Title:Rebels & Royals.Part 4
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimer Apply
*denotes thought
23/3/01
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
First,I want to thank my beta-reader for this story,Kel-chan.This chapter's
for you girl!! :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion and his men reached one of their safehouses.He couldn't believe
he had said that to Serenity.He couldn't believe he was in love with her.
When had it happened???When had the silver siren stolen his heart??The
first time he saw her??When she'd made the crown of flowers??When they'd
nearly kissed???
This was something he hadn't forseen.This was a problem.He ran one hand
through his dark hair.Problem or not...it was too late and all he wanted,
was to be with her...
He turned back to look at the gleaming white palace in the distance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sat alone in her bed chamber.She could still feel his lips
brushing against hers.She clutched her pillow tightly.She loved him...
loved him so much.But how could she turn against her sister????
*Endy...what have you done to me??*
There was no answer...only the faint rustling of leaves stirred by wind
outside her window.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche destroyed a potted plant with her powers,leaving only smoldering
ash.The rebels had escaped.The thought pounded at her brain.Her lust for
revenge was eating at her like a disease.Flipping her silver streaked
turquoise hair back,she stared up at the bright moon in the sky.
"How in the world could they have escaped??"breathed Bruche clutching
a light blue sheer shawl in her hands...almost ripping apart the delicate
material.
"We do not know your Majesty.The guard who was guarding them said
somebody knocked him out and placed him in the cells.Also...none of the
watch guards saw anything unusual."reported Malachite.
Bruche paced around like a caged animal.
"I had the entire palace on guard and posted sentries at all entrances.
How did they escape???They couldn't have!!They couldn't have gotten out
unless they knew of the secret passages in the palace..and nobody knows
of those except me and....Serenity."whispered Bruche as she stopped pacing
and lifted her head to the possibility.
"My Queen??"
"Serenity...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity jumped up from the bed when the door to her chamber crashed open.
She calmed when she saw her sister.Serenity frowned.Her sister's frame
was rigid and looked as if it was shaking with anger.
"Bruche??"
"YOU helped them escape..."hissed her sister.
Serenity's heart leapt into her throat."You know..."
"It's true then....you DID help them!!!You traitorous no good-"
"I had to!!You would have killed them,and I could not let you do it!!"
shouted Serenity.
"You let rebels escape."spat Bruche as she came nose to nose with her
sister.
"You cannot comprehend what I felt.I played a role in their capture!!
It was my fault,and I owed them for saving me once!! If I didn't help
them...I would have gone insane from the guilt and nightmares."
"Your mind's been poisoned by their filthy rebel lies."spat Bruche in
disgust."They killed our parents and you would save them rather than
punish every last single one of them.."
"You're right!!Because I don't think they're guilty!!Father and Mother
played their own roles in their deaths.It was their own fault.Only YOU
sister,can't see it!!!"shouted Serenity angrily.
"If I have to beat you to get you to understand...I will do it so help
me god."hissed Bruche.
"You're mad!!Vengeance and hatred has clouded your mind.It's eating at
you.Festering like a wound..."
"Enough!!You thank the heavens you're my sister.If you weren't....you'd
have died long ago."breathed Bruche as she turned away and marched out of
the chamber,leaving Serenity standing alone in the darkened room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche walked quickly down the hallways.Her anger was beginning to
subside.Her sister was young...
*Why can't she see???Or is she right??Is vengeance really making me bad?
Evil???Why can't she understand my dream of vengeance???Probably
because she was closer to grandmama than to mother and father.*thought
Bruche to herself.
"Iolite.You will go to my sister's room and guard her."she ordered.
Iolite blinked in confusion,but quickly recovered,falling into a perfect
military bow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity looked at her door when it opened.She had expected her sister.
Seeing Iolite enter,Serenity flopped back onto the bed.
"Hello Iolite."sighed Serenity covering her forehead with her arm.
"Don't look so sad,Princess.The Queen has her reasons for everything."
comforted Iolite.
Serenity glared at the lavender haired girl."No.She doesn't.The only
reason is that my sister,is POISONED with the lust for vengeance."
snapped Serenity irritatedly.
"Her Majesty loves you.You're her only living relative now."said Iolite.
"Oh yeah??Like you love your brother,Zoiscite????"spat Serenity
sarcastically.Serenity saw the dark look that crossed Iolite's face
before it disappeared.
"Iolite...do you believe in soul mates??"asked Serenity hugging herself.
Iolite frowned."Why do you ask??"
"Because I love a man who I could never possibly be with."whispered
Serenity,hugging herself tighter.
"A rebel??"questioned Iolite.
"Not just any rebel...but the leader no less."
Serenity stared up at Iolite and for a moment...she saw Iolite's eyes
soften."Do you think he is your soul mate??"asked Iolite.
"I'm attracted to him,if that's what you mean.We're attracted to each
other.But I don't know if he loves me as I love him..."sighed Serenity.
"Ooh..everything's just so complicated."
Iolite sat down next to her and placed an arm around Serenity.
"You know...I should probably discourage you from loving him,and I
shouldn't even be saying this...but,if Endymion is your soul mate...he
loves you,Princess.Whether he knows it or not...believes it or not...he
loves you."smiled Iolite.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beryl clenched her fist.Why was she cursed to love a man who did not
love her???Why had that man fallen in love with the enemy??She stared at
Endymion's dark form as he sat by the cliffs staring out at the white
palace that gleamed in the moonlight.It just wasn't fair....
*I swear...one day...I will make you pay for this,Princess Serenity.*
Endymion twirled a blade of grass absent-mindedly between his fingers.
His eyes never straying from the shining palace.The palace that held the
woman he loved.His silver siren.His little rabbit.
It was days since their escape from the palace.Serenity was good on her
word.She had arranged their safe passage out of the palace grounds.
He missed her...he missed his silver siren.Without her presence nearby,
he felt...empty.
"Serenity.."whispered Endymion,her name sounding like the caress
of a lover on his lips.
A hand touched his shoulder.Turning to look,he met the eyes of Seiya.
"You really should get some sleep,Endy.We still have to find the others."
he advised.
"I just want to stay here a few more minutes."sighed Endymion.
"That's what you said yesterday!!It's getting cold.I doubt Serenity
would want you to fall ill."snapped Seiya in exasperation.
"You couldn't possibly understand what I'm feeling now.I only feel,like
I'm half of me."
"Help me understand."said Seiya sitting down beside him."I'm your
cousin.And I only want the best thing for you."
"You couldn't possibly understand.The first time I saw her,I thought
of her,only as the Princess.Yet...I was drawn to her like a moth to the
fire.And when I saw her eyes...it was like looking at..at.."
"At your other half??"ventured Seiya.
"That's right."
"You love her.I told you so."
"I know."sighed Endymion."I know,Seiya...and may God help me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity wandered through the palace the next day,looking around with
boredom.Iolite was behind her.She felt trapped and caged.She hated this.
Restlessness had settled over her like a cloak that enveloped her mind,
heart and soul.She missed the fresh air of the rebel village.She missed
the laughing and bawdy jokes of the rebels.But most of all...she missed
Endymion.
Rei stopped in front of her.Her red eyes held a gleam in them.
"Good morning,Rei."
"Good morning,Princess.Her Majesty wants to have a word with you."
smiled Rei politely.
"Thank you."
Serenity frowned as Rei walked away.What could her sister want with her,
so early in the morning??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche looked up from her reports to see her sister enter.
"Good morning,Serenity.I trust you slept well???"asked Bruche politely
as she set the papers down on the table.
"Rei said you wanted to see me."stated Serenity stiffly.
"That's right.I have decided,to celebrate your return to the palace,
I will throw a masked ball,tomorrow."smiled Bruche.
"A mask??"echoed Serenity.
"Yes.And you WILL attend."snapped Bruche cutting off any protest
effectively.
Serenity frowned.She hated these type of social obligations.Her sister
had hated these things too once.But now...she was Queen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Endymion!!"shouted a man.
"What??!"snapped Endymion irritatedly.
"We have news the Queen plans to throw a mask."reported the rebel.
Endymion stopped breathing at the news,his eyes lighting up with a plan.
"When is the mask??"
"On the morrow,Endymion."
"Thank you.You may go."said Endymion waving him away.
"I know what you're thinking Endymion.You shouldn't!!You can't go to
that mask.It will be as plain as suicide if somebody recognizes you!"said
Minako,a frown on her face.
Endymion turned to her,a sly smile on his lips.
"It's a mask.Nobody will be looking for me."
"You just want to see Serenity."
"And that is a crime???Of course I want to see her.I NEED to see her
or my mind will go mad with wanting and worry."sighed Endymion.
"It's dangerous."argued Minako.
Endymion smiled his wicked smile."If it wasn't dangerous,it wouldn't be
any fun now,would it???"asked Endymion walking away and whistling to
himself.
"Men.They're all mulish boors."said Minako with a frown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sighed as she stared at her reflection.She was dressed in a
white dress with roses decorating it.Her silver tresses were held up by
their usual buns.Pearls adorned her head with usual moon earings.
Her hands were encased in long white gloved and in her hand,a beautiful
white mask decorated with white feathers and silver sparkle.
*I hate this*
She got up and exited her chamber,making her way to the ballroom.
Knocking on the doors,the guards let her in.
The only good thing with masks was nobody was to announce their names.
She saw her sister sitting on the throne on the dais.Her sister
acknowledged her with a small nod.
Her gaze wandered around in boredom.All the guests were of noble blood.
They milled about chatting politely and most of the ladies gossiped about
the latest scandal and fashion.How utterly boring...
Then,the music started.She watched as couples stepped onto the dance
floor and began to dance.Serenity sighed.Nobody had asked her.Which was
just as well since she would have probably said no.
Masked men and ladies danced on the floor and soon...she began to feel
left out.She thought of Endymion and all the fun back at the rebel village.
Dancing hadn't been like this...they had whooped and dances as they pleased
around a fire.She had enjoyed that...tears came to her eyes and she was
about to wipe them away when somebody swept her onto the dance floor.
Serenity gave a gasp of outrage.Looking up,she met ocean eyes that
twinkled down at her in mischief.He had dark midnight hair.A plain white
mask hid his face and a deep red ruby stud winked at her from one of his
ears.
"Fair lady,pardon me but you looked far to sad to be at a party.So I
decided to cheer you up."smiled the man wickedly.
Finally finding her voice,Serenity said only one name..."Endymion."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion smiled down at her face.He stifled a chuckle at her shocked
expression.This was the siren he loved.His siren..witch,angel and rabbit.
"Come now...don't look so sad."
"Y-You sound like a nobleman."breathed Serenity.
"You don't believe I can do that??I'm hurt,love.I am after all,descended
from noble blood."smiled Endymion.
"How did you get in here???"asked Serenity as she stared at him,her
feet dancing.
"I have my ways.Have you dreamt of me,my little rabbit?"asked Endymion.
"I have...I've missed you,your wit and beauty."
Serenity felt a flush creep onto her face.
"I've missed you too."
"Then you have considered running away with me,rabbit??"
"Oh,I can't!!"exclaimed Serenity with despair.
"You can,rabbit."he stated as they stopped dancing when the song was
over.He led her towards the balcony.
Endymion peered around the balcony.There was no one there.
"I've really missed you."whispered Serenity staring at him in awe.
Endymion smiled and reached out to tweak her nose."Silly."
Serenity stared up at the moon that shone down on them.
"The moon is really pretty tonight."
"That it is...but not as pretty as one I see here."
Serenity's head turned to stare up at him.He was staring down at her,the
mask blocked his eyes.A hand raised up to touch her cheek tenderly...
lovingly...
"Endymion.."
"Shh..."whispered Endymion as he touched a finger to her lips.
"But it's nearly midnight.We will have to unmask and you'll-"
"God's mercy woman,I shall have to keep you silent."said Endymion as
he bent down and kissed her.
Serenity's eyes widened further at the invasion.Her hands felt so small
against the expanse of his chest.A shiver ran through her as she felt his
tongue run over her lips.
Slowly...she closed her eyes and succumbed to the moment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The clock struck midnight and they pulled away.It was time for the
unmasking...
Serenity felt Endymion pull away from her and step backwards to the
balcony's railing.He put one foot over the balcony and turned back to
look at her.Touching his index finger to his lips and winking,he jumped
and disappeared over the railing.
Serenity rushed towards the railing and looked down.On the ground,she
saw Endymion looking up at her and blowing her a kiss.
"Dream of me,siren."he called up before disappearing into the darkness.
Serenity felt a blush rise up her face.Placing her hand on her mouth,
she stared out into the darkness after the man who had bewitched her....
*Endy,I love you...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion sat atop a hill outside the palace grounds,staring at the
white palace.Wind whipped at his silky black hair.A mask still covered
his face.He couldn't forget it...the look on her face when he had swept
her onto the dance floor.Or when he had leaned down to kiss her.
He groaned to himself.Keeping himslf from seeing her or even going near
her was starting to prove a difficult task.
He was going to go mad...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minako watched as Endymion paced restlessly.He had been that way ever
since he'd returned from the mask.
A smile curled her lips,her golden eyes shining with excitement and
happiness over what was happening.Endymion had always professed himself
as being the one with the indomitable will and would never fall in love.
And yet...here he was.In only a mere few weeks,she'd noticed the change in
him.In the aura that he emitted.
It was expected.Serenity was everthing Endymion had not had in his life.
Love...Radiance...Beauty...
*Oh Endymion...this is going to be such a delicious situation.* smiled
Minako to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been almost a week since the mask and Serenity was now pacing
about her room.She had to see him.But she couldn't betray her sister.
He was a rebel.She was a royal.He was a hard dominating man.She was soft
and all defiance.They were total opposites.This relationship shouldn't
have even started.
Serenity twisted a piece of cloth in her hands.Her sister was the only
relative she had in the world.But her sister was also a tyranical Queen
and expected Serenity to play her part as a Princess and marry.
*Well,I won't!!*thought Serenity angrily to herself.
She left her room and wandered the palace hallways with a bored
expression on her face.How many times had she wandered down these empty
and silent hallways???Turning into Potrait Hall,Serenity glanced around
at the potraits of her earliest known ancestors.They all seemed familiar
and yet,looked nothing alike.The only thing that was common among the
potraits were the regal bearings of the person painted.She stared hard at
her earliest known ancestor.In the potrait was a man and woman who had a
regal pose,yet...their expressions were ones of kindness and love.The
woman had long silvery white hair with matching smoky grey eyes.The man
had bright blue ones and a head of dark violet hair almost black.Reading
the names below...
"Aris and Selene."
They looked much in love,the way their eyes seemed to shine and the way
their hands clasped each other.The painter had captured their eyes with
startling skill and realism.
"It must be nice to be in love..."whispered Serenity.
An hour later...
"Princess,you really must stop wandering about with that sad look on
your face."advised Iolite as she stared at Serenity who was dipping her
foot in and out of the pond that was hidden by a mass of vines and trees.
"Iolite...what happened between you and Zoiscite???"
"He was my brother.That was the end of it."snapped Iolite,suddenly taking
a defensive posture.
"He IS your brother.He's not dead!!!"
"In my eyes,he IS."spat Iolite coldly.
"I don't understand you.How can you treat him so coldly and yet,treat me
and advise me with such caring???"asked Serenity.
"I was trained that way.You're different.You're my Princess.My...my..
my friend."hesistated Iolite.
Serenity stared at the lavender haired girl.Serenity understood then...
she was hurting.After all this time,she was still hurting at her brother's
rebelling against the sovereign crown.She was wearing armor to hide all
the hurt and compassion underneath.
"Iolite..."
"Just,forget about it.Okay??"
Serenity watched as Iolite stormed off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sighed...why was everything so difficult???To want to be with
the man you love and yet...not want to betray your sister.
"And when you find any rebels...I want you to kill them.I don't want
anymore trouble like the last time.Be they man,woman or child."
Serenity gasped at the sound of her sister's voice.A hand went to her
throat...her sister couldn't have just ordered a massacre of any rebel
encountered,did she???
"As you command,your Majesty.We will leave at once for the traitorous
village and send them all to the slave mines."came Malachite's voice.
Serenity squeezed her eyes shut.This couldn't be happening...Serenity
shook her head...this couldn't be.She picked up her skirts and ran.
She had to get away....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche squeezed her eyes shut when the last Royal Guard had left.She was
so tired....she had been up all night remembering her sister's words.
Pondering them...agonizing over them.Serenity had called her a cruel
tyrant and that the lust for vengeance was clouding her brain.Last night,
she had decided.She wasn't wrong.Serenity was merely soft and had a gentle
nature.What she was doing was for the good of the Kingdom.Getting rid of
the rebels.
Bruche buried her face in her hands.The order to kill any rebel be they
man,woman or child....had been the hardest thing she had ever done in her
life....
*Serenity....you'll see one day...this is right...I hope..*thought
Bruche to herself sadly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity kept a hand over her mouth to keep from vomitting.The thought
of innocent young children being massacred...the thought sickened her.
She had to do something....and there was only ONE thing she COULD do...
*Forgive me,sister.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity slipped quietly out of her chamber and peeked around for guards.
She jumped at a feminine voice.
"You're leaving aren't you??"
"Iolite??"
"You're going to him."
"I have to.He was right...I don't belong here.I can't belong here.Not
when my heart is with him and my sister turning into a cold monster...."
"You love him."
"More than my own life."acknowledged Serenity staring pleadingly into
green eyes.
"Home is where the heart is.."whispered Iolite sadly.
"What??"
"Nothing...I shouldn't let you go...but you're my friend.And,you deserve
a chance at happiness.Godspeed."sighed Iolite touching Serenity lightly
on the cheek.
"Thank you,Iolite..."
Iolite watched as the silvery ghostlike figure slipped away into the
darkness.
"Take care,Princess..."
She was free....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion stared at the fire as he prodded it with a stick.It was a week
since he'd seen her.He missed her too damn much.When he'd been planning
strategies...all he could think about was her.
"What's wrong Endymion??"asked Beryl sitting next to him.
"You should be happy!!We got us a decisive victory against the Royals by
destroying the routes towards the mountain mines!!"exclaimed Beryl trying
to catch his attention.
"Hmm.."
Beryl frowned.Her jealousy had grown.It wasn't fair.She was stuck on
the outside looking in.Though the Princess didn't hold his body,she as
good as did as she already held his heart and soul.
Beryl frowned at the dark brooding man.He was oblivious to all comments
unless they had something to do with the Princess,the people or battle
strategies and the arrival of Royal soldiers.
Ami huddled closer to Zoiscite.
"I've never seen him this way."
"That's because he was never in love before,my water sprite."smiled
Zoiscite,a devil's grin on his face.
"True...the look of a man in love does make him very mysterious and sexy
though..."mused Ami.
"Hmmph...sexy???I never thought you to say such a word.What's so 'sexy'
and 'mysterious' anyway???"snorted Zoiscite.
"You sound jealous,Zoiscite."laughed Nephrite.
"Quiet you soothsayer."
"I think your jealousy is cute,my love.But seriously.It's mysterious and
sexy because it makes a woman wonder just what type of woman could catch
the eye of a man such as Endymion."enlightened Ami.
Zoiscite frowned.
"You have a point."
"I never thought I'd see the day of a complacent Zoiscite."breathed
Nephrite rubbing his eyes in mockery.
"You're one to talk!!Be careful,or I just might leave Serenity's..oh,
cat,Luna with you for the night????"blinked Zoiscite innocently.
Nephrite shuddered."Please!!No!!That 'cat' shredded my pillows,bedsheet
and my best shirt the last time I kept an eye on that ball of fur."
Ami and Zoiscite laughed.
Minako came running towards the group huddled around the fire.
"Hey!!Hey!!Guess what????"called the bouncing blonde.
"What???"asked Nephrite.
"I saw Serenity walking on the road towards the towns!!!"exclaimed Minako
excitedly,her golden eyes fixed on Endymion's reaction.
She was correct for at the mention of Serenity,he had snapped up.
"What did you say???"
"I said I saw Serenity-"
Minako didn't even get to finish her sentence when Endymion was sprinting
towards the stables.
Beryl gritted her teeth in anger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion rode his horse down towards the road to intercept Serenity.
His thoughts were a blur and right now...all he wanted was the woman he
loved more than his own life.
He stopped his horse in the middle of the road.A small petite ghostly
white figure stepped out of the darkness.
The moon came out from behind the clound and bathed the night with it's
loving silver glow.
His breath caught when he saw her.
Her hair was shining it's silvery colour under the light of the moon.
She had stopped,her eyes widening at the sight of him....
His angel...his siren...
"Endymion..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sucked in her breath.The moonlight was bouncing off his dark
midnight hair making it look like the colour of black pearls.
He was so handsome...
Standing there like a deity from the heavens....
She didn't know how long they'd stood there looking at each other.But
it was clear at that moment,the love they held for each other.Something
they'd been searching for,all their lives...the mirror image of themselves.
They ran toward each other,meeting each other half way.They met in an
embrace.Their hands holding on tightly to each other as to never let go...
Minako peered through the binoculars and sighed.
"They make such a cute couple."
The rest of the rebels grinned and nudged each other...except Beryl who
stood behind,seething with anger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They held each other tightly until slowly,Endymion loosened her arms to
peer down at her.
"Serenity...Why did you come here??"
"I-I..I came here to be with you."whispered Serenity her face flushing.
She thanked the heavens it was at night and he could not see her face due
to the darkness.
"I love you,my siren."whispered Endymion.
Serenity leaned back to stare at Endymion.
"I-I...I love you too,Endymion."stuttered Serenity in surprise.
Endymion smiled as his heart jumped with elation.She loved him as he
loved her....
He leaned down to to kiss her fiercely.He loved her...so much.
They broke to suck in air.Endymion hugged her to him.
*Mine.*thought Endymion possesively as he crushed Serenity jealously to
him.He stared down at the silver curls and tightened his arm around her.
He loved this woman so much,it scared him.This intricate,delicate and
beautiful fragile woman-child was his,and he would kill anybody who tried
to claim her from him.
"I love you,"
"Endy.."squeaked Serenity when he hugged her even tighter.If that was
possible.Endymion grinned and loosed his arms slightly.
"I missed you so much,Endy..."whispered Serenity as she buried her face
into his jerkin.
"I missed you too,my love."
A thought nagged at Serenity's brain.Then,she remembered.
"Oh!!My sister!!She has passed the order for the soldiers to kill any
rebel be they man,woman or child!!"exclaimed Serenity.
"Great goddess..."swore Endymion."Are you certain???"
"Yes."choked Serenity as tears began to well up at her eyes and a choke
caught in her throat.
"Serenity???Love,what is it???"asked Endymion,his voice gentle and
loving.
Serenity let out a sob and buried her face once more in his jerkin,her
fingers clutching at his white shirt.
"What happened to her,Endymion??When did she become so cruel??Why didn't
I see it before???"asked Serenity,tears running down her cheeks.
"You couldn't help it,Serenity.Your love blinded you,that is all."
soothed Endymion,holding her closer.
"But...I was never like that w-with...with my parents."she hesistated.
"Perhaps it was because you were closer to your grandmother,
Queen Selenity."
"I'm alone now..."whispered Serenity,her eyes faraway,shining with
tears.
Endymion frowned down at her and shook her slightly."You're not alone!!
DO you hear me??You're NOT alone.I'm here for you.You'll never be alone
at all,my darling.I won't let you."he stated forcefully.
*Never be alone...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Yes,yes..I can see you guys there yawning at such an easy attainment to
love.The trials have YET to begin...stay tune. :)
Email me with comments please???
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimer Apply
*denotes thought
23/3/01
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
First,I want to thank my beta-reader for this story,Kel-chan.This chapter's
for you girl!! :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion and his men reached one of their safehouses.He couldn't believe
he had said that to Serenity.He couldn't believe he was in love with her.
When had it happened???When had the silver siren stolen his heart??The
first time he saw her??When she'd made the crown of flowers??When they'd
nearly kissed???
This was something he hadn't forseen.This was a problem.He ran one hand
through his dark hair.Problem or not...it was too late and all he wanted,
was to be with her...
He turned back to look at the gleaming white palace in the distance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sat alone in her bed chamber.She could still feel his lips
brushing against hers.She clutched her pillow tightly.She loved him...
loved him so much.But how could she turn against her sister????
*Endy...what have you done to me??*
There was no answer...only the faint rustling of leaves stirred by wind
outside her window.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche destroyed a potted plant with her powers,leaving only smoldering
ash.The rebels had escaped.The thought pounded at her brain.Her lust for
revenge was eating at her like a disease.Flipping her silver streaked
turquoise hair back,she stared up at the bright moon in the sky.
"How in the world could they have escaped??"breathed Bruche clutching
a light blue sheer shawl in her hands...almost ripping apart the delicate
material.
"We do not know your Majesty.The guard who was guarding them said
somebody knocked him out and placed him in the cells.Also...none of the
watch guards saw anything unusual."reported Malachite.
Bruche paced around like a caged animal.
"I had the entire palace on guard and posted sentries at all entrances.
How did they escape???They couldn't have!!They couldn't have gotten out
unless they knew of the secret passages in the palace..and nobody knows
of those except me and....Serenity."whispered Bruche as she stopped pacing
and lifted her head to the possibility.
"My Queen??"
"Serenity...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity jumped up from the bed when the door to her chamber crashed open.
She calmed when she saw her sister.Serenity frowned.Her sister's frame
was rigid and looked as if it was shaking with anger.
"Bruche??"
"YOU helped them escape..."hissed her sister.
Serenity's heart leapt into her throat."You know..."
"It's true then....you DID help them!!!You traitorous no good-"
"I had to!!You would have killed them,and I could not let you do it!!"
shouted Serenity.
"You let rebels escape."spat Bruche as she came nose to nose with her
sister.
"You cannot comprehend what I felt.I played a role in their capture!!
It was my fault,and I owed them for saving me once!! If I didn't help
them...I would have gone insane from the guilt and nightmares."
"Your mind's been poisoned by their filthy rebel lies."spat Bruche in
disgust."They killed our parents and you would save them rather than
punish every last single one of them.."
"You're right!!Because I don't think they're guilty!!Father and Mother
played their own roles in their deaths.It was their own fault.Only YOU
sister,can't see it!!!"shouted Serenity angrily.
"If I have to beat you to get you to understand...I will do it so help
me god."hissed Bruche.
"You're mad!!Vengeance and hatred has clouded your mind.It's eating at
you.Festering like a wound..."
"Enough!!You thank the heavens you're my sister.If you weren't....you'd
have died long ago."breathed Bruche as she turned away and marched out of
the chamber,leaving Serenity standing alone in the darkened room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche walked quickly down the hallways.Her anger was beginning to
subside.Her sister was young...
*Why can't she see???Or is she right??Is vengeance really making me bad?
Evil???Why can't she understand my dream of vengeance???Probably
because she was closer to grandmama than to mother and father.*thought
Bruche to herself.
"Iolite.You will go to my sister's room and guard her."she ordered.
Iolite blinked in confusion,but quickly recovered,falling into a perfect
military bow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity looked at her door when it opened.She had expected her sister.
Seeing Iolite enter,Serenity flopped back onto the bed.
"Hello Iolite."sighed Serenity covering her forehead with her arm.
"Don't look so sad,Princess.The Queen has her reasons for everything."
comforted Iolite.
Serenity glared at the lavender haired girl."No.She doesn't.The only
reason is that my sister,is POISONED with the lust for vengeance."
snapped Serenity irritatedly.
"Her Majesty loves you.You're her only living relative now."said Iolite.
"Oh yeah??Like you love your brother,Zoiscite????"spat Serenity
sarcastically.Serenity saw the dark look that crossed Iolite's face
before it disappeared.
"Iolite...do you believe in soul mates??"asked Serenity hugging herself.
Iolite frowned."Why do you ask??"
"Because I love a man who I could never possibly be with."whispered
Serenity,hugging herself tighter.
"A rebel??"questioned Iolite.
"Not just any rebel...but the leader no less."
Serenity stared up at Iolite and for a moment...she saw Iolite's eyes
soften."Do you think he is your soul mate??"asked Iolite.
"I'm attracted to him,if that's what you mean.We're attracted to each
other.But I don't know if he loves me as I love him..."sighed Serenity.
"Ooh..everything's just so complicated."
Iolite sat down next to her and placed an arm around Serenity.
"You know...I should probably discourage you from loving him,and I
shouldn't even be saying this...but,if Endymion is your soul mate...he
loves you,Princess.Whether he knows it or not...believes it or not...he
loves you."smiled Iolite.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beryl clenched her fist.Why was she cursed to love a man who did not
love her???Why had that man fallen in love with the enemy??She stared at
Endymion's dark form as he sat by the cliffs staring out at the white
palace that gleamed in the moonlight.It just wasn't fair....
*I swear...one day...I will make you pay for this,Princess Serenity.*
Endymion twirled a blade of grass absent-mindedly between his fingers.
His eyes never straying from the shining palace.The palace that held the
woman he loved.His silver siren.His little rabbit.
It was days since their escape from the palace.Serenity was good on her
word.She had arranged their safe passage out of the palace grounds.
He missed her...he missed his silver siren.Without her presence nearby,
he felt...empty.
"Serenity.."whispered Endymion,her name sounding like the caress
of a lover on his lips.
A hand touched his shoulder.Turning to look,he met the eyes of Seiya.
"You really should get some sleep,Endy.We still have to find the others."
he advised.
"I just want to stay here a few more minutes."sighed Endymion.
"That's what you said yesterday!!It's getting cold.I doubt Serenity
would want you to fall ill."snapped Seiya in exasperation.
"You couldn't possibly understand what I'm feeling now.I only feel,like
I'm half of me."
"Help me understand."said Seiya sitting down beside him."I'm your
cousin.And I only want the best thing for you."
"You couldn't possibly understand.The first time I saw her,I thought
of her,only as the Princess.Yet...I was drawn to her like a moth to the
fire.And when I saw her eyes...it was like looking at..at.."
"At your other half??"ventured Seiya.
"That's right."
"You love her.I told you so."
"I know."sighed Endymion."I know,Seiya...and may God help me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity wandered through the palace the next day,looking around with
boredom.Iolite was behind her.She felt trapped and caged.She hated this.
Restlessness had settled over her like a cloak that enveloped her mind,
heart and soul.She missed the fresh air of the rebel village.She missed
the laughing and bawdy jokes of the rebels.But most of all...she missed
Endymion.
Rei stopped in front of her.Her red eyes held a gleam in them.
"Good morning,Rei."
"Good morning,Princess.Her Majesty wants to have a word with you."
smiled Rei politely.
"Thank you."
Serenity frowned as Rei walked away.What could her sister want with her,
so early in the morning??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche looked up from her reports to see her sister enter.
"Good morning,Serenity.I trust you slept well???"asked Bruche politely
as she set the papers down on the table.
"Rei said you wanted to see me."stated Serenity stiffly.
"That's right.I have decided,to celebrate your return to the palace,
I will throw a masked ball,tomorrow."smiled Bruche.
"A mask??"echoed Serenity.
"Yes.And you WILL attend."snapped Bruche cutting off any protest
effectively.
Serenity frowned.She hated these type of social obligations.Her sister
had hated these things too once.But now...she was Queen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Endymion!!"shouted a man.
"What??!"snapped Endymion irritatedly.
"We have news the Queen plans to throw a mask."reported the rebel.
Endymion stopped breathing at the news,his eyes lighting up with a plan.
"When is the mask??"
"On the morrow,Endymion."
"Thank you.You may go."said Endymion waving him away.
"I know what you're thinking Endymion.You shouldn't!!You can't go to
that mask.It will be as plain as suicide if somebody recognizes you!"said
Minako,a frown on her face.
Endymion turned to her,a sly smile on his lips.
"It's a mask.Nobody will be looking for me."
"You just want to see Serenity."
"And that is a crime???Of course I want to see her.I NEED to see her
or my mind will go mad with wanting and worry."sighed Endymion.
"It's dangerous."argued Minako.
Endymion smiled his wicked smile."If it wasn't dangerous,it wouldn't be
any fun now,would it???"asked Endymion walking away and whistling to
himself.
"Men.They're all mulish boors."said Minako with a frown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sighed as she stared at her reflection.She was dressed in a
white dress with roses decorating it.Her silver tresses were held up by
their usual buns.Pearls adorned her head with usual moon earings.
Her hands were encased in long white gloved and in her hand,a beautiful
white mask decorated with white feathers and silver sparkle.
*I hate this*
She got up and exited her chamber,making her way to the ballroom.
Knocking on the doors,the guards let her in.
The only good thing with masks was nobody was to announce their names.
She saw her sister sitting on the throne on the dais.Her sister
acknowledged her with a small nod.
Her gaze wandered around in boredom.All the guests were of noble blood.
They milled about chatting politely and most of the ladies gossiped about
the latest scandal and fashion.How utterly boring...
Then,the music started.She watched as couples stepped onto the dance
floor and began to dance.Serenity sighed.Nobody had asked her.Which was
just as well since she would have probably said no.
Masked men and ladies danced on the floor and soon...she began to feel
left out.She thought of Endymion and all the fun back at the rebel village.
Dancing hadn't been like this...they had whooped and dances as they pleased
around a fire.She had enjoyed that...tears came to her eyes and she was
about to wipe them away when somebody swept her onto the dance floor.
Serenity gave a gasp of outrage.Looking up,she met ocean eyes that
twinkled down at her in mischief.He had dark midnight hair.A plain white
mask hid his face and a deep red ruby stud winked at her from one of his
ears.
"Fair lady,pardon me but you looked far to sad to be at a party.So I
decided to cheer you up."smiled the man wickedly.
Finally finding her voice,Serenity said only one name..."Endymion."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion smiled down at her face.He stifled a chuckle at her shocked
expression.This was the siren he loved.His siren..witch,angel and rabbit.
"Come now...don't look so sad."
"Y-You sound like a nobleman."breathed Serenity.
"You don't believe I can do that??I'm hurt,love.I am after all,descended
from noble blood."smiled Endymion.
"How did you get in here???"asked Serenity as she stared at him,her
feet dancing.
"I have my ways.Have you dreamt of me,my little rabbit?"asked Endymion.
"I have...I've missed you,your wit and beauty."
Serenity felt a flush creep onto her face.
"I've missed you too."
"Then you have considered running away with me,rabbit??"
"Oh,I can't!!"exclaimed Serenity with despair.
"You can,rabbit."he stated as they stopped dancing when the song was
over.He led her towards the balcony.
Endymion peered around the balcony.There was no one there.
"I've really missed you."whispered Serenity staring at him in awe.
Endymion smiled and reached out to tweak her nose."Silly."
Serenity stared up at the moon that shone down on them.
"The moon is really pretty tonight."
"That it is...but not as pretty as one I see here."
Serenity's head turned to stare up at him.He was staring down at her,the
mask blocked his eyes.A hand raised up to touch her cheek tenderly...
lovingly...
"Endymion.."
"Shh..."whispered Endymion as he touched a finger to her lips.
"But it's nearly midnight.We will have to unmask and you'll-"
"God's mercy woman,I shall have to keep you silent."said Endymion as
he bent down and kissed her.
Serenity's eyes widened further at the invasion.Her hands felt so small
against the expanse of his chest.A shiver ran through her as she felt his
tongue run over her lips.
Slowly...she closed her eyes and succumbed to the moment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The clock struck midnight and they pulled away.It was time for the
unmasking...
Serenity felt Endymion pull away from her and step backwards to the
balcony's railing.He put one foot over the balcony and turned back to
look at her.Touching his index finger to his lips and winking,he jumped
and disappeared over the railing.
Serenity rushed towards the railing and looked down.On the ground,she
saw Endymion looking up at her and blowing her a kiss.
"Dream of me,siren."he called up before disappearing into the darkness.
Serenity felt a blush rise up her face.Placing her hand on her mouth,
she stared out into the darkness after the man who had bewitched her....
*Endy,I love you...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion sat atop a hill outside the palace grounds,staring at the
white palace.Wind whipped at his silky black hair.A mask still covered
his face.He couldn't forget it...the look on her face when he had swept
her onto the dance floor.Or when he had leaned down to kiss her.
He groaned to himself.Keeping himslf from seeing her or even going near
her was starting to prove a difficult task.
He was going to go mad...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minako watched as Endymion paced restlessly.He had been that way ever
since he'd returned from the mask.
A smile curled her lips,her golden eyes shining with excitement and
happiness over what was happening.Endymion had always professed himself
as being the one with the indomitable will and would never fall in love.
And yet...here he was.In only a mere few weeks,she'd noticed the change in
him.In the aura that he emitted.
It was expected.Serenity was everthing Endymion had not had in his life.
Love...Radiance...Beauty...
*Oh Endymion...this is going to be such a delicious situation.* smiled
Minako to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had been almost a week since the mask and Serenity was now pacing
about her room.She had to see him.But she couldn't betray her sister.
He was a rebel.She was a royal.He was a hard dominating man.She was soft
and all defiance.They were total opposites.This relationship shouldn't
have even started.
Serenity twisted a piece of cloth in her hands.Her sister was the only
relative she had in the world.But her sister was also a tyranical Queen
and expected Serenity to play her part as a Princess and marry.
*Well,I won't!!*thought Serenity angrily to herself.
She left her room and wandered the palace hallways with a bored
expression on her face.How many times had she wandered down these empty
and silent hallways???Turning into Potrait Hall,Serenity glanced around
at the potraits of her earliest known ancestors.They all seemed familiar
and yet,looked nothing alike.The only thing that was common among the
potraits were the regal bearings of the person painted.She stared hard at
her earliest known ancestor.In the potrait was a man and woman who had a
regal pose,yet...their expressions were ones of kindness and love.The
woman had long silvery white hair with matching smoky grey eyes.The man
had bright blue ones and a head of dark violet hair almost black.Reading
the names below...
"Aris and Selene."
They looked much in love,the way their eyes seemed to shine and the way
their hands clasped each other.The painter had captured their eyes with
startling skill and realism.
"It must be nice to be in love..."whispered Serenity.
An hour later...
"Princess,you really must stop wandering about with that sad look on
your face."advised Iolite as she stared at Serenity who was dipping her
foot in and out of the pond that was hidden by a mass of vines and trees.
"Iolite...what happened between you and Zoiscite???"
"He was my brother.That was the end of it."snapped Iolite,suddenly taking
a defensive posture.
"He IS your brother.He's not dead!!!"
"In my eyes,he IS."spat Iolite coldly.
"I don't understand you.How can you treat him so coldly and yet,treat me
and advise me with such caring???"asked Serenity.
"I was trained that way.You're different.You're my Princess.My...my..
my friend."hesistated Iolite.
Serenity stared at the lavender haired girl.Serenity understood then...
she was hurting.After all this time,she was still hurting at her brother's
rebelling against the sovereign crown.She was wearing armor to hide all
the hurt and compassion underneath.
"Iolite..."
"Just,forget about it.Okay??"
Serenity watched as Iolite stormed off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sighed...why was everything so difficult???To want to be with
the man you love and yet...not want to betray your sister.
"And when you find any rebels...I want you to kill them.I don't want
anymore trouble like the last time.Be they man,woman or child."
Serenity gasped at the sound of her sister's voice.A hand went to her
throat...her sister couldn't have just ordered a massacre of any rebel
encountered,did she???
"As you command,your Majesty.We will leave at once for the traitorous
village and send them all to the slave mines."came Malachite's voice.
Serenity squeezed her eyes shut.This couldn't be happening...Serenity
shook her head...this couldn't be.She picked up her skirts and ran.
She had to get away....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche squeezed her eyes shut when the last Royal Guard had left.She was
so tired....she had been up all night remembering her sister's words.
Pondering them...agonizing over them.Serenity had called her a cruel
tyrant and that the lust for vengeance was clouding her brain.Last night,
she had decided.She wasn't wrong.Serenity was merely soft and had a gentle
nature.What she was doing was for the good of the Kingdom.Getting rid of
the rebels.
Bruche buried her face in her hands.The order to kill any rebel be they
man,woman or child....had been the hardest thing she had ever done in her
life....
*Serenity....you'll see one day...this is right...I hope..*thought
Bruche to herself sadly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity kept a hand over her mouth to keep from vomitting.The thought
of innocent young children being massacred...the thought sickened her.
She had to do something....and there was only ONE thing she COULD do...
*Forgive me,sister.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity slipped quietly out of her chamber and peeked around for guards.
She jumped at a feminine voice.
"You're leaving aren't you??"
"Iolite??"
"You're going to him."
"I have to.He was right...I don't belong here.I can't belong here.Not
when my heart is with him and my sister turning into a cold monster...."
"You love him."
"More than my own life."acknowledged Serenity staring pleadingly into
green eyes.
"Home is where the heart is.."whispered Iolite sadly.
"What??"
"Nothing...I shouldn't let you go...but you're my friend.And,you deserve
a chance at happiness.Godspeed."sighed Iolite touching Serenity lightly
on the cheek.
"Thank you,Iolite..."
Iolite watched as the silvery ghostlike figure slipped away into the
darkness.
"Take care,Princess..."
She was free....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion stared at the fire as he prodded it with a stick.It was a week
since he'd seen her.He missed her too damn much.When he'd been planning
strategies...all he could think about was her.
"What's wrong Endymion??"asked Beryl sitting next to him.
"You should be happy!!We got us a decisive victory against the Royals by
destroying the routes towards the mountain mines!!"exclaimed Beryl trying
to catch his attention.
"Hmm.."
Beryl frowned.Her jealousy had grown.It wasn't fair.She was stuck on
the outside looking in.Though the Princess didn't hold his body,she as
good as did as she already held his heart and soul.
Beryl frowned at the dark brooding man.He was oblivious to all comments
unless they had something to do with the Princess,the people or battle
strategies and the arrival of Royal soldiers.
Ami huddled closer to Zoiscite.
"I've never seen him this way."
"That's because he was never in love before,my water sprite."smiled
Zoiscite,a devil's grin on his face.
"True...the look of a man in love does make him very mysterious and sexy
though..."mused Ami.
"Hmmph...sexy???I never thought you to say such a word.What's so 'sexy'
and 'mysterious' anyway???"snorted Zoiscite.
"You sound jealous,Zoiscite."laughed Nephrite.
"Quiet you soothsayer."
"I think your jealousy is cute,my love.But seriously.It's mysterious and
sexy because it makes a woman wonder just what type of woman could catch
the eye of a man such as Endymion."enlightened Ami.
Zoiscite frowned.
"You have a point."
"I never thought I'd see the day of a complacent Zoiscite."breathed
Nephrite rubbing his eyes in mockery.
"You're one to talk!!Be careful,or I just might leave Serenity's..oh,
cat,Luna with you for the night????"blinked Zoiscite innocently.
Nephrite shuddered."Please!!No!!That 'cat' shredded my pillows,bedsheet
and my best shirt the last time I kept an eye on that ball of fur."
Ami and Zoiscite laughed.
Minako came running towards the group huddled around the fire.
"Hey!!Hey!!Guess what????"called the bouncing blonde.
"What???"asked Nephrite.
"I saw Serenity walking on the road towards the towns!!!"exclaimed Minako
excitedly,her golden eyes fixed on Endymion's reaction.
She was correct for at the mention of Serenity,he had snapped up.
"What did you say???"
"I said I saw Serenity-"
Minako didn't even get to finish her sentence when Endymion was sprinting
towards the stables.
Beryl gritted her teeth in anger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion rode his horse down towards the road to intercept Serenity.
His thoughts were a blur and right now...all he wanted was the woman he
loved more than his own life.
He stopped his horse in the middle of the road.A small petite ghostly
white figure stepped out of the darkness.
The moon came out from behind the clound and bathed the night with it's
loving silver glow.
His breath caught when he saw her.
Her hair was shining it's silvery colour under the light of the moon.
She had stopped,her eyes widening at the sight of him....
His angel...his siren...
"Endymion..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sucked in her breath.The moonlight was bouncing off his dark
midnight hair making it look like the colour of black pearls.
He was so handsome...
Standing there like a deity from the heavens....
She didn't know how long they'd stood there looking at each other.But
it was clear at that moment,the love they held for each other.Something
they'd been searching for,all their lives...the mirror image of themselves.
They ran toward each other,meeting each other half way.They met in an
embrace.Their hands holding on tightly to each other as to never let go...
Minako peered through the binoculars and sighed.
"They make such a cute couple."
The rest of the rebels grinned and nudged each other...except Beryl who
stood behind,seething with anger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They held each other tightly until slowly,Endymion loosened her arms to
peer down at her.
"Serenity...Why did you come here??"
"I-I..I came here to be with you."whispered Serenity her face flushing.
She thanked the heavens it was at night and he could not see her face due
to the darkness.
"I love you,my siren."whispered Endymion.
Serenity leaned back to stare at Endymion.
"I-I...I love you too,Endymion."stuttered Serenity in surprise.
Endymion smiled as his heart jumped with elation.She loved him as he
loved her....
He leaned down to to kiss her fiercely.He loved her...so much.
They broke to suck in air.Endymion hugged her to him.
*Mine.*thought Endymion possesively as he crushed Serenity jealously to
him.He stared down at the silver curls and tightened his arm around her.
He loved this woman so much,it scared him.This intricate,delicate and
beautiful fragile woman-child was his,and he would kill anybody who tried
to claim her from him.
"I love you,"
"Endy.."squeaked Serenity when he hugged her even tighter.If that was
possible.Endymion grinned and loosed his arms slightly.
"I missed you so much,Endy..."whispered Serenity as she buried her face
into his jerkin.
"I missed you too,my love."
A thought nagged at Serenity's brain.Then,she remembered.
"Oh!!My sister!!She has passed the order for the soldiers to kill any
rebel be they man,woman or child!!"exclaimed Serenity.
"Great goddess..."swore Endymion."Are you certain???"
"Yes."choked Serenity as tears began to well up at her eyes and a choke
caught in her throat.
"Serenity???Love,what is it???"asked Endymion,his voice gentle and
loving.
Serenity let out a sob and buried her face once more in his jerkin,her
fingers clutching at his white shirt.
"What happened to her,Endymion??When did she become so cruel??Why didn't
I see it before???"asked Serenity,tears running down her cheeks.
"You couldn't help it,Serenity.Your love blinded you,that is all."
soothed Endymion,holding her closer.
"But...I was never like that w-with...with my parents."she hesistated.
"Perhaps it was because you were closer to your grandmother,
Queen Selenity."
"I'm alone now..."whispered Serenity,her eyes faraway,shining with
tears.
Endymion frowned down at her and shook her slightly."You're not alone!!
DO you hear me??You're NOT alone.I'm here for you.You'll never be alone
at all,my darling.I won't let you."he stated forcefully.
*Never be alone...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Yes,yes..I can see you guys there yawning at such an easy attainment to
love.The trials have YET to begin...stay tune. :)
Email me with comments please???