I think this is going to end up being 13 or 14 chapters instead of
12.
Chapter Seven, Escape:
It was at the river that Serenity met Wesley and Miriam
two mornings later. Once again, Darla did not show up. "Oh I was
hoping you could meet Princess Darla this time. She is so kind,"
Miriam was saying as the distraught Princess Serenity staggered
toward them, still blinded by her tears.
"Serenity," they both said and came up to her. Each one
holding her up by each arm. Wesley was on the left, and Miriam was
on the right.
"It is all right Serenity. We are right here," Miriam
reassured her.
As they sat with their feet dangling in the river, Wesley
asked the question. "What is wrong darling?" The fingers on his
hands were intertwined with hers.
She looked sadly, resigned, into his eyes. "I am so sorry
for what I have to say Wesley. Please understand this is not in my
control. There is nothing I can do.
Miriam and Wesley looked at one another in concern then
turned back to Serenity. Wesley squeezed her hands reassuringly.
"I am right here. Whatever is wrong we will work through it. Tell
me what happened."
"Do you not understand dear Wesley? There is no working
through it," Serenity said, between the sobs still wracking her
entire body.
"Here," he said pulling her into his embrace comfortingly.
"It is all right. Tell me Serenity. Tell me please."
"I...I am to...to...be married," she blurted out and broke
down in tears with her face buried in his shoulder.
"Oh Serenity," he said quietly. "I am so sorry."
Miriam stood up. "Have you given up? That easily?" her
words came out passionately. "You do not dare give up Serenity. Do
not dare let them win this. We are going to find a way through
this."
"You think we can?" Wesley asked.
"Of course. We have to," Miriam added.
Wesley nodded. "I do not know if we can, but we must have
faith. Besides we have to at least try. Do you not agree
Serenity?"
"Try...you mean you think there is still a chance?"
"I am sure of it," Miriam said.
"I believe in it too," Wesley said.
"I do not have the faith you two do."
"That is all right Serenity. Just promise you will try with
me please. I do not want to lose you," Wesley pleaded.
"Of course, of course I will try nearly anything."
"Nearly?" Miriam asked. "You have to be willing to go all
out on this Serenity. That means anything."
"Well, not anything. I will not kill for example."
"Oh all right anything within moral grounds," Miriam said,
sighing at Serenity's literal interpretation.
Serenity smiled a bit, her tears stopping. She looked at
the flowing river, feeling a small spark of hope inside her. *I
truly hope we can find a way.* "You two need to understand this is
a tradition. There is No way my parents will budge on it. So
convincing them is absolutely out of the question."
"What happens if we get married first?" Wesley asked.
"You would do that? I doubt we could here. I am known much
too well in the Moon Kingdom and really throughout the solar system
as well as other parts of the galaxy. If I change my name for the
ceremony, it will not be me who legally married you. If by some
miracle someone in this solar system will marry us despite kingdom
rules or without being aware of them, I am almost certain my
parents could and would undo the marriage with their authority."
Wesley nodded sadly. "We are in trouble then."
The three sat silently for a few minutes before Miriam
finally looked at Serenity with conviction in her eyes. "Unless
they could not find you," she said.
"What do you mean?" Serenity asked.
"I mean you get a new identity and live on another planet
and marry Wesley."
Wesley and Serenity looked at each other. "What if they
find us?" Serenity asked.
"Well we will have to plan it so carefully that they do
not," Miriam said.
Wesley's eyes filled with hope. Serenity's were still
quite clouded with doubt. "We could still mess up."
"That is the risk you take for love Serenity," Miriam
said passionately.
"Maybe you do...I am not so sure."
"Do not pressure her please Miriam," Wesley requested.
"She has to make this decision on her own."
Serenity looked at him appreciatively. "Leave our home.
Leave our families. Leave our friends? How can we do that?"
"I can and will," Wesley said with such conviction it
filled Serenity's heart with warmth.
"It is not that easy for me," Serenity said.
"It is not at all easy for me Serenity. This will be the
hardest thing I have ever done, but I know in my heart it is worth
it and because it is the only way to be together I will do it,"
Wesley said.
"I...I just do not know. Of course I want to be with you
more than anything in the world, but I do not know that I have the
courage to be away from all I have known, to defy my parents that
openly, and most of all to leave my dearest friends Miriam and
Darla."
"You know I understand Serenity. Darla will too," Miriam
said.
"The other day though...she did not seem to understand at
all," Serenity said honestly.
"I know. She does not quite understand the depth of your
love for him or our disregard for conventions, but she cares for us
and tries to understand. She supports us no matter what in the end,"
Miriam said.
"Of course you are right," Serenity admitted. "I do not
want to leave you two though. What will I do without any friends?"
Miriam looked at Wesley. "You will have him. He is your best
friend and soul mate all rolled into one." She winked at Serenity.
"We will keep in contact somehow, and you will be able to make new
friends there again Serenity."
"Give me tonight," Serenity requested.
"Of course. Take your time Serenity," Wesley said, his love
shining through his eyes.
They all walked to the palace gates together this time. Each
one sensing how fragile his or her time with one another was now.
"See you tomorrow Serenity," Miriam said, waving and making
the V sign.
Serenity waved. "Yes tomorrow soul sister."
"Goodbye dearest."
"Goodbye dearest," Serenity said, kissing him on the cheek.
They embraced one another for a minute before she returned to her
bedchamber. Serenity did not sleep that night; the thoughts were
turning around in her head. Confusion and doubt clouded her thoughts
from becoming coherent. She fell asleep for a few minutes a few
times during the night, only to be awakened from terrifying
nightmares. Her fears of losing him, Miriam, Lune, and her life all
rolled into the nightmares.
That morning, as Christine was getting her ready for her day
of studying with her guards Callie, Maddie, Lily, and Trina, she
thought of why she wanted to stay here. *I know I am comfortable with
my life here. Comfortable is equated with good in my mind, but this
is my chance to escape the princess life I so despise and be a
regular citizen of some other planet. No, it will not be comfortable,
but it will be right,* she thought. *The right thing is often the
hardest,* she realized. *I do not want to defy my parents. I do not
want to hurt them or disrespect them, but they have never respected
me. So, although it pains me greatly, I may have to make the decision
best for myself as Lune has taught me.*
She truly did not like that thought, but she also believed in
it more and more each day. *Miriam and Darla and Lune will be the
hardest parts about leaving. They are all such important parts of my
life. It will hurt me deeply to leave them, but they will
understand.* She looked in her heart and felt that she needed to go
be with Wesley. *This time I will listen to Lune's advice and follow
my heart. I will go with my love to another planet,* and she sighed
in relief having come to her decision. Of course, doubts plagued her
all day, but every time she looked inside her heart the answer was
the same. Her heart did not doubt it. Only her mind, conditioned to
think in this way by her parents, doubted it at times. *At least I
am now aware of that,* Serenity thought, struggling through the day
to make it to that night and tell Wesley and Miriam of her decision.
That early morning she was there before either of them
showed up, after having another restless night. She sat down, her
feet danglingin the cool river, when she saw Wesley approaching. She
ran up and hugged him. "Serenity?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," she said. "I will go with you. Anywhere, I will go
with you," she promised.
A smile lit up his face, and he hugged her tightly. "I am so
glad. So glad," he said, tears streaming from both of their eyes.
Miriam walked up and began skipping toward them, giggling
when she saw how happy they were. Her face was also lit up with a
smile. "You agreed?" she asked Serenity happily.
"Yes," Wesley and Serenity said in unison.
The three of them embraced in one huge, comforting group
hug. "I love you two," Miriam said happily.
"I love you two too," Serenity said, feeling content.
"I love you both so much," Wesley said happily too.
They sat down on the edge of the river. "Where should we
go?" Wesley finally broke the silence by asking.
"I thought about that," Serenity admitted. "There is this
planet that I have always liked looking at and been drawn to besides
Miriam's home planet of Venus of course. I would like to go to Venus
the most of course, but I am sure my parents would search there
first."
"I am sure of that too," Miriam added.
Wesley nodded.
"Is there somewhere you want to go?" Serenity asked.
"No. I really do not care so long as I am with you."
"I do not really care either," Serenity said.
"Tell me about this planet you are drawn to."
"It is earth, and then we could have Darla's support."
"Wonderful," Miriam said.
"Yes, Earth, that is where we will go dearest Serenity,"
Wesley said.
Serenity smiled some. "We really need to get in contact with
her and find out why she has not come to the last few meetings. I am
worried about her."
"I am too," Miriam admitted.
"I hope she is all right," Wesley said. "Now I wonder how we
will get there, and how we will learn the language."
"We have portals in the Moon Kingdom to other planets. As
long as we pick a morning when they are not being cleaned we can
easily transport to Earth without anyone knowing. I was born with the
inherent ability to speak and understand languages throughout the
galaxy, and I have already learned the language of the planet Titanium
and have begun my studies of the language of the planet Litrate. Guards
do not have this inherent ability to speak the languages of the galaxy,
but it is essential that they know these languages so our palace also
has crystal machines that put the information in a guard's brain
automatically. I am sure it will work on anyone, even though only
guards are allowed to use it because of protocol. You can use one of
those. I will have to find out when those language pods are not being
cleaned. I am sure it is different days than the days the transport
pods are not being cleaned."
Wesley nodded. "I guess we are all right then."
"Not exactly," Serenity admitted. "I did learn from a visit
with Lune to Mars that knowing the language does not mean one knows the
culture. I have not yet learned about Earth in my studies. So, we both
need to learn about the culture. We need to study every rule and nuance
and social custom, so that we can fit in."
"You are right," Wesley said.
"You got to go to Mars? I am so jealous," Miriam said, only
half joking.
Serenity laughed, and Miriam laughed with her.
"We can do this Wesley," Serenity said reassuringly when she
noticed he did not join in the laughter.
"I know, but I hate the thought of separating you from her and
your other friends Lune and Darla. Also, I will miss my parents so very
much."
"Oh Wesley. I know you will. Do you think we could tell your
parents without fear of them telling my parents or anyone else? Then
they would know, and that would make it easier would it not?"
"Oh yes. I would like that very much. I am sure my father would
not tell. I am not sure about my mother. Let me try to tell my father,
and if he is receptive, he will help me tell my mother. I will just
tell them that we are going. I will not tell them where. That way no
matter what they cannot give away where we have gone. I am sure they
would not go tell right away, so we would still have time to get away."
Serenity nodded. "After we finish studying, you can tell them.
I think I better tell Lune about this. I do not think she would tell
do you?"
"I do not think so," Wesley said.
"I am sure she would not," Miriam said with assurance.
They all agreed to meet two mornings from this one to meet with
Lune, and Serenity and Miriam would each bring six books to read on the
culture of Earth.
Two mornings later they did meet at Lune's cottage and entered
it because she had given them permission to simply enter at any time.
They found her on the back porch again. "Lune!" Miriam said in a loud,
excited voice.
Lune got up from her chair and looked at the three of them.
"Hello Miriam, Serenity, and Wesley. How are the three of you?"
"I am well," Serenity said.
"I am well too," Wesley said.
"We are all well," Miriam added.
"What brings you here? More magical time?" Lune asked them.
Miriam stepped forward. "Serenity has something to tell you."
Lune nodded and looked at Serenity. "All right, what is it
dear?"
"Why me?" Serenity asked.
"Would you like me to tell her dearest?" Wesley asked.
"It is all right. I do not mind," Serenity said. "Wesley and I
have made a decision." Her eyes and body tightened with conviction.
"I know you may not like what I have to say, but I am certain of my
decision and determined to follow through with it."
"Sit down Serenity," Lune said. "Calm down. You need not expect
me to be against you. I will not deter you from your choice and will
only give you advice if you want it."
Serenity sat down and allowed her body to unwind. She took a
deep breath as Miriam and Wesley also sat down. The four of them were
sitting in a circle with Miriam and Serenity next to Lune and Wesley
across from Lune. "Wesley and I are going to the planet Earth to be
married. We will have studied their culture and then assume new
identities when we go," Serenity said in determination.
Lune smiled. "I think this is the right decision. I hope you
realize that all will not go perfectly with this decision though. You
do not realize I think how hard it will be to get there, and once you
get there it will only get harder, not easier."
"We understand, but we have no choice. Otherwise I will be
married to Raymond. I have made the choice, and I will follow through
with it. You can support me or..."
"I support you," Lune interrupted. "Now if only you could learn
to stand up to your parents like this, but I am glad you are learning
to rebel against them and to stand up to me. It gives me pride to know
that I have taught you the power inside yourself. I think the time on
Earth will be good for you and teach you how to be more confident and
separate from your parents' influence."
Serenity looked at Wesley, and he nodded. "No...Lune, I do not
think you understand. We are not going for some time. We are going for
the rest of our lives."
Lune closed her eyes for a few moments and moved ever so
slightly. "You are giving up your throne?"
"Well, essentially, yes, but that is not the important point.
The more important fact is that I may not ever see you or Miriam or
Darla again, and I...I will miss you all so much."
Lune smiled in sorrow. "Serenity dear I will miss you too. This
decision is obviously important to you. Please know I am with you
there in spirit always."
"Let us get looking through these books and studying the
culture," Wesley said.
A couple of weeks later Serenity was on a date with Raymond at
the order of her parents. She was trying to stay as far away from him as
possible, but when she sat across from him at the restaurant table, he
just moved his chair next to hers. Raymond leaned in for a kiss.
Serenity turned her head. "No thank you Raymond. We have not been
acquainted long," *and I cannot stand you,* she added in her mind.
Raymond growled but did not pursue the matter further in the restaurant.
Once they were out walking though and got far enough in the gardens
to be out of others' sight, he grabbed her by the hair and threw her on
the ground. "No one tells me no," he growled. He grabbed her by the arm
and pulled her up roughly, grabbing her shoulders, and slamming her into
a garden wall. He then kissed her on the mouth. She struggled weakly
behind his tight grasp. His tongue going deeply into her mouth, she
struggled to breath and move. Finally, he let her go and slapped her
hard in the face. "Do not ever defy me again princess," he said angrily.
"I will not," she promised quietly, shaking with fear.
He nodded in approval and slipped his arm around hers. "Now,
where to princess?"
When she did not answer, he smiled and said. "I guess we will
go where I want, even better. I think I would like to go to the palace.
To your room perhaps?" Everything inside her stopped, paralyzed. His
eyes shone with lust. Fear and disgust filled Serenity. *Try not to
show your fear.* She smiled weakly and did not respond, not wanting
to anger him again. When they returned to the palace, after Serenity
had managed to distract him temporarily by going to the fountain first,
Serenity was thankful for his parents being there to request his
presence back at the Moon Palace hotel.
That night it was hard to sleep. Flashbacks of his hands on
her and his lips on her lips filled her mind with horror and
restlessness. The soreness and pain of her body and face also made it
difficult to get any sleep.
That night she anxiously ran to Lune's cottage to meet with
Miriam and Wesley and continue the studying they were halfway done with.
When she arrived, Lune was out on the back porch alone. She approached
her cautiously and sat down on a chair beside her without making any
noise. She had learned long ago from her parents how to not make any
noise. She did not want to draw any attention to herself; she knew that
was dangerous. The assault by Raymond reinforced that need to be hidden
away.
Lune sensed her anyway though and turned toward her slowly.
"Serenity," she said quietly, sorrow filled her voice. "Tell me what
happened. You are scared again."
"Yes," Serenity said quietly. She looked down in shame.
"Do not be ashamed Serenity. Tell me what happened."
Serenity began to have trouble breathing.
Wesley approached. "Serenity," he said, coming toward her
immediately. "Your face is bruised, and you are shaking, barely
breathing." He held her in his arms, but she recoiled. Miriam came in
as Wesley backed away. "What happened Serenity?"
"What happened?" Miriam asked in concern, running toward
Serenity.
"She will not let me touch her," Wesley said in concern.
"Your face Serenity. Can I touch you?" Miriam asked.
Serenity nodded.
Miriam embraced her. "It is all right. You are safe now. It is
all right," she repeated softly several times, and Serenity began to
cry. "He assaulted me," she began.
"Who?" Wesley asked.
"Oh Serenity," Miriam held her close.
Lune asked them both to be quiet. "Tell us what happened
Serenity. There is no need to be ashamed. It is his fault. He did this
to you; you are not to blame I promise."
"Breathe Serenity," Miriam said. "Take slow, deep breaths."
Serenity concentrated on Miriam's safe touch and on taking
slow, deep breaths. Trying to calm the fear and muddle inside her
stomach.
"He...he...we were just eating, and oh it is all my fault," she
said quietly.
"Oh no Serenity. That jerk. It was Raymond was it not?"
"Yes...yes...my parents made me go on a date with him. I tried
to sit away from him, and I would not accept his kiss at the
restaurant, and so then...then...we...we...went walking...in...in...
the...the..."
"Serenity, I am right here. It is all right," Wesley reassured
her as Miriam hugged her close and squeezed her hand.
"He pushed me on the ground in the garden then pulled me up,
pushed me against the wall, and forced me to kiss him. I did not want
to. I really did not."
"Oh Serenity we know you did not want to," Miriam said softly.
"It is all right now. We are right here."
"Serenity, I do not know how to make things better for you. I
wish so badly I could take this away for you. I am so sorry that I
cannot, but please know that I am here for you. We all are," Wesley
reassured her.
Serenity nodded. "I am so sorry for flinching when you touched
me. I just felt so sick at the thought of being touched by a man."
"It is all right. I understand Serenity. Take your time. I am
here for you through this," Wesley promised.
Serenity smiled weakly. "Thank you."
"Serenity darling, what happened to your face though?" Wesley
asked gently.
"He...he slapped me too."
Wesley shook his head. "It is all right now; you are not with
him, and you will not ever have to be around that rotten jerk again."
"Are you sure?" Serenity asked.
"Have you told your parents yet Serenity?" Lune asked.
"No," Serenity admitted. "I was too ashamed. I figured they
would think I led him on."
"It is hard to tell what their reaction will be, but I would be
pleasantly surprised if they were very supportive of you through this.
Hopefully they will at least stop the engagement," Lune said.
Wesley and Serenity looked at each other. "Should we call off
the trip out then?" Serenity asked Lune.
"No," Lune said. "I would wait. As I said, it would surprise me
if they supported you through this. Even if they call off the
engagement they will just engage you to someone else whom you do not
love."
"But if they are willing to do that for me, I feel like I
should not disrespect them," Serenity said.
"Really Serenity, they hurt you. This one act of kindness would
not make up for that or undo that. Let us just wait until we find out
their reaction," Lune said.
"All right," Serenity nodded, still clinging to Miriam's soft,
safe touch. Miriam sat next to Serenity and held her hand, patting it
reassuringly.
"Lune, do you think we will make it in this other world?"
Serenity asked.
"I do Serenity."
"Do you believe we will still be able to see you and Miriam
and Darla...that it will all work out?" Serenity questioned.
"I do not know about that Serenity. All I know is that in the
end it will all work out. Mind you, the end is not the end of your
lives."
"Well, I already know about that belief Lune, but will we be
able to make it on our own and live happily on the Earth?"
"I cannot answer that question Serenity. I believe you can
make it, and I think that you probably will. I doubt you will be
always happy. I am sure you will have hardships and happiness
together. How long it will last I do not know."
"You think our love may not last?" Serenity asked fearfully.
"Ah, no. I did not say that. Your love will last always
Serenity. Whether you will be together always, I do not know. In
heart and soul you will be though, of that I am sure. Just as you
and Miriam are linked by soul and heart always."
Serenity nodded. "I understand, but I do not want to ever
lose him."
"Serenity dear, I wish I could say that would not happen,
but unfortunately life does not always work out the way we wish and
hope."
"Lune, you have never told us about your life. Tell us of
where you come from and what has happened to you please," Miriam
requested.
Lune nodded. "I thought that this day would come. Seeing as
in a couple more weeks we will all be separated again. You two on the
Earth, Miriam on Venus, and I still here on the Moon, I think it is
time I tell you my story." Lune sighed. "This is a hard truth for me to
tell. These are hard memories for me to look back upon, so bear with me
please." The three gathered nearer, and Miriam and Serenity placed their
hands upon each of her knees to reassure her. Lune smiled. "I am lucky
to have you all in my life. I knew this day of separation would come as
you grew and matured. I am sorry to see it come though. I will miss you
all terribly." Tears came to everyone's eyes.
"I was the oldest sister of two. A princess of the planet
Titanium," Lune began, her eyes clouding over with the memories of a
time not so long ago, yet so very long ago. My parents were very strict
and all about following the rules, but my nature was to rebel against
that. I did not like following all these traditions and conventional
ways of doing and looking at things. Miriam, Serenity, and Wesley all
smiled, each seeing a bit of themselves in her. My younger sister was
quite the opposite. She was very obedient. I always thought I had more
fun as a child, so I felt badly for her. However, growing older, I know
that there was much each of us missed out on and gained from our unique
perspectives. I admire some traits she had that I did not have, such as
patience and perseverance. I have gained those traits with time and
sadness and loss unfortunately. The point is that although I was
supposed to get the throne because of being the oldest, my youngest
sister Tara was always favored because of her obedience and compliance
and conformity. I was more adventurous, and at the age of 16, when I
met a witch traveling through the city just outside the palace grounds,
I began training with this witch named Diana and learned so much about
magic. Within two years, I was very powerful and good with my magic
though no one knew I could do any magic except for my family who wanted
to keep it secret because it did not conform with protocol. Even they
did not realize the extent or amount of my powers at all. It was at the
age of 18 that I met William. He was considered a lowly servant of
Princess Selenity, your mother Princess Serenity. This was also the
time of the debate when your mother met your father. I witnessed that,
but I noticed William much more. I discovered from my sister that he was
a lowly servant due to having and voicing such eccentric thoughts. He
was a hard worker though, so he really could have been a higher servant
if he had not voiced such so called eccentric thoughts. We fell in love
at first sight and spent the next few weeks of that celebration together
secretly. I showed him my powers, and we realized we could never be
together, similar to you and Wesley. That was when I decided to go with
William back to the Moon Kingdom to be married. We did not have to
worry about getting different identities because I knew once we were
married they would only try to get me back for a short time, and I
could use my magic to ward them off. I was quite powerful by now. I
knew it would not be long before they just handed the throne over to
my sister as I would request them to do in a note anyway. We lived in
this hut on the edge of the kingdom, mostly because we wanted our
privacy, but also because upon our marriage the King of the Moon at
this time told us we could only stay on this planet if we hid away. We
were quite content and in two years, just before I turned 20, I had our
child. We named her Luna. When Luna was three years old, and I was 23
years old, I sensed a bad presence approaching. Now I wanted to think
things through, but William, who always had a much stronger faith than
I, was determined to go find and destroy this bad force. I did
convince him to go with me to warn the King of the Moon, but he warned
us if we came out from our boundaries again we would be banished from
the Moon Kingdom. William convinced me with his strong faith to not
listen to my doubts and go try to stop Queen Beryl ourselves. You see,
we had discovered the presence I was sensing was Metalia and Queen
Beryl through research. Metalia though had not been awakened luckily,
but Queen Beryl's goal was to awaken her by attacking the Moon Kingdom
and using our energy to feed Metalia and thus awaken Metalia. When we
went there, we were able to stop Queen Beryl and trap her, but," Lune
sighed, "William was killed." She stopped her account here for a few
minutes as the others hugged her and tried to comfort her. "Do not
worry," she said. "Years of sorrow have plagued me from this, but I
have survived. The worst is yet to come. The pain will never truly go
away, but I will see them again someday. Of that I am sure. I believe."
"See who? What happened?" Serenity asked.
"Well, when I returned to the hut, my daughter Luna was gone
and a note was there signed by Jadeite, a minion of Queen Beryl. He
had
killed my daughter. Not a day goes by without them in my thoughts,
heart, and soul. They were both my life, and in one day they were
both taken away from me," Lune sobbed.
They all hugged her again.
"I looked everywhere for her of course," Lune said. "Hoping
it was not true, not wanting to believe it. I am not sure when I
finally accepted it. It has been 17 years now, and I am still not
sure I have completely accepted it. But someday...someday I will
see her beautiful face again. Someday her smile will light my life,
and her arms will wrap around me once again. Someday I will see him,
and he will embrace me and her, and the three of us will never again
part," Lune finished sadly but with hope.
The three of them sat silently around Lune for the remainder
of their time together. As Serenity and Wesley and Miriam walked back
to the palace as they all always did together, cherishing every last
moment together, Serenity asked, "Do you really think the pain never
goes away? What if something like that happens to you and me Wesley?"
"It will not," Wesley said with assurance.
"That is right. Have some faith," Miriam said reassuringly.
"Why does she have to have that pain then? Why can we not
help take it away?"
"I am sure we help Serenity, but pain like that? No I do not
think it can ever fully go away sadly," Miriam said softly.
Serenity hugged Wesley, and Wesley smiled and hugged her back.
"You do not have to hug me Serenity. I understand your fears."
"I know and that is why I am able to hug you," Serenity said,
content in his warm, safe arms.
That next day Serenity approached her parents about what had
happened with Raymond as Lune had requested she do. "Mother, father,"
she said, cautiously entering their bedchamber.
"What is it Serenity?" her mother asked in exasperation. Her
maid was putting on her makeup at the vanity, and her father was
reading some papers on a chair across from her mother and to the left.
King Stephen looked up from his papers. "What happened to your
face?"
She began hesitantly. "It...it was Raymond."
"What about him?" Selenity asked.
"He...he slapped me, and he made me kiss him in the garden. He
pushed me on the ground and against a wall. Oh mother it was horrible."
"No, a little more powder on the left," her mother instructed
the maid. "It looks like the right side is brighter to me." She looked
at Serenity and sighed. "Why would he do that Serenity? Really you
should not say such awful things about your fiancé."
Serenity gasped.
"It does not look that bad. It will heal in a few days. He has
a right to kiss you as your future husband. I bet you were not obeying
him," her father said harshly.
"Well...I did not want to kiss him."
"You are obligated to dear," her mother said.
"But...but he hurt me," Serenity said.
"Stop whining. It could have been worse," her father said and
ordered her out of the room. She left, a weight in her heart. *They
truly do not care for me.*
That night the nightmares plagued her. She kept waking up
sweating from the nightmares of the assault. She could feel his body
against hers. She could taste his tongue in her mouth. She could smell
his cologne all around her. She jumped out of bed, pacing around the
room all night, too anxious to fall asleep. This continued throughout
the next couple of weeks.
The date was August 8, and it was the last study session for
the four of them at Lune's cottage. The four of them sat silently
reading the end of their books. Serenity felt prepared. So, she spoke
to Wesley. "Wesley, do you feel prepared?"
Wesley looked up from his book after a few moments. "Yes
darling. I do."
"Me too...or at least as prepared as I can be. When do you
think we should leave?"
"I suppose as soon as possible. I want to take you to meet my
parents tonight. My father supports us, but my mother still has such
strong doubts. If you could just talk with them, I think that it might
help." Serenity nodded and Wesley continued. "So perhaps we had best
wait another week?"
Serenity nodded. "That sounds good to me." Serenity noticed
that Miriam had not spoken most of this entire time which was
incredibly unusual for her. Serenity sensed her sorrow and scooted
next to her. "Dear Miriam, my soul sister whom I will miss so very
much."
Tears seeped out of Miriam's eyes. "Oh how I wish you did not
have to go dear Serenity. How I wish I could go with you."
Serenity sobbed and hugged Miriam close. "Stay with me for
awhile, just you and me later this week all right?"
Miriam nodded sadly. "You will say goodbye to me the day you
leave right?"
"Oh I plan for you and Lune to be right there with me saying
goodbye as well."
"Did I tell you about Darla?" Miriam asked.
"No, how is she doing? You found her?"
"She is back on Earth. Her family went home awhile ago. I
had never realized it. That is why we could not find her. So I
guess you will not get to tell her of your plan after all."
Serenity sighed sadly. "I miss her so much and wish she
could be a part of this, but at least now we know she was not
avoiding us or hurt or anything. I wish her parents had given her
enough notice to at least say goodbye to us."
"Me too, but they left suddenly," Miriam said sadly.
"Everyone is leaving me."
"Oh Miriam, do not forget that you can spend more time with
Prince Michael now," Serenity said in a bit of a teasing voice.
Miriam nodded. "That is true, and we will find a way to keep
in contact. I will think about how to do that this week."
"I will as well," Serenity said.
"I could begin teaching you later this week how to contact
one another through magical esp.-communication in your minds," Lune
offered.
"Like telepathy?" Miriam asked.
"Yes, exactly," Lune said.
"That would be wonderful," Serenity said, and Miriam agreed
whole heartedly.
After hugging Miriam and Lune close, Serenity walked with
Wesley to his parents' hut.
"I hope that they do not hate me now," Serenity said sadly.
"They do not. My mom is just very concerned. So is my
father, but he is less suspicious and more supportive thankfully."
Serenity nodded. "Of course I understand their concern."
As they approached the door, Fran and Tim were coming
through the door of their hut. Serenity stayed back as Wesley went
up to hug them each. Tim walked toward Serenity. "Well hello. What
happened to your face Serenity?"
Serenity looked down at the ground. "I, um...it was just
nothing."
"Can I tell them?" Wesley asked politely.
"All right," Serenity agreed reluctantly.
"This jerk she was dating hit her and made her kiss him,"
Wesley said.
Fran's face, which had been hardened, softened with sympathy,
and Tim looked at her in concern. "It is swollen. Did no one treat it
after it happened?"
"No, I am sorry" Serenity said quietly.
"Nothing to be sorry for at all," Tim said in concern. "The
swelling should go down soon. You really should have had a cold cloth
at least put on it for a few hours. What about your parents?"
Wesley shook his head, and Tim nodded in understanding.
"I am sorry," Tim simply finished.
Fran came forward. "Why can you two not get married without
the permission of those parents of yours? I am sorry that they do
not treat you right. You know I did not understand how a princess
could want to be with a town boy, but I see that you are special,
unique. I want my son here, can you not understand?"
"Oh Fran," Serenity looked up in sadness. "I want him to be
here with you too. I am so sorry. My parents have full authority. I
do not know what else to do...I...I love your son."
Fran nodded. "That is good."
"You have my full support," Tim said.
"Thank you," Serenity said gratefully. "It means so much to
me."
Fran sighed. "I would rather try to find a way to stay here,
but I see that you two have made the decision anyway, and I cannot
change your minds. I am not against your union, and I want you in my
family Samantha, or Serenity I mean. So, I too support you."
Serenity smiled. "Oh Fran, thank you from the bottom of my
heart. I wanted your support so much. It truly means so much to me."
Fran smiled back as tears slipped out of her eyes. "Let me
have the next few days with my son please. Let me have those last
moments to enjoy at least."
Tears came to Serenity's eyes. "Of course," she said.
"You are part of this family now Serenity. We love you as
one of our own," Tim promised.
Tears ran down Serenity's cheeks. "That is more than I could
have ever wished for in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart. You two are wonderful people I would be honored to call my
parents."
"As we would be honored to call you our daughter," Fran
said.
Serenity gave a hug to each of them and left Wesley with
his family.
That next evening Queen Selenity called Serenity into her
room. "Serenity, I need to speak to you about August 10."
"Tomorrow?" Serenity asked.
"That is tomorrow? You are right. I did not think about that.
Anyway, tomorrow the Mars royal family is coming to take you to stay
with their family for a month. It will give you enough time to
really get to know Raymond and his family and for all of them to get
to know you. "Serenity gulped. *But we are not leaving for Earth for
another week. What do I do? I need to stall it at least if not
cancel it.*
"Please mother. You know how frightened I am of Raymond. I
do not want to go please."
Selenity sighed and shook her head. "Serenity, if your
father heard you right now."
*Oh yeah mother, you always have to bring him into this,*
Serenity thought. "Please mother. I am scared of him."
"Serenity I think you are blowing this out of proportion.
You will be fine."
"At least give me more time to prepare please. You are
telling me the day before."
"Serenity I am doing the best I can. You are going tomorrow
all right? Find a way to deal with it please. Now I have to go get
ready for dinner with your father. He was working late. I am sure
he is exhausted. I will say goodbye to you tomorrow."
Serenity nodded. *Goodbye then mother,* she said silently to
herself.
That night Serenity began the plan with Wesley early, simply
to be safe. She snuck into the kitchen late at night and picked up a
knife. She used that knife to swiftly cut her hair to be mid-way
between her chin and shoulders. It took a few swift strokes, leaving
her hair chopped off haphazardly and unevenly in a few spots. Early
that morning, she ran to Wesley's hut and knocked on their door
frantically. She wanted to bang on the door, but she did not want
to disturb all the huts in the area. Tim came to the door.
"Serenity," he said in concern.
"Please I need Wesley. It is urgent," she requested. Tim
nodded and Fran came to the door as Tim was waking Wesley up.
"What is going on?" Fran asked.
"Yes, what is wrong Serenity? Your hair...?" Wesley asked,
coming to the door.
Serenity tried to catch her breath. "It is my parents. They
have decided to send me on a month long trip to Raymond's home on
Mars, and I am supposed to leave tomorrow."
"What? You cannot do that," Wesley said in concern.
"I know. Please, what do we do?" Serenity asked
frantically.
"You are going to have to leave now," Fran said simply.
"But we have not prepared our contact with Lune or Miriam,
and you have not spent time with your son."
Fran nodded. "I got my time last night. You have to go."
"She is right Serenity. It is now or never," Tim said.
Wesley nodded.
"Let us go to Lune," Serenity said. "Please, maybe she
will have an idea."
Wesley nodded again. "Let us go then; let us hurry," he
said, pulling on some warmer clothes over his looser shirt and
long shorts. When they arrived at Lune's cottage though, her answer
was the same. "You must leave now."
"How will we contact you and Miriam?" Serenity asked,
jotting down a note for her soul sister in a frenzy. It said:
Dear Soul Sister,
We had to leave suddenly. I am so sorry. You are in my heart
and spirit always. Lune will explain.
Your dearest friend always,
Serenity
Lune shook her head. "No time to learn unfortunately." She
was quiet for a few moments and said. "I saw Christine going to your
room in a vision a few moments before you arrived," she said.
"What does that mean?" Serenity asked.
"It means she is about to enter your room, discover you are
missing, and alert the palace. You have to leave now, or you will
never be able to get away."
Serenity looked at Wesley in worry and hugged Lune as he
grabbed her hand, and they ran, waving goodbye to Lune.
"Wait," Lune said. They stopped. "I have to come with you.
I will put the setting on the transport pad back where it was
originally when we get there, but you two need to change the setting
to anywhere else on Earth. So they cannot find you that way."
"You are right. Thank you," Serenity said thankfully as Lune
ran with them.
As they were running, Serenity knew she was giving up this
life, but she felt she could finally be free. She was worried about
how to contact Miriam and Lune, but she knew she could not stop now.
Once her parents discovered her missing, she would never be able to
leave the palace again. It was now or never, and she was sure Miriam
would understand.
Everything was going by in a blur as she used her power to
propel them to the transport pods faster. "What about the language
pod?" Wesley asked when they got there. "It is next door. There might
be cleaners, but it does not matter. Just get in."
Wesley and she arrived to find a cleaner on the third pod.
He ran into the first pod, and she activated it. The cleaner ran
toward her. "What are you doing Princess Serenity?" he asked.
"It is one of the guards," she said simply.
"It is so early though, and why do you have that cloak on?"
"Do not concern yourself with these matters. Simply return
to your cleaning."
"They will know we took a transport pod now when he tells
them we used the language pods," Serenity told Wesley when he was
finished. "At least they will not know which planet we chose though.
We should be all right." The two entered a transport pod to Earth.
"Goodbye children," Lune said as she waved sadly, and
Serenity saw the room in the Moon Palace fade away.
To Be Continued...
12.
Chapter Seven, Escape:
It was at the river that Serenity met Wesley and Miriam
two mornings later. Once again, Darla did not show up. "Oh I was
hoping you could meet Princess Darla this time. She is so kind,"
Miriam was saying as the distraught Princess Serenity staggered
toward them, still blinded by her tears.
"Serenity," they both said and came up to her. Each one
holding her up by each arm. Wesley was on the left, and Miriam was
on the right.
"It is all right Serenity. We are right here," Miriam
reassured her.
As they sat with their feet dangling in the river, Wesley
asked the question. "What is wrong darling?" The fingers on his
hands were intertwined with hers.
She looked sadly, resigned, into his eyes. "I am so sorry
for what I have to say Wesley. Please understand this is not in my
control. There is nothing I can do.
Miriam and Wesley looked at one another in concern then
turned back to Serenity. Wesley squeezed her hands reassuringly.
"I am right here. Whatever is wrong we will work through it. Tell
me what happened."
"Do you not understand dear Wesley? There is no working
through it," Serenity said, between the sobs still wracking her
entire body.
"Here," he said pulling her into his embrace comfortingly.
"It is all right. Tell me Serenity. Tell me please."
"I...I am to...to...be married," she blurted out and broke
down in tears with her face buried in his shoulder.
"Oh Serenity," he said quietly. "I am so sorry."
Miriam stood up. "Have you given up? That easily?" her
words came out passionately. "You do not dare give up Serenity. Do
not dare let them win this. We are going to find a way through
this."
"You think we can?" Wesley asked.
"Of course. We have to," Miriam added.
Wesley nodded. "I do not know if we can, but we must have
faith. Besides we have to at least try. Do you not agree
Serenity?"
"Try...you mean you think there is still a chance?"
"I am sure of it," Miriam said.
"I believe in it too," Wesley said.
"I do not have the faith you two do."
"That is all right Serenity. Just promise you will try with
me please. I do not want to lose you," Wesley pleaded.
"Of course, of course I will try nearly anything."
"Nearly?" Miriam asked. "You have to be willing to go all
out on this Serenity. That means anything."
"Well, not anything. I will not kill for example."
"Oh all right anything within moral grounds," Miriam said,
sighing at Serenity's literal interpretation.
Serenity smiled a bit, her tears stopping. She looked at
the flowing river, feeling a small spark of hope inside her. *I
truly hope we can find a way.* "You two need to understand this is
a tradition. There is No way my parents will budge on it. So
convincing them is absolutely out of the question."
"What happens if we get married first?" Wesley asked.
"You would do that? I doubt we could here. I am known much
too well in the Moon Kingdom and really throughout the solar system
as well as other parts of the galaxy. If I change my name for the
ceremony, it will not be me who legally married you. If by some
miracle someone in this solar system will marry us despite kingdom
rules or without being aware of them, I am almost certain my
parents could and would undo the marriage with their authority."
Wesley nodded sadly. "We are in trouble then."
The three sat silently for a few minutes before Miriam
finally looked at Serenity with conviction in her eyes. "Unless
they could not find you," she said.
"What do you mean?" Serenity asked.
"I mean you get a new identity and live on another planet
and marry Wesley."
Wesley and Serenity looked at each other. "What if they
find us?" Serenity asked.
"Well we will have to plan it so carefully that they do
not," Miriam said.
Wesley's eyes filled with hope. Serenity's were still
quite clouded with doubt. "We could still mess up."
"That is the risk you take for love Serenity," Miriam
said passionately.
"Maybe you do...I am not so sure."
"Do not pressure her please Miriam," Wesley requested.
"She has to make this decision on her own."
Serenity looked at him appreciatively. "Leave our home.
Leave our families. Leave our friends? How can we do that?"
"I can and will," Wesley said with such conviction it
filled Serenity's heart with warmth.
"It is not that easy for me," Serenity said.
"It is not at all easy for me Serenity. This will be the
hardest thing I have ever done, but I know in my heart it is worth
it and because it is the only way to be together I will do it,"
Wesley said.
"I...I just do not know. Of course I want to be with you
more than anything in the world, but I do not know that I have the
courage to be away from all I have known, to defy my parents that
openly, and most of all to leave my dearest friends Miriam and
Darla."
"You know I understand Serenity. Darla will too," Miriam
said.
"The other day though...she did not seem to understand at
all," Serenity said honestly.
"I know. She does not quite understand the depth of your
love for him or our disregard for conventions, but she cares for us
and tries to understand. She supports us no matter what in the end,"
Miriam said.
"Of course you are right," Serenity admitted. "I do not
want to leave you two though. What will I do without any friends?"
Miriam looked at Wesley. "You will have him. He is your best
friend and soul mate all rolled into one." She winked at Serenity.
"We will keep in contact somehow, and you will be able to make new
friends there again Serenity."
"Give me tonight," Serenity requested.
"Of course. Take your time Serenity," Wesley said, his love
shining through his eyes.
They all walked to the palace gates together this time. Each
one sensing how fragile his or her time with one another was now.
"See you tomorrow Serenity," Miriam said, waving and making
the V sign.
Serenity waved. "Yes tomorrow soul sister."
"Goodbye dearest."
"Goodbye dearest," Serenity said, kissing him on the cheek.
They embraced one another for a minute before she returned to her
bedchamber. Serenity did not sleep that night; the thoughts were
turning around in her head. Confusion and doubt clouded her thoughts
from becoming coherent. She fell asleep for a few minutes a few
times during the night, only to be awakened from terrifying
nightmares. Her fears of losing him, Miriam, Lune, and her life all
rolled into the nightmares.
That morning, as Christine was getting her ready for her day
of studying with her guards Callie, Maddie, Lily, and Trina, she
thought of why she wanted to stay here. *I know I am comfortable with
my life here. Comfortable is equated with good in my mind, but this
is my chance to escape the princess life I so despise and be a
regular citizen of some other planet. No, it will not be comfortable,
but it will be right,* she thought. *The right thing is often the
hardest,* she realized. *I do not want to defy my parents. I do not
want to hurt them or disrespect them, but they have never respected
me. So, although it pains me greatly, I may have to make the decision
best for myself as Lune has taught me.*
She truly did not like that thought, but she also believed in
it more and more each day. *Miriam and Darla and Lune will be the
hardest parts about leaving. They are all such important parts of my
life. It will hurt me deeply to leave them, but they will
understand.* She looked in her heart and felt that she needed to go
be with Wesley. *This time I will listen to Lune's advice and follow
my heart. I will go with my love to another planet,* and she sighed
in relief having come to her decision. Of course, doubts plagued her
all day, but every time she looked inside her heart the answer was
the same. Her heart did not doubt it. Only her mind, conditioned to
think in this way by her parents, doubted it at times. *At least I
am now aware of that,* Serenity thought, struggling through the day
to make it to that night and tell Wesley and Miriam of her decision.
That early morning she was there before either of them
showed up, after having another restless night. She sat down, her
feet danglingin the cool river, when she saw Wesley approaching. She
ran up and hugged him. "Serenity?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," she said. "I will go with you. Anywhere, I will go
with you," she promised.
A smile lit up his face, and he hugged her tightly. "I am so
glad. So glad," he said, tears streaming from both of their eyes.
Miriam walked up and began skipping toward them, giggling
when she saw how happy they were. Her face was also lit up with a
smile. "You agreed?" she asked Serenity happily.
"Yes," Wesley and Serenity said in unison.
The three of them embraced in one huge, comforting group
hug. "I love you two," Miriam said happily.
"I love you two too," Serenity said, feeling content.
"I love you both so much," Wesley said happily too.
They sat down on the edge of the river. "Where should we
go?" Wesley finally broke the silence by asking.
"I thought about that," Serenity admitted. "There is this
planet that I have always liked looking at and been drawn to besides
Miriam's home planet of Venus of course. I would like to go to Venus
the most of course, but I am sure my parents would search there
first."
"I am sure of that too," Miriam added.
Wesley nodded.
"Is there somewhere you want to go?" Serenity asked.
"No. I really do not care so long as I am with you."
"I do not really care either," Serenity said.
"Tell me about this planet you are drawn to."
"It is earth, and then we could have Darla's support."
"Wonderful," Miriam said.
"Yes, Earth, that is where we will go dearest Serenity,"
Wesley said.
Serenity smiled some. "We really need to get in contact with
her and find out why she has not come to the last few meetings. I am
worried about her."
"I am too," Miriam admitted.
"I hope she is all right," Wesley said. "Now I wonder how we
will get there, and how we will learn the language."
"We have portals in the Moon Kingdom to other planets. As
long as we pick a morning when they are not being cleaned we can
easily transport to Earth without anyone knowing. I was born with the
inherent ability to speak and understand languages throughout the
galaxy, and I have already learned the language of the planet Titanium
and have begun my studies of the language of the planet Litrate. Guards
do not have this inherent ability to speak the languages of the galaxy,
but it is essential that they know these languages so our palace also
has crystal machines that put the information in a guard's brain
automatically. I am sure it will work on anyone, even though only
guards are allowed to use it because of protocol. You can use one of
those. I will have to find out when those language pods are not being
cleaned. I am sure it is different days than the days the transport
pods are not being cleaned."
Wesley nodded. "I guess we are all right then."
"Not exactly," Serenity admitted. "I did learn from a visit
with Lune to Mars that knowing the language does not mean one knows the
culture. I have not yet learned about Earth in my studies. So, we both
need to learn about the culture. We need to study every rule and nuance
and social custom, so that we can fit in."
"You are right," Wesley said.
"You got to go to Mars? I am so jealous," Miriam said, only
half joking.
Serenity laughed, and Miriam laughed with her.
"We can do this Wesley," Serenity said reassuringly when she
noticed he did not join in the laughter.
"I know, but I hate the thought of separating you from her and
your other friends Lune and Darla. Also, I will miss my parents so very
much."
"Oh Wesley. I know you will. Do you think we could tell your
parents without fear of them telling my parents or anyone else? Then
they would know, and that would make it easier would it not?"
"Oh yes. I would like that very much. I am sure my father would
not tell. I am not sure about my mother. Let me try to tell my father,
and if he is receptive, he will help me tell my mother. I will just
tell them that we are going. I will not tell them where. That way no
matter what they cannot give away where we have gone. I am sure they
would not go tell right away, so we would still have time to get away."
Serenity nodded. "After we finish studying, you can tell them.
I think I better tell Lune about this. I do not think she would tell
do you?"
"I do not think so," Wesley said.
"I am sure she would not," Miriam said with assurance.
They all agreed to meet two mornings from this one to meet with
Lune, and Serenity and Miriam would each bring six books to read on the
culture of Earth.
Two mornings later they did meet at Lune's cottage and entered
it because she had given them permission to simply enter at any time.
They found her on the back porch again. "Lune!" Miriam said in a loud,
excited voice.
Lune got up from her chair and looked at the three of them.
"Hello Miriam, Serenity, and Wesley. How are the three of you?"
"I am well," Serenity said.
"I am well too," Wesley said.
"We are all well," Miriam added.
"What brings you here? More magical time?" Lune asked them.
Miriam stepped forward. "Serenity has something to tell you."
Lune nodded and looked at Serenity. "All right, what is it
dear?"
"Why me?" Serenity asked.
"Would you like me to tell her dearest?" Wesley asked.
"It is all right. I do not mind," Serenity said. "Wesley and I
have made a decision." Her eyes and body tightened with conviction.
"I know you may not like what I have to say, but I am certain of my
decision and determined to follow through with it."
"Sit down Serenity," Lune said. "Calm down. You need not expect
me to be against you. I will not deter you from your choice and will
only give you advice if you want it."
Serenity sat down and allowed her body to unwind. She took a
deep breath as Miriam and Wesley also sat down. The four of them were
sitting in a circle with Miriam and Serenity next to Lune and Wesley
across from Lune. "Wesley and I are going to the planet Earth to be
married. We will have studied their culture and then assume new
identities when we go," Serenity said in determination.
Lune smiled. "I think this is the right decision. I hope you
realize that all will not go perfectly with this decision though. You
do not realize I think how hard it will be to get there, and once you
get there it will only get harder, not easier."
"We understand, but we have no choice. Otherwise I will be
married to Raymond. I have made the choice, and I will follow through
with it. You can support me or..."
"I support you," Lune interrupted. "Now if only you could learn
to stand up to your parents like this, but I am glad you are learning
to rebel against them and to stand up to me. It gives me pride to know
that I have taught you the power inside yourself. I think the time on
Earth will be good for you and teach you how to be more confident and
separate from your parents' influence."
Serenity looked at Wesley, and he nodded. "No...Lune, I do not
think you understand. We are not going for some time. We are going for
the rest of our lives."
Lune closed her eyes for a few moments and moved ever so
slightly. "You are giving up your throne?"
"Well, essentially, yes, but that is not the important point.
The more important fact is that I may not ever see you or Miriam or
Darla again, and I...I will miss you all so much."
Lune smiled in sorrow. "Serenity dear I will miss you too. This
decision is obviously important to you. Please know I am with you
there in spirit always."
"Let us get looking through these books and studying the
culture," Wesley said.
A couple of weeks later Serenity was on a date with Raymond at
the order of her parents. She was trying to stay as far away from him as
possible, but when she sat across from him at the restaurant table, he
just moved his chair next to hers. Raymond leaned in for a kiss.
Serenity turned her head. "No thank you Raymond. We have not been
acquainted long," *and I cannot stand you,* she added in her mind.
Raymond growled but did not pursue the matter further in the restaurant.
Once they were out walking though and got far enough in the gardens
to be out of others' sight, he grabbed her by the hair and threw her on
the ground. "No one tells me no," he growled. He grabbed her by the arm
and pulled her up roughly, grabbing her shoulders, and slamming her into
a garden wall. He then kissed her on the mouth. She struggled weakly
behind his tight grasp. His tongue going deeply into her mouth, she
struggled to breath and move. Finally, he let her go and slapped her
hard in the face. "Do not ever defy me again princess," he said angrily.
"I will not," she promised quietly, shaking with fear.
He nodded in approval and slipped his arm around hers. "Now,
where to princess?"
When she did not answer, he smiled and said. "I guess we will
go where I want, even better. I think I would like to go to the palace.
To your room perhaps?" Everything inside her stopped, paralyzed. His
eyes shone with lust. Fear and disgust filled Serenity. *Try not to
show your fear.* She smiled weakly and did not respond, not wanting
to anger him again. When they returned to the palace, after Serenity
had managed to distract him temporarily by going to the fountain first,
Serenity was thankful for his parents being there to request his
presence back at the Moon Palace hotel.
That night it was hard to sleep. Flashbacks of his hands on
her and his lips on her lips filled her mind with horror and
restlessness. The soreness and pain of her body and face also made it
difficult to get any sleep.
That night she anxiously ran to Lune's cottage to meet with
Miriam and Wesley and continue the studying they were halfway done with.
When she arrived, Lune was out on the back porch alone. She approached
her cautiously and sat down on a chair beside her without making any
noise. She had learned long ago from her parents how to not make any
noise. She did not want to draw any attention to herself; she knew that
was dangerous. The assault by Raymond reinforced that need to be hidden
away.
Lune sensed her anyway though and turned toward her slowly.
"Serenity," she said quietly, sorrow filled her voice. "Tell me what
happened. You are scared again."
"Yes," Serenity said quietly. She looked down in shame.
"Do not be ashamed Serenity. Tell me what happened."
Serenity began to have trouble breathing.
Wesley approached. "Serenity," he said, coming toward her
immediately. "Your face is bruised, and you are shaking, barely
breathing." He held her in his arms, but she recoiled. Miriam came in
as Wesley backed away. "What happened Serenity?"
"What happened?" Miriam asked in concern, running toward
Serenity.
"She will not let me touch her," Wesley said in concern.
"Your face Serenity. Can I touch you?" Miriam asked.
Serenity nodded.
Miriam embraced her. "It is all right. You are safe now. It is
all right," she repeated softly several times, and Serenity began to
cry. "He assaulted me," she began.
"Who?" Wesley asked.
"Oh Serenity," Miriam held her close.
Lune asked them both to be quiet. "Tell us what happened
Serenity. There is no need to be ashamed. It is his fault. He did this
to you; you are not to blame I promise."
"Breathe Serenity," Miriam said. "Take slow, deep breaths."
Serenity concentrated on Miriam's safe touch and on taking
slow, deep breaths. Trying to calm the fear and muddle inside her
stomach.
"He...he...we were just eating, and oh it is all my fault," she
said quietly.
"Oh no Serenity. That jerk. It was Raymond was it not?"
"Yes...yes...my parents made me go on a date with him. I tried
to sit away from him, and I would not accept his kiss at the
restaurant, and so then...then...we...we...went walking...in...in...
the...the..."
"Serenity, I am right here. It is all right," Wesley reassured
her as Miriam hugged her close and squeezed her hand.
"He pushed me on the ground in the garden then pulled me up,
pushed me against the wall, and forced me to kiss him. I did not want
to. I really did not."
"Oh Serenity we know you did not want to," Miriam said softly.
"It is all right now. We are right here."
"Serenity, I do not know how to make things better for you. I
wish so badly I could take this away for you. I am so sorry that I
cannot, but please know that I am here for you. We all are," Wesley
reassured her.
Serenity nodded. "I am so sorry for flinching when you touched
me. I just felt so sick at the thought of being touched by a man."
"It is all right. I understand Serenity. Take your time. I am
here for you through this," Wesley promised.
Serenity smiled weakly. "Thank you."
"Serenity darling, what happened to your face though?" Wesley
asked gently.
"He...he slapped me too."
Wesley shook his head. "It is all right now; you are not with
him, and you will not ever have to be around that rotten jerk again."
"Are you sure?" Serenity asked.
"Have you told your parents yet Serenity?" Lune asked.
"No," Serenity admitted. "I was too ashamed. I figured they
would think I led him on."
"It is hard to tell what their reaction will be, but I would be
pleasantly surprised if they were very supportive of you through this.
Hopefully they will at least stop the engagement," Lune said.
Wesley and Serenity looked at each other. "Should we call off
the trip out then?" Serenity asked Lune.
"No," Lune said. "I would wait. As I said, it would surprise me
if they supported you through this. Even if they call off the
engagement they will just engage you to someone else whom you do not
love."
"But if they are willing to do that for me, I feel like I
should not disrespect them," Serenity said.
"Really Serenity, they hurt you. This one act of kindness would
not make up for that or undo that. Let us just wait until we find out
their reaction," Lune said.
"All right," Serenity nodded, still clinging to Miriam's soft,
safe touch. Miriam sat next to Serenity and held her hand, patting it
reassuringly.
"Lune, do you think we will make it in this other world?"
Serenity asked.
"I do Serenity."
"Do you believe we will still be able to see you and Miriam
and Darla...that it will all work out?" Serenity questioned.
"I do not know about that Serenity. All I know is that in the
end it will all work out. Mind you, the end is not the end of your
lives."
"Well, I already know about that belief Lune, but will we be
able to make it on our own and live happily on the Earth?"
"I cannot answer that question Serenity. I believe you can
make it, and I think that you probably will. I doubt you will be
always happy. I am sure you will have hardships and happiness
together. How long it will last I do not know."
"You think our love may not last?" Serenity asked fearfully.
"Ah, no. I did not say that. Your love will last always
Serenity. Whether you will be together always, I do not know. In
heart and soul you will be though, of that I am sure. Just as you
and Miriam are linked by soul and heart always."
Serenity nodded. "I understand, but I do not want to ever
lose him."
"Serenity dear, I wish I could say that would not happen,
but unfortunately life does not always work out the way we wish and
hope."
"Lune, you have never told us about your life. Tell us of
where you come from and what has happened to you please," Miriam
requested.
Lune nodded. "I thought that this day would come. Seeing as
in a couple more weeks we will all be separated again. You two on the
Earth, Miriam on Venus, and I still here on the Moon, I think it is
time I tell you my story." Lune sighed. "This is a hard truth for me to
tell. These are hard memories for me to look back upon, so bear with me
please." The three gathered nearer, and Miriam and Serenity placed their
hands upon each of her knees to reassure her. Lune smiled. "I am lucky
to have you all in my life. I knew this day of separation would come as
you grew and matured. I am sorry to see it come though. I will miss you
all terribly." Tears came to everyone's eyes.
"I was the oldest sister of two. A princess of the planet
Titanium," Lune began, her eyes clouding over with the memories of a
time not so long ago, yet so very long ago. My parents were very strict
and all about following the rules, but my nature was to rebel against
that. I did not like following all these traditions and conventional
ways of doing and looking at things. Miriam, Serenity, and Wesley all
smiled, each seeing a bit of themselves in her. My younger sister was
quite the opposite. She was very obedient. I always thought I had more
fun as a child, so I felt badly for her. However, growing older, I know
that there was much each of us missed out on and gained from our unique
perspectives. I admire some traits she had that I did not have, such as
patience and perseverance. I have gained those traits with time and
sadness and loss unfortunately. The point is that although I was
supposed to get the throne because of being the oldest, my youngest
sister Tara was always favored because of her obedience and compliance
and conformity. I was more adventurous, and at the age of 16, when I
met a witch traveling through the city just outside the palace grounds,
I began training with this witch named Diana and learned so much about
magic. Within two years, I was very powerful and good with my magic
though no one knew I could do any magic except for my family who wanted
to keep it secret because it did not conform with protocol. Even they
did not realize the extent or amount of my powers at all. It was at the
age of 18 that I met William. He was considered a lowly servant of
Princess Selenity, your mother Princess Serenity. This was also the
time of the debate when your mother met your father. I witnessed that,
but I noticed William much more. I discovered from my sister that he was
a lowly servant due to having and voicing such eccentric thoughts. He
was a hard worker though, so he really could have been a higher servant
if he had not voiced such so called eccentric thoughts. We fell in love
at first sight and spent the next few weeks of that celebration together
secretly. I showed him my powers, and we realized we could never be
together, similar to you and Wesley. That was when I decided to go with
William back to the Moon Kingdom to be married. We did not have to
worry about getting different identities because I knew once we were
married they would only try to get me back for a short time, and I
could use my magic to ward them off. I was quite powerful by now. I
knew it would not be long before they just handed the throne over to
my sister as I would request them to do in a note anyway. We lived in
this hut on the edge of the kingdom, mostly because we wanted our
privacy, but also because upon our marriage the King of the Moon at
this time told us we could only stay on this planet if we hid away. We
were quite content and in two years, just before I turned 20, I had our
child. We named her Luna. When Luna was three years old, and I was 23
years old, I sensed a bad presence approaching. Now I wanted to think
things through, but William, who always had a much stronger faith than
I, was determined to go find and destroy this bad force. I did
convince him to go with me to warn the King of the Moon, but he warned
us if we came out from our boundaries again we would be banished from
the Moon Kingdom. William convinced me with his strong faith to not
listen to my doubts and go try to stop Queen Beryl ourselves. You see,
we had discovered the presence I was sensing was Metalia and Queen
Beryl through research. Metalia though had not been awakened luckily,
but Queen Beryl's goal was to awaken her by attacking the Moon Kingdom
and using our energy to feed Metalia and thus awaken Metalia. When we
went there, we were able to stop Queen Beryl and trap her, but," Lune
sighed, "William was killed." She stopped her account here for a few
minutes as the others hugged her and tried to comfort her. "Do not
worry," she said. "Years of sorrow have plagued me from this, but I
have survived. The worst is yet to come. The pain will never truly go
away, but I will see them again someday. Of that I am sure. I believe."
"See who? What happened?" Serenity asked.
"Well, when I returned to the hut, my daughter Luna was gone
and a note was there signed by Jadeite, a minion of Queen Beryl. He
had
killed my daughter. Not a day goes by without them in my thoughts,
heart, and soul. They were both my life, and in one day they were
both taken away from me," Lune sobbed.
They all hugged her again.
"I looked everywhere for her of course," Lune said. "Hoping
it was not true, not wanting to believe it. I am not sure when I
finally accepted it. It has been 17 years now, and I am still not
sure I have completely accepted it. But someday...someday I will
see her beautiful face again. Someday her smile will light my life,
and her arms will wrap around me once again. Someday I will see him,
and he will embrace me and her, and the three of us will never again
part," Lune finished sadly but with hope.
The three of them sat silently around Lune for the remainder
of their time together. As Serenity and Wesley and Miriam walked back
to the palace as they all always did together, cherishing every last
moment together, Serenity asked, "Do you really think the pain never
goes away? What if something like that happens to you and me Wesley?"
"It will not," Wesley said with assurance.
"That is right. Have some faith," Miriam said reassuringly.
"Why does she have to have that pain then? Why can we not
help take it away?"
"I am sure we help Serenity, but pain like that? No I do not
think it can ever fully go away sadly," Miriam said softly.
Serenity hugged Wesley, and Wesley smiled and hugged her back.
"You do not have to hug me Serenity. I understand your fears."
"I know and that is why I am able to hug you," Serenity said,
content in his warm, safe arms.
That next day Serenity approached her parents about what had
happened with Raymond as Lune had requested she do. "Mother, father,"
she said, cautiously entering their bedchamber.
"What is it Serenity?" her mother asked in exasperation. Her
maid was putting on her makeup at the vanity, and her father was
reading some papers on a chair across from her mother and to the left.
King Stephen looked up from his papers. "What happened to your
face?"
She began hesitantly. "It...it was Raymond."
"What about him?" Selenity asked.
"He...he slapped me, and he made me kiss him in the garden. He
pushed me on the ground and against a wall. Oh mother it was horrible."
"No, a little more powder on the left," her mother instructed
the maid. "It looks like the right side is brighter to me." She looked
at Serenity and sighed. "Why would he do that Serenity? Really you
should not say such awful things about your fiancé."
Serenity gasped.
"It does not look that bad. It will heal in a few days. He has
a right to kiss you as your future husband. I bet you were not obeying
him," her father said harshly.
"Well...I did not want to kiss him."
"You are obligated to dear," her mother said.
"But...but he hurt me," Serenity said.
"Stop whining. It could have been worse," her father said and
ordered her out of the room. She left, a weight in her heart. *They
truly do not care for me.*
That night the nightmares plagued her. She kept waking up
sweating from the nightmares of the assault. She could feel his body
against hers. She could taste his tongue in her mouth. She could smell
his cologne all around her. She jumped out of bed, pacing around the
room all night, too anxious to fall asleep. This continued throughout
the next couple of weeks.
The date was August 8, and it was the last study session for
the four of them at Lune's cottage. The four of them sat silently
reading the end of their books. Serenity felt prepared. So, she spoke
to Wesley. "Wesley, do you feel prepared?"
Wesley looked up from his book after a few moments. "Yes
darling. I do."
"Me too...or at least as prepared as I can be. When do you
think we should leave?"
"I suppose as soon as possible. I want to take you to meet my
parents tonight. My father supports us, but my mother still has such
strong doubts. If you could just talk with them, I think that it might
help." Serenity nodded and Wesley continued. "So perhaps we had best
wait another week?"
Serenity nodded. "That sounds good to me." Serenity noticed
that Miriam had not spoken most of this entire time which was
incredibly unusual for her. Serenity sensed her sorrow and scooted
next to her. "Dear Miriam, my soul sister whom I will miss so very
much."
Tears seeped out of Miriam's eyes. "Oh how I wish you did not
have to go dear Serenity. How I wish I could go with you."
Serenity sobbed and hugged Miriam close. "Stay with me for
awhile, just you and me later this week all right?"
Miriam nodded sadly. "You will say goodbye to me the day you
leave right?"
"Oh I plan for you and Lune to be right there with me saying
goodbye as well."
"Did I tell you about Darla?" Miriam asked.
"No, how is she doing? You found her?"
"She is back on Earth. Her family went home awhile ago. I
had never realized it. That is why we could not find her. So I
guess you will not get to tell her of your plan after all."
Serenity sighed sadly. "I miss her so much and wish she
could be a part of this, but at least now we know she was not
avoiding us or hurt or anything. I wish her parents had given her
enough notice to at least say goodbye to us."
"Me too, but they left suddenly," Miriam said sadly.
"Everyone is leaving me."
"Oh Miriam, do not forget that you can spend more time with
Prince Michael now," Serenity said in a bit of a teasing voice.
Miriam nodded. "That is true, and we will find a way to keep
in contact. I will think about how to do that this week."
"I will as well," Serenity said.
"I could begin teaching you later this week how to contact
one another through magical esp.-communication in your minds," Lune
offered.
"Like telepathy?" Miriam asked.
"Yes, exactly," Lune said.
"That would be wonderful," Serenity said, and Miriam agreed
whole heartedly.
After hugging Miriam and Lune close, Serenity walked with
Wesley to his parents' hut.
"I hope that they do not hate me now," Serenity said sadly.
"They do not. My mom is just very concerned. So is my
father, but he is less suspicious and more supportive thankfully."
Serenity nodded. "Of course I understand their concern."
As they approached the door, Fran and Tim were coming
through the door of their hut. Serenity stayed back as Wesley went
up to hug them each. Tim walked toward Serenity. "Well hello. What
happened to your face Serenity?"
Serenity looked down at the ground. "I, um...it was just
nothing."
"Can I tell them?" Wesley asked politely.
"All right," Serenity agreed reluctantly.
"This jerk she was dating hit her and made her kiss him,"
Wesley said.
Fran's face, which had been hardened, softened with sympathy,
and Tim looked at her in concern. "It is swollen. Did no one treat it
after it happened?"
"No, I am sorry" Serenity said quietly.
"Nothing to be sorry for at all," Tim said in concern. "The
swelling should go down soon. You really should have had a cold cloth
at least put on it for a few hours. What about your parents?"
Wesley shook his head, and Tim nodded in understanding.
"I am sorry," Tim simply finished.
Fran came forward. "Why can you two not get married without
the permission of those parents of yours? I am sorry that they do
not treat you right. You know I did not understand how a princess
could want to be with a town boy, but I see that you are special,
unique. I want my son here, can you not understand?"
"Oh Fran," Serenity looked up in sadness. "I want him to be
here with you too. I am so sorry. My parents have full authority. I
do not know what else to do...I...I love your son."
Fran nodded. "That is good."
"You have my full support," Tim said.
"Thank you," Serenity said gratefully. "It means so much to
me."
Fran sighed. "I would rather try to find a way to stay here,
but I see that you two have made the decision anyway, and I cannot
change your minds. I am not against your union, and I want you in my
family Samantha, or Serenity I mean. So, I too support you."
Serenity smiled. "Oh Fran, thank you from the bottom of my
heart. I wanted your support so much. It truly means so much to me."
Fran smiled back as tears slipped out of her eyes. "Let me
have the next few days with my son please. Let me have those last
moments to enjoy at least."
Tears came to Serenity's eyes. "Of course," she said.
"You are part of this family now Serenity. We love you as
one of our own," Tim promised.
Tears ran down Serenity's cheeks. "That is more than I could
have ever wished for in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart. You two are wonderful people I would be honored to call my
parents."
"As we would be honored to call you our daughter," Fran
said.
Serenity gave a hug to each of them and left Wesley with
his family.
That next evening Queen Selenity called Serenity into her
room. "Serenity, I need to speak to you about August 10."
"Tomorrow?" Serenity asked.
"That is tomorrow? You are right. I did not think about that.
Anyway, tomorrow the Mars royal family is coming to take you to stay
with their family for a month. It will give you enough time to
really get to know Raymond and his family and for all of them to get
to know you. "Serenity gulped. *But we are not leaving for Earth for
another week. What do I do? I need to stall it at least if not
cancel it.*
"Please mother. You know how frightened I am of Raymond. I
do not want to go please."
Selenity sighed and shook her head. "Serenity, if your
father heard you right now."
*Oh yeah mother, you always have to bring him into this,*
Serenity thought. "Please mother. I am scared of him."
"Serenity I think you are blowing this out of proportion.
You will be fine."
"At least give me more time to prepare please. You are
telling me the day before."
"Serenity I am doing the best I can. You are going tomorrow
all right? Find a way to deal with it please. Now I have to go get
ready for dinner with your father. He was working late. I am sure
he is exhausted. I will say goodbye to you tomorrow."
Serenity nodded. *Goodbye then mother,* she said silently to
herself.
That night Serenity began the plan with Wesley early, simply
to be safe. She snuck into the kitchen late at night and picked up a
knife. She used that knife to swiftly cut her hair to be mid-way
between her chin and shoulders. It took a few swift strokes, leaving
her hair chopped off haphazardly and unevenly in a few spots. Early
that morning, she ran to Wesley's hut and knocked on their door
frantically. She wanted to bang on the door, but she did not want
to disturb all the huts in the area. Tim came to the door.
"Serenity," he said in concern.
"Please I need Wesley. It is urgent," she requested. Tim
nodded and Fran came to the door as Tim was waking Wesley up.
"What is going on?" Fran asked.
"Yes, what is wrong Serenity? Your hair...?" Wesley asked,
coming to the door.
Serenity tried to catch her breath. "It is my parents. They
have decided to send me on a month long trip to Raymond's home on
Mars, and I am supposed to leave tomorrow."
"What? You cannot do that," Wesley said in concern.
"I know. Please, what do we do?" Serenity asked
frantically.
"You are going to have to leave now," Fran said simply.
"But we have not prepared our contact with Lune or Miriam,
and you have not spent time with your son."
Fran nodded. "I got my time last night. You have to go."
"She is right Serenity. It is now or never," Tim said.
Wesley nodded.
"Let us go to Lune," Serenity said. "Please, maybe she
will have an idea."
Wesley nodded again. "Let us go then; let us hurry," he
said, pulling on some warmer clothes over his looser shirt and
long shorts. When they arrived at Lune's cottage though, her answer
was the same. "You must leave now."
"How will we contact you and Miriam?" Serenity asked,
jotting down a note for her soul sister in a frenzy. It said:
Dear Soul Sister,
We had to leave suddenly. I am so sorry. You are in my heart
and spirit always. Lune will explain.
Your dearest friend always,
Serenity
Lune shook her head. "No time to learn unfortunately." She
was quiet for a few moments and said. "I saw Christine going to your
room in a vision a few moments before you arrived," she said.
"What does that mean?" Serenity asked.
"It means she is about to enter your room, discover you are
missing, and alert the palace. You have to leave now, or you will
never be able to get away."
Serenity looked at Wesley in worry and hugged Lune as he
grabbed her hand, and they ran, waving goodbye to Lune.
"Wait," Lune said. They stopped. "I have to come with you.
I will put the setting on the transport pad back where it was
originally when we get there, but you two need to change the setting
to anywhere else on Earth. So they cannot find you that way."
"You are right. Thank you," Serenity said thankfully as Lune
ran with them.
As they were running, Serenity knew she was giving up this
life, but she felt she could finally be free. She was worried about
how to contact Miriam and Lune, but she knew she could not stop now.
Once her parents discovered her missing, she would never be able to
leave the palace again. It was now or never, and she was sure Miriam
would understand.
Everything was going by in a blur as she used her power to
propel them to the transport pods faster. "What about the language
pod?" Wesley asked when they got there. "It is next door. There might
be cleaners, but it does not matter. Just get in."
Wesley and she arrived to find a cleaner on the third pod.
He ran into the first pod, and she activated it. The cleaner ran
toward her. "What are you doing Princess Serenity?" he asked.
"It is one of the guards," she said simply.
"It is so early though, and why do you have that cloak on?"
"Do not concern yourself with these matters. Simply return
to your cleaning."
"They will know we took a transport pod now when he tells
them we used the language pods," Serenity told Wesley when he was
finished. "At least they will not know which planet we chose though.
We should be all right." The two entered a transport pod to Earth.
"Goodbye children," Lune said as she waved sadly, and
Serenity saw the room in the Moon Palace fade away.
To Be Continued...