When Luna was born, her mother and father rejoiced. She was a beautiful child, and it was apparent immediately that she was exceptionally intelligent. Her parents decided to take her to the queen to be put in training as a priestess when she was two years old, a high honor for a child her age. The queen immediately preferred the child more so than she did the other students and kept Luna by her side nearly all the time. Queen Serenity was truly the only mother Luna knew because she never saw her parents after she was accepted as a priestess. While the other priests-in- training were having classes, Luna was talking with Serenity about deep subjects. Serenity could see that Luna was very thorough with her thoughts, but she had a quick tongue and spoke her mind often without fear. By the time Luna had reached and age of 3, she could read very well, and did so profusely. She read everything she could get her hands on, absorbing information quickly. People were astounded by her knowledge. Secretly, the queen was preparing her to be an advisor. At the age of 10, Luna had read every book in all the libraries of every planet in the system. She was ready to officially be announced as the primary advisor to the queen. Although she valued Luna and knew she would be the best advisor any ruler could hope for, Queen Serenity was concerned. Luna was still only a child, and Serenity felt that she had taken away Luna's childhood. But Luna was adamant. "Your highness, with all due respect, I hold more knowledge than even your most educated scholars. I have read all the ancient scripts I have conversed with you extensively on every subject you have been concerned with. Why will you not make me your royal advisor?" Luna pouted. "Luna, the scholars have something you don't: thousands of years of experience. It's not that I do not believe that you can make good decisions, or that you have not had enough education. I just feel that you are not old enough. Surely you can understand that. My youngest advisor up until this point was still over 100 years old. And you are only 10. Do you not want to experience more in life before you take that step? Because noon of my advisors have had time for love, families, or leisure time after they came to me. You haven't even tasted these yet." Luna understood. Secretly, she prayed that she could become the queen's official advisor soon. It was her only dream. But in many respects, she already was the queen's advisor. The queen came to Luna and usually went with her judgments when she needed and informed opinion. It was also known around the entire kingdom that Luna had special powers, like the ability to read minds. But this never popped into her head. Luna felt that her power was inconsequential, and went along in her life like any normal moon- child. One day, when she was about 16, Luna sat picking flowers in the gardens behind the palace. It was a beautiful place, but was not open to the public except of special occasions. So, she was surprised when he heard a boys voice behind her. "Hello," came the voice behind some bushes. "Wha." Luna whirled around. "Who are you? What are you doing in the gardens? Don't you know that you are not allowed here?" "I'm not?" the teenager asked innocently. "Then why are you here?" "Because I am a priestess for the queen and one of her advisors. I live in the palace." Luna was furious that he would ask such a question. Did he not know who she was?!! "I'm a priest-in-training. I believe I haver every right to be here as you do," the boy smirked. "Do you think you're the only one who is privileged to go around talking to the royalty?" "Why, I.." Luna found herself speechless. She had not be very gracious to this boy, and she had deserved his comment, but it stung. She took a moment to regain her dignity. She bowed her head in resignation. "I'm sorry, please forgive me for being so rude. Of course you have every right to be here. You just startled me, that's all." "I'm glad that you agree." The boy walked over to Luna, who took the opportunity to look him over. He was about her age, maybe a year older, and had very handsome features. His hair was long and silver, and he carried himself well. Luna snapped out of her trance when he proceeded to sit down next to her. "What are you doing? I'm trying to concentrate over here." Luna felt herself getting angry again. "I was coming to make conversation. My name is." "Artemis." Luna said, showing an impatientness for his impertinece. "And I am.." "You must be Luna, the wonder child. No one has every read my mind so quickly before. You must be talented as they say." Luna flushed (out of anger, or so she told herself.) Artemis continued. "Anyway, I figured if you came to the garden to escape, then you must be a great conversationalist, because this is where all the scholars come to concentrate. Besides, I've never actually met a real advisor to the queen. They're usually holed up in their quarters, waiting on her majesty to call on them." Luna laughed. It was true. The advisors seemed to do nothing but wait for the queen to call on them. But not her, she lived her life to the fullest, as the queen had told her so many years before. "I hope the queen didn't hear that. I don't think she would have liked it," Luna giggled. At this, Artemis laughed. "If she's anything like her husband, I'm sure she would have found it just as funny as you did. I attend to the to the needs of the king, that is my duty. Mostly, I tell him jokes, I've never been a great diplomat; not like you." "You know, I've only met the king a couple of times. And what is funny is, I spend more time with the queen sometimes than he does." Luna imagined the queen's husband, a very handsome man who sat back and let his wife rule, which was her birthright. Artemis grinned. "He's a wonderful teacher, anyway, I wish that I could meet the queen. The way he talks about her, you would think she had hung the moon and the sun. Those two are very much in love, it is such a pity that they can't spend enough time together." Luna sighed. It was sad thinking that the queen had a wonderful life, and love to go along with it. Now at the age of 16, Luna had never really gotten a chance to have any suitors, much less a boyfriend. Love was something that she rarely thought about; but when she did she felt depressed. "What's wrong?" Artemis asked after a moment of silence. "You've been quiet for some time now. Did I say something wrong?" "No, it's nothing. I was just wishing for a love like the queen and king's. You know, they say a soul bond like that comes once in a millennium. But, listen to me, going on about love to a complete stranger." Luna looked to the sky, looking for inspiration as to another subject to discuss. And immediately she found it, there was the earth, a beautiful blue and green crystal of life. She pointed up to it, "Artemis have you ever been there?" "No," Artemis shook his head, " but I hear it is very beautiful. Maybe you and I will go there someday." He looked at Luna. "That is, if you want to go with me." Luna blushed, "Are you asking me to go with you?" Artemis grinned, "Yes, what better company than the greatest advisor to the queen!" Artemis chuckled. "Well, that is a very serious request, considering that we just met." Luan looked away. "Does that make you uncomfortable?" Artemis asked, and quickly added, "because if it does, I can drop the subject and we can talk about something else. But to tell the truth, the only reason I came over here was to talk to you." Artemis, looks down into to the grass as his face turns a lovely shade of red. "You are very beautiful, you know." Luna turned an even more crimson color. "Thank you," she looked back at him. "No one has ever said that to me before." Suddenly, Luna gasped and stood up quickly. "Oh no, I have to go!" Artemis looked distressed he thought he had truly offended her, "Wait, where are you going?" "I have a meeting with the queen, and I'm running late! I really must go. Good-bye Artemis." Luna called behind her, taking off at fast pace. "But can I see again?! How about tomorrow, right here about this time?" Artemis called after her. Luna turned and smiled. "All right, I'll see you then." And then she disappeared into the shadows of the palace walls. Luna was out of breath when she finally made it to the queen's chambers. "Your majesty, I'm so sorry that I am late. It is just that I was out in the garden and I lost track of time and." Queen Serenity looked graciously at Luna, "Luna, do not worry. I already know." Queen Serenity patted the bed next to her. Luna nodded and sat down next to her. "That young man, Artemis, he is very entertaining; and very promising as well." Luna blushed. "Yes, your majesty. Please forgive me, I promise not to be late again, it will not happen again." "Do not fret Luna, I am not upset, on the contrary, it is nice to see you taking an interest in young men." Queen Serenity brushed a strand of hair back from Luna's face. "Now, to discuss the business at hand." Queen Serenity and Luna talked for hours before Luna started getting too tired to carry on the conversation. "Luna, you go on to bed. We shall finish our discussion at another time." Once Luna arrived at her room, however, she could not sleep. She stayed awaked, thinking about the boy she had met today. There was something about him that made Luna feel.different. She wasn't exactly sure what it was, but she knew she had to see him again. But soon exhaustion overtook Luna and she drifted off into a peaceful slumber, dreaming of Artemis's gray eyes.