Title: What I Would Give
Author: Lisa
Chapter: 5
Rating: G
Author's Notes:
Hi! Sorry for the delay in the chapter minna, I was busy working on my other fics. This is not an order, but please, please review if you've read ANY of my fics/chapters. I am one of those authors who think that without reviews, that means I've failed as an author. Well, I haven't received many reviews these days, so please review when you read my fics? Enjoy! ^_^
Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the others don't belong to me, but this story does.
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Serenity closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath. Emotions washed over her entire body, making her feel light-headed. She had never felt this way before; it scared her deeply to know she could feel such emotions...especially for the Earth prince. "Prince Endymion..." she murmured, eyes opening suddenly as she felt something cold touch her skin. "What..." she found something laying in the palm of her hand..a locket of some sort..a star locket. She clutched it tightly, smiling happily. "Is this for me?" she asked lightly, the smile still lingering on her face.

Endymion nodded. "Yes. I want you to have it Serenity." he answered. The locket was beautiful, very exquisite. It was seemingly made of gold for it shone brightly even in the dim light of the cell in which they were staying at.
"It is..wondrous." she murmured, holding it close to her heart. "I love it." she stated simply. Her hands so badly wanted to touch him again, though it would make her look bad. The arm drooped back limply to her side as she resisted the incredible urge. "Thank you."
Endymion did not reply, but simply gave her a wink. "My mother gave it to me when I was young." he said softly. "It used to play this enchanting melody....used to sing me to sleep when I was young."
So many memories flooded Endymion's mind then, how his mother would tell him these bedtime stories of a prince someday finding his princess. Then, she would tuck him into bed, kiss him on the forehead, and let the soothing, yet melancholy melody play. "Now, it will not play anymore." he finished, head down. "I suppose I grew out of it." he replied with a grin.

Serenity did not find it funny though. She only sighed in a sad fashion. "It must have been hard on you..since you were attached to this locket."
"I used to love this locket."
"Then...why are you giving it to me?" she could not help but ask. Serenity had become extremely attached to this particular locket within minutes, praying silently that she could keep it. "I know it means a lot to you."
Endymion shook his head for approval. "Yes, it does. My mother told me to give this to the one I love...when I would find that special person, to give it to her as a symbol of love."

Serenity's breath became caught in his throat, making it hard for her to breathe. She coughed discreetly. "You..what?" She could not hardly believe it. Did that mean Endymion loved her? Did she love him back? Questions filled her head, making her fatigued. "Does that mean.." she did not continue, afraid that he would say no.
"I..." Endymion did not want to answer as he turned his back to him. "..thought it might keep you company." he articulated. "That is all. Do nit get wrong of my kind gesture."
That statement shattered Serenity's hope, making her shiver. A lone tear slid from her smooth cheek as she tried her best to hold the tears in. She wanted to show Endymion that she was tough, that she did not feel anything for him. But the emotions welling up in her heart was inevitable. She loved him. The question though...did he love her back? Right now..it seemed like it was a no. "I understand. Endymion..." she held out her hand. "Will you not try one more time to see if it would play for you again?"
Endymion closed his eyes. "As you wish."

He took hold of the precious golden locket, gently opening the lid to it. Inside was the illustration of a crescent moon. The room was silent, save for the deep, heavy breathing of the two. The locket was still broken, not a sound admitting from it.
"Let me see if I can fix it..." her hand reached over to touch the locket.
The second it made contact, the locket magically started playing its melody, filling the room with its enchanting tune.
Both were too overwhelmed to speak, mouths wide open. It was..working. Serenity had only touched it..and it started working. Then...Endymion was also touching it. Could it be that their touch made it come back to life again?
"Wow.." Serenity whispered, listening closely to the tune. "It is playing."
"Magic.."
No other words were spoken that day to each other, although the unearthly miracle of the locket was fresh in mind. The magic and love of it all was undoubtable, both knew the other meant the world to them, while at the same time tried to hide their emotions, insisting their love would never work out in the end. Then, was it not true that love conquered all?
***
"It is working again Mother." Endymion said to the Queen, still awed. "Do you not believe me?"
The Queen only nodded sadly. "Yes Endymion." she articulated sadly, tears barely held back.
Endymion saw his mother's pain, curious and anxious to find the cause of it. "It is..Father?" the question was hard to ask.

She could not hold it in anymore, letting out all her pain and anguish in that one loud sob. The Queen's eyes were red and puffy from recent crying, as Endymion had found out. His heart wanted to reach out to hers, to help her. Instead, he just stood there, trying to control his own emotions. "Mother..." he gently put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and embraced her, closing his eyes in guilt. "I wish it was me. Father should not have had to gone out there."
"No Endymion. He wanted to." she leaned into her son's embrace. "Perhaps you should pay a visit to him...a goodbye visit." she turned away then, running out of the room in sobs.

Endymion could not remember a time when he did not need his father, whether it was advice, or just someone to talk to when he was down. He could not imagine life without him. Now, it seemed like to was going to have to face reality. His father, King Endymion, was dying fast. "Pay him a goodbye visit." his mother's words rang in his ears still. He did not want to say goodbye so soon.

The doorway was opened slightly, a small crack. Endymion felt like a child again, one who could not live with the wisdom of his father. "Father?" he whispered timidly, opening the door even further. What he saw...was not what he had in mind.
He looked so old then, laying in bed, creed with perspiration, breathing heavily, eyes closed in pain. His chest and side were bandaged thickly. "Endymion?" the Kind asked, a shaky hand moving towards his son. "Is that you?"

Endymion sucked in a deep breathe. "Yes." he said simply, kneeling down beside him. "Do not die Father, I need you." he whispered to the King, eyes full of affliction.
"Endymion...you are old enough to take responsibilities...including being the new king of the Earth. Do not let me down." The King's eyes dimmed, his life force slowly leaving his body. Endymion held onto his hand tightly, not wanting to let go.
"I cannot." he answered in a shaky voice. "I want you to live Father."
King Endymion chuckled, then wheezed as a result of it. "Endymion, find a wife...one you will love and be happy with. You will rule with her..." His hand suddenly became limp in Endymion's grip, becoming cold. Wet tears dripped onto his pillow as the Prince shed them, hovering over his father's now dead body. He did not want to be king, but knew it was his duty. He had to be strong..no matter. "I promise to find a good wife...and be the king you wanted and raised me to be." he vowed. "You will see Father, I will not disappoint you."
He left then, taking one last glance at his father. Something inside of him knew it was the last time he would ever see him again...
***
His instincts led him straight to Serenity, some unknown force in his body pulling him towards her. He wanted to comfort now, and Serenity seemed like the perfect person to come to. His eyes still held tears, ones he so desperately wanted to shed from his watery eyes. Though he was going to be strong and supportive to his mother, and not be weak.
"Princess?" His voice came out precarious and unsteady, eyes filled with evident sadness.
Serenity immediately stepped out from the shadows, straightening her dusty dress. Her eyes lit up, making Endymion feel a tad better. Her warm smile soothed him as he opened to cell door, watching the princess come out of her prison. "Serenity..."
"Prince Endymion..." Serenity sensed pain from him somehow...it was almost as if they were connected in some way...was that possible? "Are you alright?" she asked in a concerned tone.
"Yes...no." his head was down, eyes avoiding her gaze. "My father...died a few moments ago." he finished dejectedly. "I..." He need not to continue as his tears started flowing from his eyes again, Serenity encasing him in her eyes, whispering comforting murmurs in his ear.
"I never knew my father...never seen him in fact." she whispered, gently stroking his hair. She blushed at its silky feel, but was still her calm self. "I envy you...all those years you spent with your father."

Endymion nodded. "Perhaps you are right...it was Father's time."
"Yes."
Silence filled the empty dungeon. Serenity and Endymion both became transfixed by the other person, both not saying a word.
She found herself coming closer and closer to the prince...so close in fact that she culd feel his breath against her neck, sending shivers through her entire body. She felt so comfortable being this close to him...
Their eyes closed as their lips met in a sweet kiss, the melody of the locket playing in the background. Was it true love now? That was the question on their minds. For now, all they cared was that they were with each other.
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*cheers* Yeah! Finally, after 3 weeks of planning and everything, this chapter is completed! *giggles* Sorry for its shortness, but hey, its Saturday, tomorrow's Easter, so I don't exactly have time to write more. The next chapter will be longer though, I promise. PLEASE REVIEW!!!! Or send me an e-mail at LisaZUMstories@aol.com. Well, until next time, ja ne!
This story written and posting April, 2001.