Title:Rebels & Royals.Part 6
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Rating:PG13
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879
Standard Disclaimer Apply
*denotes thought
22/9/01
"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--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two lovers caught between a bitter feud, find sanctuary within each
other's embraces. It doesn't matter she is royal born, and he is rebel bred.
Nature only sees the union of two destined mates. Destiny merely looks upon
them both, and smiles uncaring of the hatred trying to keep them apart.
He will protect the land, and she will bring around peace. So it is
written, and so it is destined.
Serenity stared up at the night sky above them as Endymion held her around
the waist from behind.
"What are you staring at, my love?" asked Endymion as he peered at her
face that was upturned and staring towards the heavens above.
"I am merely musing, love." sighed Serenity as she turned her head
slightly to rest her head in the crook of his neck.
"I love you.." he whispered as he nuzzled her hair.
"I know, Endy. Me too."
"MINAKO HAS RETURNED!! MINAKO HAS RETURNED!!" shouted a voice that
belonged to a boy no older that 16. He was running panickly through the
rebel camp.
Serenity closed her eyes sadly as the peace of the night and the easy,
silent tender moments between herself and Endymion faded, leaving Endymion
to assume his position once more as the rebellion's leader.
Endymion and Serenity made their way towards Minako, whose appearence was
dirty, exhausted and dissheveled.
"Endy..." croaked Minako, her golden eyes locking with his ocean ones.
"What's wrong, Minako? You went to meet one of our spies in the palace.
What happened?" questioned Endymion.
"Arushiwa is dead."
Serenity covered her mouth with her hand.
"What do you mean she's dead?! Arushiwa is our closest spy to the Queen.
What happened, Minako?!" growled Endymion.
"I don't know! I was on my way back here when Malachite stopped me. He
was waiting there. We exchanged words, then guards jump out dragging
Arushiwa's body with them. She was dead." choked Minako.
Serenity's lips trembled. Arushiwa had been one of her sister's maids.
She had sky blue eyes and light blue hair. She'd been pretty and had been
friendly to her.
She pushed past Endymion as hugged Minako.
"It's alright, Minako. It's not your fault." whispered Serenity
comfortingly. Turning towards Endymion with a condemning look, Serenity
chastised him. "Endy, leave Minako alone. She's tired. Don't scold her. It
isn't her fault."
Endymion raised an eyebrow at his beloved who was currently glaring at him
with her sapphire eyes and cradling Minako to her like a protective mother.
He sighed. He could never refuse her when she looked at him. He reached
out with one hand to brush her cheek.
"As you wish, princess."
That brought him another glare and a raspberry from Serenity as she
walked away from him with Minako.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche regarded the people standing in front of her coolly.
"Is everything set??"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The traitorous spy, Arushiwa has been taken care off
and Minako got away as you planned." bowed Malachite.
"Excellent. This will force Endymion-" said the figure in the shadows.
Bruche frowned at the figure. "I did not give you leave to speak."
The figure bowed.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Continue." said Bruche coldly.
"Of course. As I was saying, this will force Endymion to come and
investigate for himself the threat to the rebels and the spies that have
been captured."
"I don't care about the rebels. I want my sister back."
"Of course, Your Majesty. Your sister will be returned to you and the
rebellion will be crushed. I only ask humbly for a small fief."
Bruche nodded. "IF you succeed."
Turning to her general, Bruche smiled slightly.
"General Malachite, why don't you round up all the other Generals and
make plans for capturing the rebels. Both of you are dismissed." ordered
Bruche.
"As you command, Your Majesty." bowed Malachite once more, exiting with
the other person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What do you mean there hasn't been any news from any of our spies at the
Palace??" snapped Endymion as he glared at Beryl.
"Just what I mean. We haven't recieved a peep from any of our spies at the
Palace for DAYS now." exclaimed Beryl.
"How can that be??!" growled Endymion as he got up and started pacing the
floor of the meeting tent.
"Perhaps there is nothing to report?" suggested Seiya as he shrugged his
shoulders.
"Don't be stupid, Seiya. There's ALWAYS something to report about in the
Palace! It's where all the political intrigues happen." chastised Beryl.
"I have to agree with Beryl. Something is wrong. We should have at least
received a message saying everything is quiet for the time being." agreed
Ami.
"Do you suppose they've been found out?" asked Nephrite.
"All of them?? Is it possible??" asked Zoycite.
"It is if you have a spy." commented Haruka.
"It would explain how Malachite knew I'd be using the road he was waiting
at." nodded Minako.
"Much as I hate to admit it, the suggestion is plausible." grimaced
Endymion in disgust as he thought of a turn-coat in their midst.
"If so, I think we should sneak into the Palace and find out if our spies
have really been caught." said Beryl. "What do you think, Endy?"
Endymion sat down and frowned, holding his chin.
"I concur. If they are still alive, we could free them." said Nephrite.
"But it will run a risk of capture." pointed out Ami.
"The secret passage we used to escape." grinned Seiya.
"I'm not sure about this plan..." frowned Minako as she shifted uneasily
in her chair.
"Well, Endymion?? what do you say?" asked Beryl.
"Alright. We'll determine if our spies are still alive, but at the first
sign of trouble, everybody who is on this mission will make a run for it.
NO MATTER what happens." grounded out Endymion, his ocean eyes turning a
piercing cobalt blue.
"Yes sir!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well??" snapped Queen Bruche.
"Everything is going according to plan, Your Majesty. Only five of us
shall be going. The rest will be easy." smiled the figure evilly.
"Good. I don't want to waste anymore time."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty...I will take care of everything."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Endy...do you have to go??" asked Serenity. "I-I have a bad feeling about
this."
"Nothing will happen, darling. I'll come back. I promise." smiled Endymion
as he cupped her cheek, his thumb wiping away the single tear that ran down
her face.
"I love you, Endy..."
Endymion chuckled. "Silly, rabbit. I've got Nephrite, Beryl, Seiya and
Haruka by my side. I'll be fine."
"Listen to me, Endy. My sister isn't as simple as she seems. You have to
be careful. You used the secret passages to escape once. She won't be as
careless again." warned Serenity.
"Alright. I understand."
"Be careful."
"I will. I love you." smiled Endymion as he leaned down and kissed her.
Another tear trickled down Serenity's cheek.
*Be safe, Endy....I couldn't bear it if something happened to you. Please
let my intuition be wrong...*
"Don't worry, Serenity. Endymion loves you. He'll come back." smiled
Minako as they watched them gallop off.
"I know. It isn't that...it's just- I have this strange chill that
something is wrong." she whispered, hugging herself tightly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group made it to the Palace, making their way through the secret
passage ways.
"This should be the dungeon." said Beryl as she pointed to the door.
Endymion nodded.
Beryl pressed a brick into the wall and the door swung open. Beryl exited
the passage ways first.
"Beryl? This isn't the regular dungeons. It looks like-" began Nephrite
before he was blasted with a burst of energy knocking him backwards into the
others.
"A special dungeon??" sneered Beryl. "Right you are."
Endymion cursed. "YOU'RE the traitor!!!?? Everybody, get back-"
"Too late, Endymion." laughed a voice.
Serenity stared at the moon in the sky, holding the silver watch Endymion
had given her. Shaped like a 6-point star with a silver chain attached.
Holding the watch close to her breast, Serenity prayed...
Prayed that Endymion would be safe. That he would return. She looked
beseechingly at the beautiful silver moon shining serenely above.
"Please..."
Turning, Endymion saw two of the Royal Guards had each come from the two
ends of the passage way.
"It was a trap. Perfectly planned and executed. You're under arrest,
Endymion." snickered Jadeite.
Endymion turned accusing angry eyes towards Beryl. "You....why??"
Clutching the watch tighter to herself, Serenity stared at the moon.
"-keep him safe..."
Beryl's lips curled into a parody of a smile. "For you, Endy. This was
all for you. You were being corrupted by the Princess. I did it, for you."
"You've betrayed us all, Beryl. You got some good people killed." growled
Nephrite, as he stared hatefully at her.
"Sacrifices, Neph. Working for the monarchy isn't too bad. And from now
on, it will be Lady Beryl to you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche smiled as the rebels were brought before her. She laughed
triumphantly.
Waving her hand, the Royal Guard exited with the rebels.
"Well done, LADY Beryl. I will restore your family's property and titles
to you. You have done well. When can we round up and crush the rebellion?"
"We are due back in the early morning, Your Majesty." bowed Beryl.
"Very well then. You may take your prize. Give him this." said Bruche as
she gave a pill to Beryl. "You must make sure you are the first person he
sees after he wakes up from the sleep the pill induces."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." smiled Beryl as she bowed and exited.
Beryl climbed the steps towards the room Endymion was in. Her mind danced
with glee over the fact, after tonight, Endymion would be HERS...
Endymion strained at his inhibiting bonds. He glared at them. With the
bonds on, his powers could not work. He stared around the room one of the
guards had placed him in. It seemed a little fancy to place a prisoner in.
Turning his attention back to the task at hand, he struggled with the
bonds. He had to get free. The rebellion...Serenity...they were in danger
of being captured.
The sound of the door opening, made him look up. He despised the sight.
It was Beryl.
A chill ran down Serenity's spine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What do you want??!" he spat.
Beryl lowered her eyelashes and stared coyly at him. "Why Endy, you seem
angry." she purred.
"Angry is a minor word, Beryl." growled Endymion.
"I did it for your own good, Endy. The Princess is no good for you. You
were supposed to be mine." said Beryl as she stood in front of him.
"What??!"
"You were supposed to be mine, Endy. I was always there for you. I was
always watching. I loved you from afar. But you never noticed. No...it was
always the rebellion. Your plans, your strategies. The rebellion was your
life!! I could tolerate that. But then, the snivelling little Princess brat
showed up."
"You watch what you say about Serenity." snapped Endymion, his eyes
flashing.
"There!! You SEE???!! She showed up and SHE managed to tear you away from
matters concerning the rebellion. She managed to get your attention. What
does she have that is so fascinating that I don't have??? How come you fell
in love with her, while I stood by all these years, loving you and yet, you
never noticed???" hissed Beryl.
"You can't force love, Beryl. I don't know why I fell in love with her.
But if you want to know why you're different from her right now, I can tell
you. She's kind, loving, considerate while you're a spiteful, envious,
two-faced bitch! If you hurt her in any way, I'll-"
"Oh, don't worry, Endy. I won't be the one hurting your precious princess.
YOU will." laughed Beryl.
"What?"
Serenity felt another chill strike the pit of her belly. She clutched
the watch even tighter to herself, her hand starting to bleed from the
points pricking into her skin.
"No...please...why?? Keep him safe, I beg you.." whispered Serenity, her
eyes beginning to fill with tears.
Before he understood what was happening, Beryl had him by the throat and
had popped something into his mouth before kissing him.
Just as suddenly as she kissed him, she released him. His lungs were
burning for air. Before he could stop himself, he'd already swallowed the
object and gasped for air.
"What did you give me!?" asked Endymion gagging. It tasted horrible.
"Just something..." smiled Beryl evilly.
"You'll rue the day you did this, Beryl....I swear...it...." yawned
Endymion in between words.
Beryl smiled.
"What...is...going on?? Serenity..." murmured Endymion before he fell onto
the bed, fast asleep.
"Yes, Endymion. Sleep...everything will look better when you awaken."
Serenity screamed, standing up from her kneeling position on the ground.
She screamed at the moon, her hands letting go of the watch. It fell to the
ground, hitting a rock. The glass face of the watch cracked....
A single tear fell from her eye.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity fell to her knees, scooping up the broken watch. She stared at
it mutely as tears began to fall. One of her hands were sore and bleeding
slightly. With a finger, she touched the broken glass.
Ami, Minako and Zoycite had come running.
"Serenity?? What's the matter?? Is something wrong?!" asked Minako as the
three entered the clearing.
Silence.
"Serenity??" called Ami.
Still no response.
"Serenity? Is it because you broke the watch Endymion gave you?" asked
Zoycite as he saw the broken watch she cradled in her hand.
"Endymion won't be angry at you. But, what happened to your hand!!??"
exclaimed Minako as she knelt next to Serenity.
"Endy..." whispered Serenity.
"He'll be back soon." said Ami kneeling beside her too.
Serenity lifted tear filled eyes to the three rebels. "Something's
happened. I know it."
"Don't be silly. Nothing has happened. Endymion's fine." comforted Minako,
though she herself was feeling uneasy.
"I'm sure he'll be back in the morning as he promised." smiled Ami.
"Ami's right. Come on. You must be tired, that's why you're thinking of
all this." suggested Zoycite.
"Maybe...I hope so." mumbled Serenity as the three of them led her away
from the clearing. She stole one last look at the silver moon in the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beryl watched as Endymion blinked slightly. Waking up from the sleep the
pill had induced.
He sat up on the bed and turned to look at Beryl. She noticed his eyes
seemed to have darkened, turning them almost black.
"My love, you are awake." purred Beryl.
Endymion smiled slowly which took her breath away. He'd never smiled at
her that way before. Had the pill worked??
He got off the bed and started towards her. Beryl stood her ground, her
eyes narrowing in case the pill had had no effect on him.
He came to stand before her and suddenly, he wrapped an arm around her
waist and pulled her towards him and captured her lips for a kiss. Triumph
surged through her veins. The pill had worked and now...Endymion was HERS.
Endymion pulled away and his lips curved into a smile.
"Beloved."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche smiled as Endymion knelt before her. The rebellion's leader.
"I pledge my loyalty to your Majesty and will honor, serve and protect
thee." bowed Endymion.
"Arise then, Endymion." said Bruche. "I have a mission for you and my
other generals."
"Your Majesty?" asked Rei puzzled.
General Malachite, General Jadeite, General Rei, General Makoto and
General Iolite. The five of you, will lead a small squadron of 500 troopers
and capture every rebel. Man, woman and child. You, General Endymion, I
hand to you, the task of bringing my sister back. Princess Serenity."
"As you command, Your Majesty." echoed the six as they bowed.
"General Endymion, I will remind you, NO HARM is to come to the Princess."
snarled Bruche as she stared menacingly at him.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I wouldn't dream of injuring Her Highness. She
is after all, a member of the royal family." replied Endymion sardonically.
"Are you sassing me, Endymion?" asked the Queen as she arched an eyebrow.
"Never, Your Majesty." answered Endymion, a smile in his voice.
"Begone with the lot of you." ordered Bruche.
"Your Majesty." bowed the six once more.
Once the six of them had left, Bruche turned to Beryl.
"I see the pill I gave you worked." said Bruche.
"Oh yes, Your Majesty." agreed Beryl with satisfaction. "Did you doubt
it?" she asked confused as to why the monarch would doubt her own medicines.
"Oh, it's not that I doubt it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Also, sometimes the people are enslaved forever and sometimes they manage to
break free. The pill isn't guranteed a 100% results." explained Bruche with
a wave of her hand.
"You mean he might break free of the pill's influences??!!" snapped Beryl
angrily.
"Yes." answered Bruche.
"Why you-" hissed Beryl, her temper igniting.
A surge of power crashed at Beryl, holding her pinned to the wall.
"I wouldn't finish the sentence if I were you. The Royal Guard may not be
around to protect me, but I can handle you on my own." spat Bruche, her
power tightening around Beryl.
Beryl glanced at Bruche who was floating a few inches off the floor, her
body surrounded by the silvery blue aura.
"I don't trust you Beryl, but I let you live. You betrayed them, and you
can easily betray me. Now...leave, before I change my mind." snapped Bruche
coldly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity was awoken harshly by somebody shaking her.
"Serenity. Endymion's back." exclaimed Minako frantic.
"He's back?" echoed Serenity, puzzled at Minako's features she had a
sinking feeling.
"Is he hurt??" she asked.
"No...but, he's alone..and wearing such strange clothes." murmured Minako.
Serenity pushed open her tent flap and exited. She saw Endymion, his
features seemed harsher than when she'd first met him. He caught sight of
her. His lips seemed to curve into a mocking smile as he strode toward her,
his black cape with blood red lining fluttering behind him lightly.
Her breath caught. Something was wrong...
"Serenity." he purred huskily.
"Endy, your clothes..." breathed Serenity.
"Just a disguise I picked up at the Palace." he smiled.
Serenity stared at his eyes. They seemed different...almost, black??
"No...you're-" gasped Serenity when he suddenly caught her by the waist
and sent a burst of energy up into the air.
His strange action caused a panic and a commotion. Troopers and the Royal
Guard were attacking!!
"NO!!" she screamed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minako couldn't believe it. Endymion had led a royal squadron to them.
She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and focused of fighting
free. There would be time later for feelings of betrayal.
"It's over Minako. Why not just surrender gracefully?" came a mocking
voice.
"Malachite.."
She turned to face him, her golden amber eyes burning. Her yellowish-
orange aura flared to life.
"I'd die than surrender." hissed Minako.
"Too bad. Her Majesty wants you alive." smiled Malachite as he lunged at
her.
"It's been a long time, little sister." murmured Zoycite.
"Not so long." snapped Iolite.
They circled each other.
"Why?" asked Iolite.
"Why??" echoed Zoycite confused.
"Why did you do it?? Why did you have to join the rebels?" hissed Iolite
angrily.
"Because I had to. I couldn't be a Royal Guard if it meant tormenting
innocents. You know how the old King and Queen were. They were tyrants."
answered Zoycite calmly.
"I'd always hoped, you would be by my side when I joined the Royal Guard."
muttered Iolite.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you then." said Zoycite.
"Not disappointed enough to not do this." hissed Iolite as she released
energy at him, blasting the ground. Bits of grass and soil flew up and
landed everywhere.
"Yes....and I'm not sorry enough not to fight you." said Zoycite.
Ami had already been subdued by Rei and Makoto while the troopers rounded
up the rebels. Serenity was still struggling against Endymion's strong grip
on her waist.
"Be still, Princess." snapped Endymion sarcastically, his grip tightening.
"No!! Endymion, why are you doing this, what have they done to you??!"
exclaimed Serenity.
"They have done nothing. And you, Princess, how can you betray Her Majesty
this way by joining the rebels??!"
"Because my sister's reign is cruel!! Please, Endy...you're hurting me."
whispered Serenity wincing.
"Hardly." spat Endymion as he glared at Serenity in contempt.
"Endy, please...I love you. Don't do this.." muttered Serenity through
tears that were streaming down her face.
Endymion snorted. "Well, I don't love you. My love is Beryl."
That seemed to shut her up. Serenity was stunned into speechlessness.
*Beryl...he loves Beryl now. She was the traitor.* whispered her mind. It
seemed to be harsh but right now, it was the truth. *Endymion's gone. He's
never coming back...*
With that, all her protests and fight seemed to leave her as she slumped
in his arms, a sign of surrender. She stared unseeingly as the troopers and
Royal Guard captured every rebel...
Nothing mattered anymore. The Endymion she had loved was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sat in front of Endymion on his horse, as she stared at nothing.
She hadn't said a word. She hadn't even resisted when she was lifted up and
placed on the horse. Everything was empty now. A tear slid down her face.
Something had happened in the Palace.
As they got closer to the Palace, Serenity saw her sister and a few guards
by her side waiting for them. Beryl was beside her.
Endymion pulled the horse to a stop. He slid off the horse easily and
then lifted her out of the saddle.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Beryl pushed past her and threw
herself into Endymion's arms. Beryl pulled his head down and kissed him.
Serenity stared. Pain welled up in her breast.
After a moment, they broke apart and Beryl turned to face Serenity.
"Welcome home...PRINCESS." said Beryl nastily. A triumphant gleam in her
eye. She laid her head on Endymion's chest and stared at Serenity through
hooded eyes. A thrill went up her spine at the sight of the royal brat's
pained expression. Her eyes locked accusingly with Endymion's.
Beryl turned her head up to glance at Endymion. His face was unperturbed
by the Princess's look. She smiled and slid her hand up and down Endymion's
strong chest.
"Endy.." whispered Serenity tearfully.
Endymion stared at the Princess. His eyes were masked, showing no emotion.
He stared down at her tearful eyes and heard her whisper his name. The
Princess had said she loved him. And when he'd said he loved Beryl, and she
had seemed to go to pieces, why did he feel like comforting her and
strangling himself for saying those words that had hurt her.
It was strange...
Serenity's stricken expression had not gone unnoticed by Queen Bruche.
Bruche stared sadly at her sister. Her sister loved Endymion and she, Bruche
had handed Endymion to Beryl. She shook her head. It was for the best.
Serenity had to marry Prince Dimando to secure the alliance between their
kingdoms. Bruche felt very small and guilty at that moment for some reason.
"Iolite, Rei. Escort Princess Serenity to her room. I will be up shortly
to have a talk with my sister." ordered Bruche.
"Yes, Your Majesty." answered the two Guards.
Each took one arm of Serenity and turned her towards the Palace.
"This way, Your Highness."
Serenity walked mechanically with them. Unable to resist, Serenity cast
one last look back at Endymion, tears washing her cheeks.
"Goodbye, Endymion?" she whispered.
Though she was sure the two Guards had not heard her, she was somehow
sure Endymion had.
She turned back and walked through the Palace gate.
Endymion merely stared after her. He'd heard her voice that seemed to
drift on the wind, carrying the words she had last said. And why...did that
make him want to cry out??
Beryl stared at his face, her eyes narrowing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sat on her bed. She'd bathed and now wore her white silk gown she
usually wore in the Palace.
Wisps of damp hair escaped from her hairstyle to curl slightly at the
ends.
She stared at her hands what were nestled on her lap. With shaking
fingers, she lifted the silver watch out of her pocket and stared at it.
This was all she had left of Endymion...
With a finger, she lightly traced the watch's crackked surface.
*Cracked...broken. Just like our love.*
She hugged one of the pillows to herself and buried her face into it,
sobbing lightly. "Endy...I miss you. You promised me I'd never be alone.
Well, I'm alone now, Endy...I'm alone now." she whispered to herself
brokenly.
A knock on the door sounded.
"Come in." said Serenity as she hastily wiped her eyes and stuffed the
watch back into her pocket.
"Bruche."
"Serenity."
"I take it, you're still angry at me for running away again?" asked
Serenity calmly.
"Of course I am!! Do you know that you HAVE to marry Dimando for the sake
of an alliance with him?? A marital union would make our ties to his
kingdom stronger." said Bruche.
"I don't want to marry him. Why DO you want this alliance anyway. He's
cruel and callous. He's chauvinistic and the people in his kingdom are
starving. What USE is an alliance with him for anyway??!!"
"This alliance was organized since our births. I have no choice but to
follow Mother and Father's wishes." snapped Bruche.
"They're DEAD!! YOU are Queen now!!" shouted Serenity.
Bruche froze.
Serenity hugged her pillow tighter.
Calmly, Bruche looked at her. "I don't care. You will be down this evening
to greet him. Even if I have to drag you down, kicking and screaming
myself." threathened Bruche.
Serenity didn't answer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche closed the door to Serenity's room and sighed. She didn't want to
be hard on her sister. She had opened her door slightly just now before
knocking and had seen and heard her sister. Her heart had broken at her
sister's words and sobs. But this was for the good of the kingdom.
Wasn't it??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
What do you guys think?? I finally managed to write Chapter 6. Email me
and tell me what you think please?? My inbox is so lonely.
23/9/01
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Rating:PG13
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879
Standard Disclaimer Apply
*denotes thought
22/9/01
"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--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two lovers caught between a bitter feud, find sanctuary within each
other's embraces. It doesn't matter she is royal born, and he is rebel bred.
Nature only sees the union of two destined mates. Destiny merely looks upon
them both, and smiles uncaring of the hatred trying to keep them apart.
He will protect the land, and she will bring around peace. So it is
written, and so it is destined.
Serenity stared up at the night sky above them as Endymion held her around
the waist from behind.
"What are you staring at, my love?" asked Endymion as he peered at her
face that was upturned and staring towards the heavens above.
"I am merely musing, love." sighed Serenity as she turned her head
slightly to rest her head in the crook of his neck.
"I love you.." he whispered as he nuzzled her hair.
"I know, Endy. Me too."
"MINAKO HAS RETURNED!! MINAKO HAS RETURNED!!" shouted a voice that
belonged to a boy no older that 16. He was running panickly through the
rebel camp.
Serenity closed her eyes sadly as the peace of the night and the easy,
silent tender moments between herself and Endymion faded, leaving Endymion
to assume his position once more as the rebellion's leader.
Endymion and Serenity made their way towards Minako, whose appearence was
dirty, exhausted and dissheveled.
"Endy..." croaked Minako, her golden eyes locking with his ocean ones.
"What's wrong, Minako? You went to meet one of our spies in the palace.
What happened?" questioned Endymion.
"Arushiwa is dead."
Serenity covered her mouth with her hand.
"What do you mean she's dead?! Arushiwa is our closest spy to the Queen.
What happened, Minako?!" growled Endymion.
"I don't know! I was on my way back here when Malachite stopped me. He
was waiting there. We exchanged words, then guards jump out dragging
Arushiwa's body with them. She was dead." choked Minako.
Serenity's lips trembled. Arushiwa had been one of her sister's maids.
She had sky blue eyes and light blue hair. She'd been pretty and had been
friendly to her.
She pushed past Endymion as hugged Minako.
"It's alright, Minako. It's not your fault." whispered Serenity
comfortingly. Turning towards Endymion with a condemning look, Serenity
chastised him. "Endy, leave Minako alone. She's tired. Don't scold her. It
isn't her fault."
Endymion raised an eyebrow at his beloved who was currently glaring at him
with her sapphire eyes and cradling Minako to her like a protective mother.
He sighed. He could never refuse her when she looked at him. He reached
out with one hand to brush her cheek.
"As you wish, princess."
That brought him another glare and a raspberry from Serenity as she
walked away from him with Minako.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche regarded the people standing in front of her coolly.
"Is everything set??"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The traitorous spy, Arushiwa has been taken care off
and Minako got away as you planned." bowed Malachite.
"Excellent. This will force Endymion-" said the figure in the shadows.
Bruche frowned at the figure. "I did not give you leave to speak."
The figure bowed.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Continue." said Bruche coldly.
"Of course. As I was saying, this will force Endymion to come and
investigate for himself the threat to the rebels and the spies that have
been captured."
"I don't care about the rebels. I want my sister back."
"Of course, Your Majesty. Your sister will be returned to you and the
rebellion will be crushed. I only ask humbly for a small fief."
Bruche nodded. "IF you succeed."
Turning to her general, Bruche smiled slightly.
"General Malachite, why don't you round up all the other Generals and
make plans for capturing the rebels. Both of you are dismissed." ordered
Bruche.
"As you command, Your Majesty." bowed Malachite once more, exiting with
the other person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What do you mean there hasn't been any news from any of our spies at the
Palace??" snapped Endymion as he glared at Beryl.
"Just what I mean. We haven't recieved a peep from any of our spies at the
Palace for DAYS now." exclaimed Beryl.
"How can that be??!" growled Endymion as he got up and started pacing the
floor of the meeting tent.
"Perhaps there is nothing to report?" suggested Seiya as he shrugged his
shoulders.
"Don't be stupid, Seiya. There's ALWAYS something to report about in the
Palace! It's where all the political intrigues happen." chastised Beryl.
"I have to agree with Beryl. Something is wrong. We should have at least
received a message saying everything is quiet for the time being." agreed
Ami.
"Do you suppose they've been found out?" asked Nephrite.
"All of them?? Is it possible??" asked Zoycite.
"It is if you have a spy." commented Haruka.
"It would explain how Malachite knew I'd be using the road he was waiting
at." nodded Minako.
"Much as I hate to admit it, the suggestion is plausible." grimaced
Endymion in disgust as he thought of a turn-coat in their midst.
"If so, I think we should sneak into the Palace and find out if our spies
have really been caught." said Beryl. "What do you think, Endy?"
Endymion sat down and frowned, holding his chin.
"I concur. If they are still alive, we could free them." said Nephrite.
"But it will run a risk of capture." pointed out Ami.
"The secret passage we used to escape." grinned Seiya.
"I'm not sure about this plan..." frowned Minako as she shifted uneasily
in her chair.
"Well, Endymion?? what do you say?" asked Beryl.
"Alright. We'll determine if our spies are still alive, but at the first
sign of trouble, everybody who is on this mission will make a run for it.
NO MATTER what happens." grounded out Endymion, his ocean eyes turning a
piercing cobalt blue.
"Yes sir!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well??" snapped Queen Bruche.
"Everything is going according to plan, Your Majesty. Only five of us
shall be going. The rest will be easy." smiled the figure evilly.
"Good. I don't want to waste anymore time."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty...I will take care of everything."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Endy...do you have to go??" asked Serenity. "I-I have a bad feeling about
this."
"Nothing will happen, darling. I'll come back. I promise." smiled Endymion
as he cupped her cheek, his thumb wiping away the single tear that ran down
her face.
"I love you, Endy..."
Endymion chuckled. "Silly, rabbit. I've got Nephrite, Beryl, Seiya and
Haruka by my side. I'll be fine."
"Listen to me, Endy. My sister isn't as simple as she seems. You have to
be careful. You used the secret passages to escape once. She won't be as
careless again." warned Serenity.
"Alright. I understand."
"Be careful."
"I will. I love you." smiled Endymion as he leaned down and kissed her.
Another tear trickled down Serenity's cheek.
*Be safe, Endy....I couldn't bear it if something happened to you. Please
let my intuition be wrong...*
"Don't worry, Serenity. Endymion loves you. He'll come back." smiled
Minako as they watched them gallop off.
"I know. It isn't that...it's just- I have this strange chill that
something is wrong." she whispered, hugging herself tightly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group made it to the Palace, making their way through the secret
passage ways.
"This should be the dungeon." said Beryl as she pointed to the door.
Endymion nodded.
Beryl pressed a brick into the wall and the door swung open. Beryl exited
the passage ways first.
"Beryl? This isn't the regular dungeons. It looks like-" began Nephrite
before he was blasted with a burst of energy knocking him backwards into the
others.
"A special dungeon??" sneered Beryl. "Right you are."
Endymion cursed. "YOU'RE the traitor!!!?? Everybody, get back-"
"Too late, Endymion." laughed a voice.
Serenity stared at the moon in the sky, holding the silver watch Endymion
had given her. Shaped like a 6-point star with a silver chain attached.
Holding the watch close to her breast, Serenity prayed...
Prayed that Endymion would be safe. That he would return. She looked
beseechingly at the beautiful silver moon shining serenely above.
"Please..."
Turning, Endymion saw two of the Royal Guards had each come from the two
ends of the passage way.
"It was a trap. Perfectly planned and executed. You're under arrest,
Endymion." snickered Jadeite.
Endymion turned accusing angry eyes towards Beryl. "You....why??"
Clutching the watch tighter to herself, Serenity stared at the moon.
"-keep him safe..."
Beryl's lips curled into a parody of a smile. "For you, Endy. This was
all for you. You were being corrupted by the Princess. I did it, for you."
"You've betrayed us all, Beryl. You got some good people killed." growled
Nephrite, as he stared hatefully at her.
"Sacrifices, Neph. Working for the monarchy isn't too bad. And from now
on, it will be Lady Beryl to you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche smiled as the rebels were brought before her. She laughed
triumphantly.
Waving her hand, the Royal Guard exited with the rebels.
"Well done, LADY Beryl. I will restore your family's property and titles
to you. You have done well. When can we round up and crush the rebellion?"
"We are due back in the early morning, Your Majesty." bowed Beryl.
"Very well then. You may take your prize. Give him this." said Bruche as
she gave a pill to Beryl. "You must make sure you are the first person he
sees after he wakes up from the sleep the pill induces."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." smiled Beryl as she bowed and exited.
Beryl climbed the steps towards the room Endymion was in. Her mind danced
with glee over the fact, after tonight, Endymion would be HERS...
Endymion strained at his inhibiting bonds. He glared at them. With the
bonds on, his powers could not work. He stared around the room one of the
guards had placed him in. It seemed a little fancy to place a prisoner in.
Turning his attention back to the task at hand, he struggled with the
bonds. He had to get free. The rebellion...Serenity...they were in danger
of being captured.
The sound of the door opening, made him look up. He despised the sight.
It was Beryl.
A chill ran down Serenity's spine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What do you want??!" he spat.
Beryl lowered her eyelashes and stared coyly at him. "Why Endy, you seem
angry." she purred.
"Angry is a minor word, Beryl." growled Endymion.
"I did it for your own good, Endy. The Princess is no good for you. You
were supposed to be mine." said Beryl as she stood in front of him.
"What??!"
"You were supposed to be mine, Endy. I was always there for you. I was
always watching. I loved you from afar. But you never noticed. No...it was
always the rebellion. Your plans, your strategies. The rebellion was your
life!! I could tolerate that. But then, the snivelling little Princess brat
showed up."
"You watch what you say about Serenity." snapped Endymion, his eyes
flashing.
"There!! You SEE???!! She showed up and SHE managed to tear you away from
matters concerning the rebellion. She managed to get your attention. What
does she have that is so fascinating that I don't have??? How come you fell
in love with her, while I stood by all these years, loving you and yet, you
never noticed???" hissed Beryl.
"You can't force love, Beryl. I don't know why I fell in love with her.
But if you want to know why you're different from her right now, I can tell
you. She's kind, loving, considerate while you're a spiteful, envious,
two-faced bitch! If you hurt her in any way, I'll-"
"Oh, don't worry, Endy. I won't be the one hurting your precious princess.
YOU will." laughed Beryl.
"What?"
Serenity felt another chill strike the pit of her belly. She clutched
the watch even tighter to herself, her hand starting to bleed from the
points pricking into her skin.
"No...please...why?? Keep him safe, I beg you.." whispered Serenity, her
eyes beginning to fill with tears.
Before he understood what was happening, Beryl had him by the throat and
had popped something into his mouth before kissing him.
Just as suddenly as she kissed him, she released him. His lungs were
burning for air. Before he could stop himself, he'd already swallowed the
object and gasped for air.
"What did you give me!?" asked Endymion gagging. It tasted horrible.
"Just something..." smiled Beryl evilly.
"You'll rue the day you did this, Beryl....I swear...it...." yawned
Endymion in between words.
Beryl smiled.
"What...is...going on?? Serenity..." murmured Endymion before he fell onto
the bed, fast asleep.
"Yes, Endymion. Sleep...everything will look better when you awaken."
Serenity screamed, standing up from her kneeling position on the ground.
She screamed at the moon, her hands letting go of the watch. It fell to the
ground, hitting a rock. The glass face of the watch cracked....
A single tear fell from her eye.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity fell to her knees, scooping up the broken watch. She stared at
it mutely as tears began to fall. One of her hands were sore and bleeding
slightly. With a finger, she touched the broken glass.
Ami, Minako and Zoycite had come running.
"Serenity?? What's the matter?? Is something wrong?!" asked Minako as the
three entered the clearing.
Silence.
"Serenity??" called Ami.
Still no response.
"Serenity? Is it because you broke the watch Endymion gave you?" asked
Zoycite as he saw the broken watch she cradled in her hand.
"Endymion won't be angry at you. But, what happened to your hand!!??"
exclaimed Minako as she knelt next to Serenity.
"Endy..." whispered Serenity.
"He'll be back soon." said Ami kneeling beside her too.
Serenity lifted tear filled eyes to the three rebels. "Something's
happened. I know it."
"Don't be silly. Nothing has happened. Endymion's fine." comforted Minako,
though she herself was feeling uneasy.
"I'm sure he'll be back in the morning as he promised." smiled Ami.
"Ami's right. Come on. You must be tired, that's why you're thinking of
all this." suggested Zoycite.
"Maybe...I hope so." mumbled Serenity as the three of them led her away
from the clearing. She stole one last look at the silver moon in the sky.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beryl watched as Endymion blinked slightly. Waking up from the sleep the
pill had induced.
He sat up on the bed and turned to look at Beryl. She noticed his eyes
seemed to have darkened, turning them almost black.
"My love, you are awake." purred Beryl.
Endymion smiled slowly which took her breath away. He'd never smiled at
her that way before. Had the pill worked??
He got off the bed and started towards her. Beryl stood her ground, her
eyes narrowing in case the pill had had no effect on him.
He came to stand before her and suddenly, he wrapped an arm around her
waist and pulled her towards him and captured her lips for a kiss. Triumph
surged through her veins. The pill had worked and now...Endymion was HERS.
Endymion pulled away and his lips curved into a smile.
"Beloved."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Bruche smiled as Endymion knelt before her. The rebellion's leader.
"I pledge my loyalty to your Majesty and will honor, serve and protect
thee." bowed Endymion.
"Arise then, Endymion." said Bruche. "I have a mission for you and my
other generals."
"Your Majesty?" asked Rei puzzled.
General Malachite, General Jadeite, General Rei, General Makoto and
General Iolite. The five of you, will lead a small squadron of 500 troopers
and capture every rebel. Man, woman and child. You, General Endymion, I
hand to you, the task of bringing my sister back. Princess Serenity."
"As you command, Your Majesty." echoed the six as they bowed.
"General Endymion, I will remind you, NO HARM is to come to the Princess."
snarled Bruche as she stared menacingly at him.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I wouldn't dream of injuring Her Highness. She
is after all, a member of the royal family." replied Endymion sardonically.
"Are you sassing me, Endymion?" asked the Queen as she arched an eyebrow.
"Never, Your Majesty." answered Endymion, a smile in his voice.
"Begone with the lot of you." ordered Bruche.
"Your Majesty." bowed the six once more.
Once the six of them had left, Bruche turned to Beryl.
"I see the pill I gave you worked." said Bruche.
"Oh yes, Your Majesty." agreed Beryl with satisfaction. "Did you doubt
it?" she asked confused as to why the monarch would doubt her own medicines.
"Oh, it's not that I doubt it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Also, sometimes the people are enslaved forever and sometimes they manage to
break free. The pill isn't guranteed a 100% results." explained Bruche with
a wave of her hand.
"You mean he might break free of the pill's influences??!!" snapped Beryl
angrily.
"Yes." answered Bruche.
"Why you-" hissed Beryl, her temper igniting.
A surge of power crashed at Beryl, holding her pinned to the wall.
"I wouldn't finish the sentence if I were you. The Royal Guard may not be
around to protect me, but I can handle you on my own." spat Bruche, her
power tightening around Beryl.
Beryl glanced at Bruche who was floating a few inches off the floor, her
body surrounded by the silvery blue aura.
"I don't trust you Beryl, but I let you live. You betrayed them, and you
can easily betray me. Now...leave, before I change my mind." snapped Bruche
coldly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity was awoken harshly by somebody shaking her.
"Serenity. Endymion's back." exclaimed Minako frantic.
"He's back?" echoed Serenity, puzzled at Minako's features she had a
sinking feeling.
"Is he hurt??" she asked.
"No...but, he's alone..and wearing such strange clothes." murmured Minako.
Serenity pushed open her tent flap and exited. She saw Endymion, his
features seemed harsher than when she'd first met him. He caught sight of
her. His lips seemed to curve into a mocking smile as he strode toward her,
his black cape with blood red lining fluttering behind him lightly.
Her breath caught. Something was wrong...
"Serenity." he purred huskily.
"Endy, your clothes..." breathed Serenity.
"Just a disguise I picked up at the Palace." he smiled.
Serenity stared at his eyes. They seemed different...almost, black??
"No...you're-" gasped Serenity when he suddenly caught her by the waist
and sent a burst of energy up into the air.
His strange action caused a panic and a commotion. Troopers and the Royal
Guard were attacking!!
"NO!!" she screamed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minako couldn't believe it. Endymion had led a royal squadron to them.
She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and focused of fighting
free. There would be time later for feelings of betrayal.
"It's over Minako. Why not just surrender gracefully?" came a mocking
voice.
"Malachite.."
She turned to face him, her golden amber eyes burning. Her yellowish-
orange aura flared to life.
"I'd die than surrender." hissed Minako.
"Too bad. Her Majesty wants you alive." smiled Malachite as he lunged at
her.
"It's been a long time, little sister." murmured Zoycite.
"Not so long." snapped Iolite.
They circled each other.
"Why?" asked Iolite.
"Why??" echoed Zoycite confused.
"Why did you do it?? Why did you have to join the rebels?" hissed Iolite
angrily.
"Because I had to. I couldn't be a Royal Guard if it meant tormenting
innocents. You know how the old King and Queen were. They were tyrants."
answered Zoycite calmly.
"I'd always hoped, you would be by my side when I joined the Royal Guard."
muttered Iolite.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you then." said Zoycite.
"Not disappointed enough to not do this." hissed Iolite as she released
energy at him, blasting the ground. Bits of grass and soil flew up and
landed everywhere.
"Yes....and I'm not sorry enough not to fight you." said Zoycite.
Ami had already been subdued by Rei and Makoto while the troopers rounded
up the rebels. Serenity was still struggling against Endymion's strong grip
on her waist.
"Be still, Princess." snapped Endymion sarcastically, his grip tightening.
"No!! Endymion, why are you doing this, what have they done to you??!"
exclaimed Serenity.
"They have done nothing. And you, Princess, how can you betray Her Majesty
this way by joining the rebels??!"
"Because my sister's reign is cruel!! Please, Endy...you're hurting me."
whispered Serenity wincing.
"Hardly." spat Endymion as he glared at Serenity in contempt.
"Endy, please...I love you. Don't do this.." muttered Serenity through
tears that were streaming down her face.
Endymion snorted. "Well, I don't love you. My love is Beryl."
That seemed to shut her up. Serenity was stunned into speechlessness.
*Beryl...he loves Beryl now. She was the traitor.* whispered her mind. It
seemed to be harsh but right now, it was the truth. *Endymion's gone. He's
never coming back...*
With that, all her protests and fight seemed to leave her as she slumped
in his arms, a sign of surrender. She stared unseeingly as the troopers and
Royal Guard captured every rebel...
Nothing mattered anymore. The Endymion she had loved was gone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sat in front of Endymion on his horse, as she stared at nothing.
She hadn't said a word. She hadn't even resisted when she was lifted up and
placed on the horse. Everything was empty now. A tear slid down her face.
Something had happened in the Palace.
As they got closer to the Palace, Serenity saw her sister and a few guards
by her side waiting for them. Beryl was beside her.
Endymion pulled the horse to a stop. He slid off the horse easily and
then lifted her out of the saddle.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Beryl pushed past her and threw
herself into Endymion's arms. Beryl pulled his head down and kissed him.
Serenity stared. Pain welled up in her breast.
After a moment, they broke apart and Beryl turned to face Serenity.
"Welcome home...PRINCESS." said Beryl nastily. A triumphant gleam in her
eye. She laid her head on Endymion's chest and stared at Serenity through
hooded eyes. A thrill went up her spine at the sight of the royal brat's
pained expression. Her eyes locked accusingly with Endymion's.
Beryl turned her head up to glance at Endymion. His face was unperturbed
by the Princess's look. She smiled and slid her hand up and down Endymion's
strong chest.
"Endy.." whispered Serenity tearfully.
Endymion stared at the Princess. His eyes were masked, showing no emotion.
He stared down at her tearful eyes and heard her whisper his name. The
Princess had said she loved him. And when he'd said he loved Beryl, and she
had seemed to go to pieces, why did he feel like comforting her and
strangling himself for saying those words that had hurt her.
It was strange...
Serenity's stricken expression had not gone unnoticed by Queen Bruche.
Bruche stared sadly at her sister. Her sister loved Endymion and she, Bruche
had handed Endymion to Beryl. She shook her head. It was for the best.
Serenity had to marry Prince Dimando to secure the alliance between their
kingdoms. Bruche felt very small and guilty at that moment for some reason.
"Iolite, Rei. Escort Princess Serenity to her room. I will be up shortly
to have a talk with my sister." ordered Bruche.
"Yes, Your Majesty." answered the two Guards.
Each took one arm of Serenity and turned her towards the Palace.
"This way, Your Highness."
Serenity walked mechanically with them. Unable to resist, Serenity cast
one last look back at Endymion, tears washing her cheeks.
"Goodbye, Endymion?" she whispered.
Though she was sure the two Guards had not heard her, she was somehow
sure Endymion had.
She turned back and walked through the Palace gate.
Endymion merely stared after her. He'd heard her voice that seemed to
drift on the wind, carrying the words she had last said. And why...did that
make him want to cry out??
Beryl stared at his face, her eyes narrowing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity sat on her bed. She'd bathed and now wore her white silk gown she
usually wore in the Palace.
Wisps of damp hair escaped from her hairstyle to curl slightly at the
ends.
She stared at her hands what were nestled on her lap. With shaking
fingers, she lifted the silver watch out of her pocket and stared at it.
This was all she had left of Endymion...
With a finger, she lightly traced the watch's crackked surface.
*Cracked...broken. Just like our love.*
She hugged one of the pillows to herself and buried her face into it,
sobbing lightly. "Endy...I miss you. You promised me I'd never be alone.
Well, I'm alone now, Endy...I'm alone now." she whispered to herself
brokenly.
A knock on the door sounded.
"Come in." said Serenity as she hastily wiped her eyes and stuffed the
watch back into her pocket.
"Bruche."
"Serenity."
"I take it, you're still angry at me for running away again?" asked
Serenity calmly.
"Of course I am!! Do you know that you HAVE to marry Dimando for the sake
of an alliance with him?? A marital union would make our ties to his
kingdom stronger." said Bruche.
"I don't want to marry him. Why DO you want this alliance anyway. He's
cruel and callous. He's chauvinistic and the people in his kingdom are
starving. What USE is an alliance with him for anyway??!!"
"This alliance was organized since our births. I have no choice but to
follow Mother and Father's wishes." snapped Bruche.
"They're DEAD!! YOU are Queen now!!" shouted Serenity.
Bruche froze.
Serenity hugged her pillow tighter.
Calmly, Bruche looked at her. "I don't care. You will be down this evening
to greet him. Even if I have to drag you down, kicking and screaming
myself." threathened Bruche.
Serenity didn't answer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruche closed the door to Serenity's room and sighed. She didn't want to
be hard on her sister. She had opened her door slightly just now before
knocking and had seen and heard her sister. Her heart had broken at her
sister's words and sobs. But this was for the good of the kingdom.
Wasn't it??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
What do you guys think?? I finally managed to write Chapter 6. Email me
and tell me what you think please?? My inbox is so lonely.
23/9/01