Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and the characters belong to their rightful author Naoko Takeuchi.
Signs:
"speaking"
' thinking'
[telepathic]
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Hidden Princess
Eliame
Chapter 0.9
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When Endymion reached Moonlight she had halted outside the camp, obviously waiting for someone. As he stopped as well she said annoyed. "You shouldn't have done that, Your Highness." Just as these words had left her mouth and shocked Endymion as she had used the formal title, the generals and the Senshi broke from the rows of tents. "Endymion, why are you going with her?", Nephrite demanded and the prince turned to them smiling. "Because I want to. But you will stay behind and bring the queen and the Senshi safely to Vendish Castle.", he quickly turned to the warriors of the other planets after saying that. "No offence, princesses. We will meet again at Lord Castal's castle. Travel safe.", he continued and his guards looked concerned, but knew that protesting would be a lost cause, so they just nodded.

Finally Kunzite turned to the healer. "Could you at least show us your face, Gentle Healer?", he asked kindly and Moonlight began to feel guilty. She knew that she couldn't show herself yet. "I am afraid, kind sir, but at the moment I do not have the confidence to do so. I am afraid of what might be the outcome. Forgive me and I ask you sincerely for our trust. I will not hurt your prince.", she told them quite quietly and the guards nodded with some understanding, feeling her uneasiness. They would have liked to know how she looked like but they also didn't want to pester her as the prince seemingly trusted her. The Prince of Earth, on the other hand, was surprised again that night as he heard the uneasiness in the young woman's voice. 'Something must be troubling her and I will surely find out what.', he vowed to himself.

His future companion thanked his generals before she turned back and looked over the field surrounding the camp. Whistling twice, Silverfly appeared once again and she took the reigns, softly halting the horse. Then she waited patiently for the prince to get Midnight, before she mounted. As they were about to start their journey she suddenly turned back to the Senshi and generals. "Senshi.", she spoke softly and the four young women looked up at her. "I hope you will find her soon. May Selene be with us.", were her last words to them before Silverfly galloped away, Midnight following.

The four princesses of the Inner Planets stood there frozen and the generals looked confused. "May Selene be with us. And may we find her soon.", Rei repeated slowly and a tear slid down her cheek. Quickly the eight turned and returned to the centre of the camp. 'Why had the healer said that?', each of the Senshi asked themselves but couldn't figure it out. 'How had she known of their search?' Flustered they sat down around the fire again and it wasn't long until each of the generals soothed one of their nerves. The queen watched the scene with sad eyes, confusion welling up in her.
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Endymion watched the rider on the beautiful horse in front of him in deep thought. 'Why had Moonlight said that? How had she known of the search for the lost princess?' He just couldn't figure out how but he knew for sure that she was an important piece in the puzzle of the lost Moon Princess. Wanting to find out more about exactly what she knew, he straightened himself up and encouraged Midnight to draw up beside Silverfly.

'What has come over me? Why did I say that? I don't even know where the princess is. I only have strange dreams and flashbacks confusing me more and more. I can not be the Moon Princess...But who am I then? And why have Molly and other people of the village told me more than once that I had the aura of a royal about me sometimes? I am not like them that I have known for long. But could I possibly be the Moon Princess and more importantly do I want to be her ? I would just wish that I had at least some evidence that I fit into the puzzle of the vanishing of the princess. I know how it happened but how do I know who I am? I could also be some noble who witnessed what happened on that fateful day. Oh Selene, help me... Why am I asking the Moongoddess for help now? I am totally confused. Just somebody, give me a sign.' The healer fought with herself just getting more and more desperate. The prince and her were already riding for an hour and she was frustrated that she couldn't figure out that puzzle.

She had been annoyed with Endymion when he had declared that he would go with her but now she was quite grateful and decided to thank him for the company. Maybe he would be able to help her figure out this mystery. "How did you know of the Senshi's search for the Moon Princess?", somebody suddenly asked and Moonlight gasped wiping around to come face to face with the man that haunted her thoughts if she wasn't battling with herself about the strange occurrences of the last two days. The question startled her. Of what search was he talking?, the young healer asked herself. "I am sorry, Endymion but I do not know of a search.", she finally told him softly drawing her hood back to be met by fresh air. The Earth Prince was stunned by her answer and amazed by the vision of the young woman on the horse under the moonlight. But at seeing her face he frowned. She looked greatly troubled but seemed to slowly relax as she turned her eyes to meet his. Looking a bit lost she continued. " I apologise if I have done something wrong, kind prince, as well as my rude behaviour while departing. I do not know what possessed me and I must thank you for your company. It does make my journey more comfortable. Maybe you can even help me.", she told him gently before sighing.

Endymion now saw the evident confusion in her eyes and had to hold himself back from instantly bombarding her with questions. He knew that she still needed time to figure out exactly what was bothering her and how it fit into her life. He would ask her after she had done her duty at Vendish castle. Suddenly he remembered that he didn't even know the reason for her urgent journey. 'Why is she on the way to the Lord's castle?', he asked himself and didn't know that he had voiced his thoughts so he was quite surprised when she answered in a soft voice.

"The Lord's wife is ill and Sir Frederick has been sent to fetch me, to take a look at her. I just hope that it isn't anything severe.", as the prince looked up he saw that she had her gaze fixed on the horizon which would soon begin to dawn. Endymion was surprised that his companion didn't seem the least bit exhaust and once again marvelled at her beauty and her unique personality. As the sun rose and the birds began to sing the two fast travellers remained silent each thinking their own thoughts. The prince was confused by his companions different behaviour toward him and the mysteries that hung around her. She showed no sign of exhaustion, riding over the fields while letting the morning sun warm her. The only thing that disturbed her peaceful being seemed to be her thoughts.

Moonlight didn't know what the dream and the flashes wanted to show her and she felt more confused than ever. The prince riding beside her gave her mind a bit of peace which she was grateful for, but still she wanted to figure out this mystery as, she could tell, did her companion. When they neared a lake she slowed down and demounted Silverfly. The young healer had to smile as she saw the surprised expression on the prince's face. "We shall rest here for a few minutes, kind prince.", she explained softly and Endymion smiled, seeing that she relaxed as she took in her surroundings. Getting off his horse as well he sat down in the grass and observed Moonlight who walked down to the shore of the lake.

A warm feeling washed over him and he felt content near her. Suddenly he was aware that she had not only found her way into his thoughts but also his heart. This revelation came as a shock to the Prince of Earth but at the same time as a relief and something wonderful. Remembering her troubled expression he decided to talk to her about what had occurred back in the camp on the remaining part of their journey. He didn't want her to fight her demons and fears alone. He wanted to protect her. Slowly a look of tenderness creaped into his eyes as he watched Moonlight kneel down at the shore of the lake.

The healer's thoughts had once again wandered to the prince she had met not so long ago. He seemed gentle and helpful, showing that he cared a great deal for his people. 'But how much does he care for me?', Moonlight asked herself suddenly, the smile slipping of her face as a lump formed in her throat. 'Why is it so important for me that he cares? Why should I be an exception?', she asked herself observing the other side of the lake. 'Because you love him.', a small voice called and Moonlight's eyes widen slightly. 'Could I love him?', it shot through the young woman's mind as she lowered her head to watch the lake's surface ripple.

A startled gasp escaped her lips as her mirror image formed on the water. But her reflection didn't show the gentle healer in her cloak, but a beautiful young woman in a flowing white dress. Her azure eyes where shining brightly as was the golden crescent moon on her forehead. ' Remember princess.', the wind seemed to whisper into the healer's ear and images of the dream shot through her head again as well as a beautiful flower garden and royal corridors. A tear escaped the corner of her eye and dropped into the lake destroying the reflection and the train of flashes in her mind.

Suddenly a hand grasped her shoulder and turned her around. Endymion's own eyes widened as he saw the tears which were now silently flowing from Moonlight's. He immediately took her into a gentle hug and began to whisper soothing words, all the while stroking her back in an comforting gesture. 'What has she seen in the lake that made her cry?', he thought silently as concern and protectiveness for the woman in his arms flooded him.

Moonlight was surprised as strong arms suddenly wrapped tenderly around her, protecting her from the world and letting her close her eyes, her tears escaping freely. A soothing voice let her relax in the prince's chest and a small smile crept onto her face as her tears ceased. The prince had saved her as she had done for him the day she had met. As she felt safe in his arms only one thought came to her. 'I definitely love him, even if I know that it will hurt me in the end. I love Endymion.', another tear escaped her as she let her soul be warmed by the presence of the kind prince accompanying her. When Moonlight finally straightened again in his arm Endymion looked down coming face to face with her now shining eyes. They seemed to hold understanding but at the same time great confusion. It confused the prince as well but he didn't mention it, observing her face for quite a while. Something faint on her forehead caught his attention but he couldn't recognise it and finally asked her if she was alright. She only nodded with a smile and the prince was overcome with the urge to kiss her. But he restrained himself not wanting to scare her. Gently helping her up, he still didn't let go of her waist since she didn't mention it the two stood together, looking into the distance.

After some minutes Moonlight suddenly snapped out of her daze and remembered the real reason for her journey. A gasp escaped her lips and Endymion once again focused his attention on her. "We have to continue our journey, Endymion.", she told him softly, looking into his eyes. " Alright.", he returned finally letting go of her waist and following her to the horses who had began to grass. Both mounting, the two encouraged their mounts to go into a gallop. Silverfly and Midnight neighed good-natured and took off again, Moonlight laughing lightly while the Prince of Earth just grinned. He would definitely find out what troubled her and protect her.
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Well, that was it for Chapter 9. Chapter 10 in about a week.
Eliame

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