper from the wind. Beyond that he
would never know of the great tragedy that lay in his mother's dear heart.
Even now Endymion did not know of his last name. The name he went by,
Sheppard, actually belonged to his adopted parents'. It was not his
real name. He knew of his father, his brother, and his royal status, but
his last name was still hidden from him. Since it would appear only
when he has accepted his fate, this would indicate that he was still
trying to oppose his destiny.
However, as he traveled on toward the western horizon, he slowly realized
what he must do. In hoping that he could deny his past and accept
his adopted life, he was only fooling himself and create greater grief
to those he owed his life and those he was born to protect. One could
only run so long from Destiny. Eventually, Endymion came to accept his
fate. And as the golden disk of dawn unfolded before him, so did his
last name…Tellurian.
"We must find a way to save him," Haruka cried out angrily.
"Of course we all want to save him," Rei said with frustration, "but do
you know where he is being held?"
"Besides," Diana whispered beside the raven hair girl, "it has been over
three days. I…I don't know if he is still alive." Tears slipped from her
eyes.
"Don't you dare think that," Haruka said. "He *is* alive damnit! I won't
tolerate such thinking around here."
"And Serenity," Rei said, "she has not returned either. I fear for her
well-being also."
The three fell silent. The whistling wind blew around them as they sat
alone together within a small cave apart from the rest of their clan.
"We will save them," Haruka said determinedly, "somehow, we will bring
them back."
"There is no need," a low voice spoke from outside the cave.
"What?" Rei said as she shielded her eyes from the blinding sunlight
coming in from the cave's mouth.
"En…Endymion?" Diana said hesitantly, fearing that this was only a trickery
of some kind.
"Who else do you think it is?" he said with a small laughter.
"Endymion!" his sister screamed. "Oh my goodness! You are here! You are
alive!" She jumped to her feet and ran to embrace him.
Laughing joyously, he held his sister in his strong arms. "I have
missed you Diana."
"I missed you so much, dear brother," she whispered into his chest as
tears soaked his torn shirt.
"Endymion," Haruka whispered in silent happiness.
"We have thought you would never return," Rei said quietly as she wiped
tears of happiness from her eyes. "I'm so glad you are alright."
He looked up and smiled, but the older women noticed the touch of sorrow
in his eyes.
"Did something happen Endymion?" Rei asked slightly troubled by his
sorrowful expression.
"If its about Serenity," Haruka said hastily, "she may still be at the
Northern Post."
"No," Endymion shook his head depressingly as he let go of his sister,
who watched him with great concern, "she is gone."
Their eyes widened in surprise, but before any of them could speak a
word, he explained everything to them, from his imprisonment by Snafu,
to the battle with Silica, and to Serenity's final farewell.
"But…but why?" a small voice interrupted them.
Endymion turned around and saw Hotaru look at him with tears in her
eyes. "Why would she leave us?"
"There was something she must do, Hotaru," Endymion said softly as he
held the child in his arms. "We cannot force her to stay with us when
her soul must be somewhere else."
"But she could be in serious danger trying to avenge her parents' death
alone."
"It is what she chose to do," Endymion said. "All we can do is respect
her decision."
"No Endymion," Haruka yelled at him angrily, "We must help her. She has
done so much for us, we can't let her go and fight alone."
Endymion remained silent.
"Hey, don't let her go in there!" someone yelled from the outside.
"Catch the traitor!"
They turned in time to see the form of a young girl took a tumble at the
entryway. Rushing toward her, Endymion found to his surprise that it
was Faith.
"Endymion?" she whispered in shock.
His eyes narrowed as a cold look surfaced in those blue gems. He stood
looking down at her with an air of indifference.
"Grab her!" he heard Diana commanded behind him.
"No!" he said with raised hand.
"But Endymion-"
"No." Looking back down at the frightened girl, he asked in a tone that
made her flinch back with fear, "Why are you here?"
Gathering her legs beneath her, she pleaded, "Endymion please, let me
explain!"
"There is nothing to explain," he said coldly.
"Please Endymion," she grabbed the lower leg of his pants, "just hear me
out!"
"Don't listen to her Endymion," Haruka warned. "She'd probably lie just
like the last time."
"No, I won't," Faith cried out desperately, "not this time."
"Why is it different now?" Rei asked hatefully.
"Be…because," Faith stuttered, "Snafu is dead and my father is now finally
free."
Her words sparked curiosity in him, with his steely gaze still
penetrating her pleading one, he spoke, "Explain."
"I have never meant to betray any of you," Faith began as the people
gathered around her with hate and suspicion clearly written on their
faces. "My father was a farmer working for Snafu's parents when they
were alive. He cared for all their farmlands, seeing to the yearly
growth and harvest. However, when the Lord and Lady caught a lethal
illness, they left everything to the hands of their eldest daughter, but
Silica left all the household running and most of her power in the hands
of her young sister Snafu, but-"
"Wait," Diana interrupted, "are you saying that Major Silica and Lady
Snafu are sisters?"
"That is exactly right."
"Cut to the chase," Haruka said impatiently.
Looking at them for a moment, Faith continued in a sad voice, "In short,
Snafu wanted me to be a spy in your camp. She wanted to capture the
leader of Era so that she could appease the King in order to gain greater
wealth and power. She had my father imprisoned and threatened to kill him
if I do not do what I was told and complete my mission." Faith paused as
tears flowed from her eyes, "I had dodged her for several months in order
to protect you all from discovery, but when her two workers escaped, she
grew furious and demanded I complete my mission immediately or my father
would die."
A long pause ensued, but soon Haruka's voice broke the heavy silence, "Do
you expect us to believe this?"
"I *ask* that you believe me," Faith looked up with teary eyes. "I pray
that you would understand. Why did you think I came back?" Turning her
attention to Endymion she suddenly confessed her heart to him, "I love
you, Endymion!"
She noticed his eyes widened in surprise, but she continued, "I would
never willingly betray you. I would rather die than ever think of
betraying you. But my poor father…what could I have done?"
Endymion gazed at her sympathetically, but he did not respond.
Taking his silence as further hatred, she whispered in a low voice, "I
knew I could never regain the trust you all bestowed on me once, but I
could not continue on living without knowing that you have forgiven me."
Tears streamed down her face. "I only ask for your forgiveness," she
begged. "Just one word and I am satisfied."
Looking down at her, the hardness in his gaze soon diminished. He could
not continue hating her. With the look of sincerity and deep regret in
her eyes, he knew her tale was true…and he also knew her love was true.
Here was a heart that was willing to love him in return, perhaps she was
meant for him after all, not Serenity.
The thought of Serenity brought a terrible aching in his heart as well as
an infinite longing. No, he thought, I do not love her. Serenity
is the only one I can ever give my heart and soul to. I cannot except her
love and live a lie.
Bending down, he held Faith's hand in his. A smile never reached his lips,
but the warmth of friendship did reach his voice. "I forgive you,"
he said.
"Thank you, Endymion."
Nodding, he let her hand go which made her smile disappear. Looking
down he asked, "Will you be joining us for dinner?"
Standing up, she shook her head sadly, "No, I have lost my position among
you as a friend. No matter what, I know I will never be able to regain
that trust I have lost. So I have decided to return to my home and help
my father with our farm. Perhaps, with time, I can learn to forgive
myself as well."
Endymion nodded understandingly along with his comrades. "I undestand.
My warm wishes to you and your father."
"Thank you," Faith whispered in a small voice. She gave her former
companions a sad glance before turning and walked away.
With everyone safe, the group sat around the fire and chatted merrily as
the food was passed around. Warm orange light danced on their smiling
faces, partially erasing the haggard expression that once resided on them.
Sitting on a rocky ledge, slightly above the group, Endymion observed with
silent eyes the happiness of his friends. Their safety, their reunion,
their very existence was all owed to Serenity. Haruka later conveyed to
him how Serenity had helped her free the others.
His solemn gaze shifted to look at the crescent moon hanging in the dark
sky. "Serenity…" he whispered her name with great longing. The words of
their last conversation rose to his mind:
'Why must you be so stubborn?' he yelled at her. 'I can heal you.'
'No', she said softly, 'no one can truly heal my wounds.'
"I can," he whispered to the moon, "but you would not let me."
"Thinking about her again, dear brother?" Diana spoke as she reached him.
He did not respond.
"I believe we all have thought about her sometime today," she continued,
unaffected by his silence. "I have my share. I considered her a dear
friend, almost like a sister."
Endymion looked down in surprise, but Diana did not notice his gaze.
Instead, her attention was captured by the bright sliver in the sky.
She continued, "I knew she never said much to me and her countenance
was always cold and distant, but looking in her eyes…I knew she cared."
Endymion returned his gaze to the moon.
"Go help her brother," he suddenly heard his sister say. "All she needs
is someone to free her from the ice that surrounds her heart," Diana
quietly added, "and I know it is you she has been waiting for."
He looked at her in surprise, but a smile rose to his lips. Looking
back at the moon, his gaze grew with determination and hope.
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[Well...nice little twist to the story isn't it?
First you thought he was a shepherd...then a rebel...now a Prince?
*pull out the drums* Alright everyone next week the finale to this story
will finally be unveiled.
Next week Chapter 15...Finale to A Shepherd's Kiss...!!!
But I have to warn you, it will be a long one. ^_^]
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Copyright (c) 2000, Cosmos.