~glares at the still attantive lawyer~ what the H)&& do you want? I've said my disclaimer already!

A short bald lawyer speaks up. "You forgot a part."

"What? Oh yeah. Sry. Ok here it goes. I do not own sailor moon or escaflowne.Both belong to their original owners and creaters. But I do own the plot of this story"

The lawyers nod and pack up, leaving the room and taking their suit cases with them.

"Finally, peace at last!"

Stolen Love

The council went ballistic. Shouts of "Your highness! She! She isn't even a princess! There is no hint of noble blood within her." And "Lord Van! You can't just go around marrying a commoner what will the people say?"

Serena didn't know what to say. It was WAY to early and she wasn't sure if she was ready. "ARE YOU CRAZY?! I'm only 16! I have my whole life ahead of me. I'm not ready for these kind've obligations. I'm still a minor for Kami sakes!" Serena's mind was jumbled. She couldn't think right. One side of her wanted to shout out to the world. Yes, I'm going to be Mrs. Serena Fanel. The other side wasn't sure if she was ready and if Van was the one. What about her fiancé? Darien is still out there somewhere. Here on Gaea. And what about the outers? Serena ran out of the dining room, onto the balcony and stopped, realizing that she had nowhere else to go. She was in an unfamiliar land, where the only people she knew of were the one's that she had met on Earth. One of them she probably just hurt. 'What have I done? Van probably thinks I hate him or something. but I didn't know what to do!'

Van watched as Serena ran away. A stinging in his heart, hurt flashed through his eyes. 'Maybe it was to soon. However, the council isn't going to wait much longer. They need something to reassure them that Fanelia will have an Heir. Yet they don't believe Sere is qualified enough. I'll show them. Serena would make a wonderful queen. Fanelia need a queen to help guide the kingdom while the soldiers, knights, and myself are out fighting with the Ziabok Empire. Sere I'm so sorry but if we are to be together things will have to be rushed.' Van strode out after her, determined to make his goddess understand why their relationship had to be rushed. He found her on a balcony, looking up at the moon. She seemed to be entranced with it and was talking to it? He leaned against the doorway and decided to wait till she realized he was there and find out why she was talking to the moon.

Since at the moment, Serena needed comfort from a friend or family, she decided to turn to her mother.. Selene. To any ordinary person it would have looked like she was talking to herself or more specifically the moon. But in truth, she was talking to her mother that guided her, and protected her from her true birthplace. The moon. "Mother. I don't know what to do. You've seen Van right? I-I do have feelings for him, but I still love Darien to. I don't know which one is the one for me. And now. I'm bonded with that energist. For some reason its amplifying my feelings toward that boy. Yet... I thought Darien and I were the perfect couple. We were meant to be. Weren't we? Do I really want to live a life that's pre-determined?"

Van was startled by her words. 'Did she say that the moons was her mother? What-What is going on? Ands who's this Darien guy anyways? It sounds familiar though. There's no way I'm going to give up Sere now that I've finally found her. Wait! She said she had feelings for me! Maybe there's still a chance!

Serena waited patiently for a reply from her mother. Soon a flickering light was seen on the rail and a hologram of her mother appeared.

Selene was glad to see her daughter again. She had also noticed the young man standing behind her musume but decided not to say anything about it, "I'm sorry Sere, but you have to follow your heart. I can't help you choose your path. I may be a goddess but I still have certain restrictions. As long as you are living on this planet or on earth, I am not allowed to interfere with your life and decisions. Just remember this my child. Fate and Destiny no longer have control of you. Choose your own path, and always listen to your heart. No, matter the situation. Now I believe we have an audience, are you not going to introduce me?" Her eyes twinkled with amusement. She was enjoying this little game.

Serena was shocked, when she turned around, there stood Van. How long had he been here? "What-what did you here?"

Van's eyes softened. "everything. Serena what is going on? Tell me what is this all about? I came to apologize and explain and I find this hologram?"

~outside the walls of the castle~

A group of bandits dressed in black was discussing on what to do. The chieftess gave out instructions on what they were to do. She had Very dark purple hair and looked to be the age of 12 though very young, she had gained the respect of her minions. Her father was the leader of the group and had gone off to tend to some business, putting her in charge of al their raids. "Ok guys. you see those to people up there on that balcony? That's King Van. If we want to get rich, we have to grab something that he finds precious. Something that he will pay anything for. Terry and Grub go knock out the guards. Those council members won't know what hit them. It's said that Lady Hitomi has returned. She will do perfectly. After the guards are knocked out, comeback and the others will go in and grab the wench. Bring her back to me at the hideout. If you can't get the girl then grab the nearest noble lady you can find. GO!" Hotaru gave out the orders then she disappeared within the shadows and returned to their lair, a large cavern in a valley, just outside of the forest.

Serena was about to respond when they heard shouting for help. The two ran back to the dining room, completely forgetting about the hologram. When they arrived at the scene, they found Allen and some of the other council members battling a group of bandits. They saw that a few were sneaking behind Hitomi. Serena wasn't about to let them hurt her friend. She ran overt o protect her and started hand-to-hand combat with the wanna be kidnappers. Soon Van joined the fray and went to help Allen fend off the bandits. The group of thugs were beginning to get beat back. The one who was put in charge welled for them to retreat and grab the woman. A bandit lunged at Hitomi but Serena got in the way, protecting her. After many attempts to get at Hitomi, they decided to just use the back up plan. Several of them grabbed Serena and they took off, back to the lair with Serena kicking and protesting.

Van was enraged, and felt guilty. He ran after them but it was to late, they had gone to far and he couldn't track them. He ambled back to his castle. 'It's all my fault. I couldn't protect her.'

~At the lair~

Hotaru glared at the boys, who had dragged a different girl back with them. No matter. She would still do. She sent one of her boys back to the castle to give Van the ransom letter.

Serena glanced at the leader. She was surprised. "Hotaru??!!!" She would have never thought that Hotaru, Sailor Saturn would be the leader of these thugs.

"How do you know my name? And who are you?" Hotaru asked, suspicious. Though the girl did look familiar Serena tried to explain to her friend about the past, hoping to maybe stir up a forgotten memory. But Hotaru just thought it was nonsense. She ordered the guys to take her to the back of the cavern and tie her up. They would give Van 5 days to pay up or the girl would be history.

~At Selene's hologram~ She silently said to herself. "It now begins.." and the Hologram teleported away.

The real Selene stood in the misty place, watching through the orbs, Her King by her side. "So how long do you think it'll take for our grand daughter to remember?"

TBC

Another chapter done and I hope you enjoyed it.

Id like to give thanks to my friend Hikaru-Shido (she's not a ff.net auther) for helping me with this fic and giving me some great ideas!

Falconess