Chapter 3- Once Upon a Time

-ok... here's chapter 3, I hope you like it! Sorry it took so long! I know Chapter 2 was kinda short, but I sort of got writer's block. This one is longer. Please let me know what you think... please? selene14@hotmail.com. And as always, thanx to Gelasia, my editor! Oh, before I forget! Judith McNaught inspired one of the scenes from this. Oh, and I keep forgetting to write it in my other stories... I don't own Sailor Moon or any of it's characters.

Silver Millennium Alliance (Lunarian Years) and Golden Age 5035(Terran Years):
On the Moon:

Serenity sat beside a window, elbows propped up with her head resting on her hands, watching it rain on the roses outside. She sighed, as she listened to the soft footsteps of the servants bustling behind her. Her gaze moved beyond the gardens to the moon's horizon where the Earth was rising. She had always thought that Earth was beautiful, it was a shame that relations were so terrible. After watching a few more drops slide down the windowpane, she stood, deciding to go for a walk. She walked around the palace, enjoying the swish of her full skirts. Hearing the voices of her guardians to her right, she crept silently to the crack of the door, knowing well that she shouldn't listen, yet compelled to listen nonetheless.
"The Eryians cannot possibly win this war!" Jupiter said.
"And what would you have us do, run to help in every little conflict in the entire universe? We have always been neutral, doing what is best for the Silver Alliance only," Mars argued.
"We can't just sit back while the Menians destroy them. The Eyrians are still very primitive, and very peaceful. The men will be burned before they even have a chance to pick up their weapons! And the women, what will they do? They'll get raped and murdered is what they'll do! And the children will be sold into slavery," Jupiter answered.
"No Jupiter, Mars is right, we cannot interfere, we haven't the right," Mercury said softly. This furthered the Senshi to arguing over the merits of aiding the Eryians.
"Enough!" Venus commanded. "This is a small matter that we've wasted our time on. We will not aid the Eryians because we don't have the time or interest."
"But-"
"Dammit Lita, we've been arguing about this for two days. Two days! It's too trivial to spend so much time on. Yes, it's terrible that the Menians are so power hungry, and they'll probably go to hell for it, but we can't just go into every fight deciding to slice everyone's throat..." Venus trailed off when they all heard a small gasp coming from the doorway. Serenity's eyes widened, clapping her hands to her mouth. She prayed that they hadn't heard her, but she couldn't help giving a small sound of shock. It was rare for the Princess to hear such language, and it always surprised her when it did. Serenity gasped again when she realized she was caught, and she looked up into the older faces of her Senshi looking at her with disapproval. "Serenity-hime, you can't keep doing this," Venus said.
"I'm sorry everyone, but I was curious. Can't I listen for a bit? I have to learn it eventually right?" Serenity asked, looking into the faces of the older girls. Venus sighed, she was right, she didn't even know why they protected Serenity so much, but every time she looked at the small girl she only wanted to protect her, everyone did, even the Queen. Serenity seeing that Venus was half-convinced, prompted, "Please V-chan??"
"Well alright, but then you're going to study with Mercury, ok Princess?" The Princess nodded eagerly and pushed past the Senshi into the room to find a comfortable spot.

On the Earth:
Decorated with roses of every color and illuminated with a combination of its own ethereal light and candles, the Grand Ballroom at the Golden Palace was graced with presence of royalty, courtiers, and ambassadors dressed in their finest for this night. They gathered in their groups, gossiping and trying their best to observe the most wealthy and powerful. Particular attention was paid to the Prince.
He walked into the ballroom, flanked by his guardians, and immediately all attention was turned toward him. All the young girls quickly patted their hair into place and straightened their skirts. Dressed in elegant evening clothes, he stood out amongst all other men. His bored eyes glanced casually at the room's occupants before striding towards the King and Queen, his black cape swirling. He bowed before them, and took his place beside his father.
"Good Evening, Father, Mother," he drawled. His father merely nodded to his son.
"Endymion, why don't you go dance with someone," his mother suggested, hoping he would find a nice girl to marry.
"And who would you suggest?" he asked dryly, not waiting for a response. Knowing his mother's matchmaking ways, he kissed his mother's cheek, and walked away with Malachite, high General, and leader to his Guardians.

"I hear he has a new mistress," one plump busybody gossiped as the Prince walked in the direction of a group of tables near the side of the ballroom.
"Since when is that news?" a blonde beauty answered bitterly. "It's disgraceful Melly! All these women behaving like...like..." she paused, her voice laced with envy.
"Jealous Lizzy?" Robbie Sanders, her cousin, interrupted her angry tirade. And then the room's attention was turned towards the dance floor as a red-headed beauty stepped onto the dance floor with the Prince. "I don't believe it! Beryl is his new mistress?"
"It would seem Beryl has achieved more than any other woman has. At least she makes no silly demands of love and marriage from the likes of him," he laughed, watching his Prince.

On the Moon:

"Mother, do you not think it would be beneficial to both kingdoms if we tried to make relations between the Earth and Moon more friendly?" Serenity asked her mother one night while she gazed out the window towards the light of the Earth. The Queen had come to see her daughter to sleep. It had been long since she had spent good quality time with her beloved daughter.
"Perhaps it would," the Queen replied, as she sat beside her daughter, glancing out the window as well.
"Then why don't we visit them, or they visit us?"
The Queen sighed, "It isn't that simple. We cannot just suddenly appear."
"Well, why don't we just invite them up here?" The Queen laughed at Serenity's simple, innocent logic. Surprisingly, such simplicity would probably work.
"You know Serenity, I think you're quite right. We'll work something out, but for now, you need your beauty sleep."
"Alright," Serenity whispered softly, already falling asleep. The Queen smiled down at her daughter's sleeping face, hoping her daughter would always be so happy and innocent.
"I love you," she said quietly, and left.

On the Earth:

Endymion was sitting in his study, going over his large amount of paperwork. He was going through farming plans, tax plans, and military strategies and finances. His secretary was scurrying about following the Prince's directions, which were fired at the poor secretary rapidly. Of course, this was the speed at which the Prince's mind worked. He inherited his father's genius on the battlefield and more. He was a scholar as well, studying with the best teachers in the land. His tutors had always proclaimed him an intellectual among intellectuals. As his mind pondered the current economic situation, a knock came at his door.
"Enter," was the short reply.
"Your Highness," a servant in livery bowed, "his Majesty requests your presence in his study."
"Thank you," he nodded, and dismissed the servant with a nod of his head.

"You wanted to see me?" Endymion questioned. Not looking up, the King handed an elegantly designed paper to him. Endymion took it and glanced at it. He was slightly surprised, but didn't show it.
"Well? What do you think son?"
"I don't see why not. If we could at least start trade relations, it would be beneficial to both our economies."
"Yes well, right now is a bad time. The majority of the North Atlantic areas has suffered from severe flooding and storming. They need many men to help evacuate and then rebuild. We cannot leave the capital until that is through. I, however, do not want to offend the royal Lunarian family by declining the invitation."
"Then explain the situation, and invite them here instead," Endymion answered logically.

Endymion sighed as he entered his bedchamber. The meeting with his father had run late. He ran a hand through his hair and had the fires lit with a wave of his hand. His cream colored shirt had unbuttoned to expose his tanned chest, and his cape laid draped over his arm. He walked towards his bathroom when he noticed someone in his bed. Beryl sat curled in his black satin sheets, waiting for him. She slowly moved off the bed, and walked towards him. Putting her arms around his neck, she pouted, "What took you so long?"
"A conference with my father."
"Well, why don't I help you relax," she answered seductively. Pressing her body against his, she pressed her lips to his. He returned her kiss, and pulled the sheet away from her body, and pushing her towards the bed.

"Are you going to come to me tonight Endymion?"
"Of course, why would you have to ask?" Endymion asked curiously, looking at her through the mirror.
"Delia is coming back to the palace tomorrow," Beryl casually mentioned, watching Endymion pull on clothes for the day, and she admired the way he looked in his clothes.
"That's wonderful for her."
"Is that all you have to say?" Beryl asked cautiously, knowing she was treading on private territory, and Endymion would become annoyed.
"What more would I have to say?"
Beryl sighed, "Gossip has it that you're finally going to propose to her."
"Why should it matter to you Beryl?" he asked, a mild warning in his voice saying that this was none of her concern. She understood the warning, and smiled up at him.
"It doesn't," she replied, a hint of sorrow in her voice. He nodded to her, pressed a kiss on her brow, and left.

On the Moon:
"Serenity! We're leaving tomorrow for the Earth!" Jupiter announced to the Princess. Serenity walked from an adjoining room into her actual bedroom. She was directing a few servants as they packed her clothes.
"I know Mako-chan," Serenity smiled up at the bigger girl. "I'm so happy. I'll finally be able to see those famous rose gardens!" Jupiter smiled at the younger girl's antics.
"Well just be sure to be ready bright and early."

On the Earth:
"May I present Her Majesty, the Queen Serenity of the Moon, and her daughter, her Highness, the Princess Serenity of the Moon," announced the herald. Each stepped forward and curtsied at their names. They were followed by a large procession that included the Senshi, a few royal advisors, and a few guards and maids. Luna and Artemis, the head advisors were watching over the kingdom for the next fortnight.
"Welcome to Terra, You Highness," the King warmly said.
"Welcome Your Highness," Gaia smiled kindly at the Queen. "Your daughter is so beautiful."
"Thank you, Your Highnesses, please call me Serenity."
"Then you shall call me Gaia and my husband Damian," Gaia said happily. Endymion watched with amusement at the young princess. She was looking around in awe and admiration at all the brilliant colors. He had forgotten that the Queen would have a daughter. And he had to admit, Serenity was beautiful
"Do you like the Earth so far Princess?" he heard his mother ask.
"Oh yes!" Serenity replied shyly. "Are those real red roses?!?" she exclaimed happily. The Queen smiled at her daughter. Endymion merely raised his eyebrows in surprise. Never had he encountered such a female in his life.
Gaia laughed, "Yes they are very real. Perhaps Endymion can show you the rose gardens in a bit."
"Endymion?" Serenity asked curiously. "Is that your gardener?" At this the whole room burst out in shouts of laughter.
"My darling, you are wonderful!" Gaia exclaimed, thinking it funny that someone would mistake Endymion for a gardener. She liked the young princess already. "Endymion is my son. Excuse my terrible manners by not introducing you to him sooner. May I present my son, Prince Endymion."
Serenity blushed a deep crimson. "I'm very sorry Prince Endymion. I meant no offense. I am very pleased to meet you," she said stepping forward, curtsying, staring at her feet in embarrassment.
"I must say Your Highness, this has been a very interesting meeting. It is an honor to have met you," Endymion replied, his deep voice caressing her, his attraction to her surprising him.

Alright! That's it! Let me know what you think. Please review!!!!