Title: The Amulet of the Golden Snake
Author: Destiny Rose
E-mail: Destiny_Rose@gmx.net
Website: www.geocities.com/destiny_silverrose/
Chapter 1 finished March 9th, 2001
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers:
This story was inspired by a movie I once saw, don't remember the title
though, so the idea is not completely mine.
I don't own Sailor Moon and the characters I use in my story, they belong to
talented Naoko Takeuchi, etc...
Author's Notes:
Thanks for everyone who reviewed the Prologue or e-mailed me!! That
meant a lot to me!
I also want to thank everyone who reviewed my first two stories at
fanfiction.net, and those people who e-mailed me about A Simple Call.
Thanks! You are so great!!
About this chapter.. I hope it's quite good and that you'll like it.
In this chapter the actual story begins.
Hope you'll enjoy reading!!
*************************************************************
The Amulet of the Golden Snake
Chapter 1
A week after the bloodbath in Aurora the almighty Euphranian king
returned to his kingdom.
The people were crowded in front of the palace to greet him.
The King knew that they had been forced to come and welcome him; he
knew very well, that his people despised him and had all wished for his
death in the last battle.
They had known from the start though, that it was almost impossible to
destroy the cruel king, for he was protected by the powerful amulet.
While entering his palace he already saw his wife coming down the marble
stairs to greet him and also to present him his new born baby daughter.
"Welcome home, Alexander. I'm so glad you are home, again. There's
someone else who wants to say hello." The Queen smiled while handing her
husband the small princess.
He took the baby into his arms with much care and gently held the child in
his arms. When the queen saw her husband's behavior towards the child her
started to melt.. he was the man at the moment, who she had married so long
ago.
Maybe this little girl would be able to change him, make him a better person
again.
Her peaceful thoughts were interrupted by the King's next words "You, my
child, will one day be the ruler of my great kingdom and you will also
inherit the power of the almighty amulet of the Golden Snake!"
**********************************************
15 years later...
"Serenity! Serenity, where are you? Come inside now, your father is going
to return any minute and your mother ordered me to dress you up nicely for
the occasion." A young maid called through the large palace gardens.
"I don't want to go to that stupid ball." A soft but stubborn voice was heard
from somewhere.
"Stop hiding, Serenity. You bring me into a lot of trouble. You know how
Marina can get, when we're late." The maid urged... without success.. the
princess was nowhere to be seen.
"Marina's only my nanny, she can't harm me.."
"But you don't want her to worry, now do you?"
"No." came the meek reply from the bushes.
"Now would you please tell me where you are??"
"Right above you!!"
The maid looked up to see her young mistress sitting on a thick branch.
"You shouldn't be climbing up trees, you are a princess and princesses don't
do such things as climbing up trees.. now come down immediately, or I'll
tell your mother!" Now that caught the princess's attention; she didn't want
her mother to know about those things. Serenity envied her mother for her
gracefulness and the air of royalty which surrounded her. Everyone would
know that she was a queen, wherever she was.
"You are so mean, Rei" were her last words before she climbed down the
tree and stormed into the palace.
Rei only smiled after her. The two girls had known each other since
childhood and had become very good friends; Serenity had never treated her
like a servant- in fact she treated nobody like a servant. Serenity was warm
hearted and kind. Everyone loved her and wished she would be a wise and
fair ruler one day, but you never know what the Amulet does to a person..
When Rei arrived in the princess's chambers she found Serenity in front of
her mirror, trying on clothes.
"Which one looks better.. the blue one or the white one? What do you
think?" Serenity questioned.
Rei looked at the two beautiful dresses made of the finest silk.. things she
would never have.. and found that both dresses were equally beautiful. In
the end she chose the blue one for the princess, though.. it made her eyes
sparkle even more and brought out her knee long golden blond hair
beautifully.
"Why do I have to marry, Rei? I mean, I'm still so young and my father
wants me to choose a husband. That's why I have to attend those stupid
balls. All those princes are the same.. all stuck up and think they are the
most beautiful men on earth... There must be something more... I mean what
about true love? Like when you see the right person you just know that is
the real thing. Do you believe in that?"
" I never thought about it that much. It's the way it's always been. And you
are not that young anymore.. you are fifteen already. Most girls are married
at the age of 12 or 13..." ".. to men over 10 years older than themselves!"
the princess interrupted.
"See it positive.. then they'll die sooner.."
" You are so cruel, Rei." Serenity chided while putting on her dress.
"Why?? You know I'm not that keen on men.. I don't see why we need
one.. but we can't do anything against it.. it's tradition."
"I know, but I want real love.. something true. All those princes who want
to marry me are only after me because of the power I'm going to inherit one
day... they are not interested in the person I am. None of them has a will of
their own; they all fear my father, they are like puppets.. I don't wanna be
trapped for the rest of my life in a marriage I'm not happy in.. like my
mother" Serenity whispered the last statement.
Rei found it incredibly unfair, that such a joyful young woman like Serenity
had to be forced into the system. Her could be broken easily, she knew and
none of those stuck up princes would ever really love her.
The maid only wished the best for her princess and friend.
That night Princess Serenity looked absolutely stunning and was surrounded
by a dozen of young princes who tried to impress her. Serenity however was
rather uncomfortable with all the attention she got.
After 3 long hours she finally managed to escape her admirers through the
large glass doors of the balcony.
She sighed heavily and sat down on one of the marble benches.
She loved the how the cool night air brushed against her skin and how the
wind played with her long hair.
Those pleasant thoughts were forgotten, when she heard somebody come up
behind her.
She turned around startled to see who had interrupted her peaceful moment
and to her surprise saw her father standing in front of her.
"You look very beautiful tonight, my child." He complimented while gently
stroking her cheek with his palm. "I'm very proud of you. A lot of young
princes came to me tonight to ask your hand in marriage."
Now that startled her. She wanted to know what her father had told them or
what he had decided.. she had learned long ago that this wasn't her own
life.. her father made the decisions for her. She knew to better not disobey
him..
She knew his temper and the way he treated his servants, and she didn't like
it very much. She also knew that her father loved her dearly but if she did
something very disrespectful he would punish her with no mercy.
Serenity never really understood why her father was like that; it was as if
two personalities were inside of him.. the kind and loving man, he had been
when she was still a child and the cruel king he was most of the time.
The princess looked up at her father expectantly waiting for his answer for
which she didn't have to wait long,
"I told those fine young men that they had to fight for you and the one man
who wins will have your hand in marriage and will rule at your side.
The tournament will be in two week. Not only the winner will be celebrated
then but also your marriage for you shall become his wife right after the
tournament. I hope you feel honored, my child."
Serenity nodded and curtsied. Her father looked at her appreciatively before
going back into the large ballroom.
Serenity cried herself to sleep that night. In two weeks her life the way she
used to know it would end ... she would be someone's wife then..
She wouldn't even know the man who she would spent the rest of her life
with.
There was absolutely no way out of this for her..
*********************************************************
The next morning King Alexander and his troops left the palace to fight the
rebels who threatened to attack the kingdom.
It was said that the leader of the rebels was a prince whose parents had been
killed by Alexander when he had still been a child.
As it seemed he had a large troop of soldiers who would fight and die for
him.
King Alexander had captured many of them and tortured them until they
were dead, but nobody ever betrayed their leader.
The king was determined to get him this time and humiliate him in front of
his men and finally letting him die a slow death.
Alexander had been very furious this morning when he had heard the
terrible news from his messengers that the rebels had attacked one of the
military bases at the Northern border of the kingdom and had left
immediately.
The Princess who didn't know about what was going on outside the palace
for she was forbidden to leave the palace grounds.
She only knew from what it was like outside from the servants who
sometimes told her about the outside world.
That morning the Princess had talked with her mother about the tournament
and the marriage in two weeks. She had hoped that her mother could help
her but she had only said that that was the way it has always been and
couldn't be changed.
So that was it... she had to marry a man she didn't love, she didn't even
know.
Deciding it would do no good to think about it all day she went outside to
enjoy the beautiful summer day on her balcony.
Later that day she was joined by Rei and her private teacher Ami.
How she hated those lessons...she didn't know why she had to remember all
the surrounding kingdoms names and history.
What caught her eye though was a small painted picture in one of the large
books. It showed a tall dark haired man, a beautiful young woman and a
child of about the age of six.
Serenity was fascinated by the young boy's eyes which seemed to be so
much bluer than any she had seen before.. they seemed to be as deep as the
ocean. The blue calming and yet there was so much fire in them... she didn't
believe that the child had really had eyes like that... it was impossible...
wasn't it? This was just a picture after all.. just colors a painter used.
The sound of a fanfare startled the three young women on the balcony and
made them walk to the railing where they tried to find out what was
happening.
The large gates to the palace were opened and the King and his troops
entered the palace grounds; but they weren't alone- a man was walking
behind the king's horse. His hands were tied with a rope and he was dirty
from having run behind the horse. Alexander pulled at the robe, so that his
prisoner fell to the floor roughly. Alexander smiled and ordered him to stay
at the floor.
Serenity who had never seen something like that was shocked but also
impressed when the prisoner stood up from the dirty floor as if he hadn't
heard the king's order.
She could see that he was obviously a very proud and strong willed person
for he dared disobeying the king.
Alexander frowned but didn't say anything; he brought the prisoner to the
middle of the market place.
Then the Princess could take a good look at the prisoner for the first time...
He was tall and had strong broad shoulders and a well muscled chest,
wonderful jet black hair, which hung into his eyes... his eyes, for the first
time she saw them... they were the darkest blue.. as deep as the ocean itself..
they radiated strength and pride, but also hurt.
Something very bad must have happened to him for his eyes showed great
sorrow and pain.
She couldn't take her eyes off him. She wanted to get to know this
fascinating man, wanted to know what he had done to deserve such
treatment.. wanted to know what caused the incredible pain...
What her father said next brought her out of her thought and made her stare
at him in shock.
"I have finally captured the leader of the rebels, Endymion. The Amulet of
the Golden Snake brought us victory once more!" he proclaimed while his
men were cheering loudly for him. "This prisoner shall be put into a cage
which is to be hanged twenty feet in the air, so that he cannot flee until
tomorrow. He shall be beheaded tomorrow morning! But tonight we shall
celebrate our victory, my friends!!"
Serenity gasped.. that was Endymion? The boy from the picture.. the one
whose parents had been killed by her father?
Loud cheering was heard and the servants started to gather food and wine
for the festivities that night.
Serenity couldn't sleep that night.. she couldn't get peace.
It was unfair to let this young man die who obviously was so extraordinary,
but he was also her father's enemy.
Serenity believed that nobody should be killed though. Nobody deserved
death.
She didn't know what those feelings were she had for this mysterious man
but she knew she had never felt like this before.
She couldn't let him die..
The princess gathered all her courage and putting on a hood cautiously went
down the large halls and outside to the market place were she knew the cage
was situated.
Sure enough it wasn't guarded.. all the soldiers were busy drinking and
celebrating. Serenity took that chance and carefully let down the cage.
When it was finally down she carefully unlocked the door and stepped back.
Nothing happened.. he didn't move.
She wondered if he might be asleep but suddenly a hand grabbed her own
tightly.
"Why are you helping me?" she heard a soft dark voice ask.
She had to admit she liked the sound of it. She felt a soft squeeze and
realized she hadn't answered yet. Grateful for the darkness which covered
her blush she finally replied to his question " I don't know. I think it's not
fair that you shall be killed. It's cruel."
Endymion had never heard such a beautiful voice before. It was like an
angel would stand in front of him. He tried to look at her face but because of
the darkness couldn't make out her features. But there aws one thing he
could see.. her eyes.. they were the softest baby blue and radiated so much
innocence and gentleness that he almost believed she wasn't real.
"You have to leave now or the guards will find out and then they'll kill both
of us."
"I'll only leave if you come with me." he insisted.
That statement took her completely by surprise, she hadn't thought about
him reacting like that.
This would be the perfect opportunity for her to get away from all this.. but
what if he found out that she was the daughter of the king he despised?
The daughter of the man who killed his family?
No, she couldn't go with him.... she couldn't stand the pain of being
rejected.
"No, I can't. I have to stay here. If they find out I freed you they'll kill
people who are dear to me.. now leave or everything would have been in
vain."
"Then tell me your name..." he pleaded
"Hurry, you must go" she urged him.
"Your name."
" Please go.. there's no time for this"
"I'm just asking for your name, that's all"
"You are very stubborn, aren't you"
"Yes, and I won't leave until you tell me your name"
Serenity could almost see his smirk which she somehow knew was on his face.
"Okay.. my name is Se..." she started but was interrupted by a guard's cry
"Hey!! Who's there? Don't move!"
"Oh no! They found out. Leave before it's too late!"
"But I don't know your name yet"
"My name will be no use to you when you're dead"
Silence..
"You are right. I'll never forget you."
Before she could answer his soft lips were pressed against her own in a
gently kiss.
After they had separated he ran towards the palace wall. He climbed over it
and ran into freedom.
Serenity still stood were they had separated still dazed from the wonderful
kiss she had just shared with the leader of the rebels.
The loud voices of the guards coming towards her brought her out of her
fantasies harshly.
Looking around she saw them coming towards her from three different
directions.
She started running towards the palace which would be her only shelter.
She didn't want to know what would happen if they caught her.
With that thought in mind she ran even faster.
Reaching the palace, two dozen soldiers hot on her heels she stormed
through the halls to find sanctuary in her chambers.
Just before she turned the corner to the hall were her room was located she
tripped over her long dress and landed on the floor. She could hear the
guards coming closer and her heart began to beat wildly. She got hurriedly
and started to run towards her room once more, when suddenly someone
was standing in front of her.
To be continued..
Thanks for reading!
I hope you liked it so far!!
Please tell me what you think about it!!!