Passion for a Prince
Chapter 5

By: Silent Moon

Mail: silentmoonstar@yahoo.com

Rated: R

Disclaimer: standard


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And all my armour falling down, in a pile at my feet
And my winter giving way to warm, as I'm singing him to sleep
And all my armour falling down, in a pile at my feet
And my winter giving way to warm, as I'm singing him to sleep
Fiona Apple

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The summer days slipped by with careless grace after that night. Endymion knew a few weeks
of love untouched by anything for the familiarity of everything else washed it all away to
the background....

And although the knowledge that something must eventually change nagged at his mind, the feel
of Sere in his arms each night kept it at bay....until Andrew began to cause real trouble.

He'd long been taunting Endymion about her--this was nothing new. But it was one
afternoon when he caught Andrew hissing in low tones to her that things really began to
surface....

He rounded the corner and there he was, grasping her roughly by the arm.

"You just wait wench. The moment he tires of you I'll be waiting and I'll make you
sorry you ever insulted me!"

And the next moment he was shoving Andrew back, before he even realized it,
"Don't touch her!"

Andrew nearly toppled over backwards and glared back, "Careful brother!"

But Endymion was angry, and it suddenly became very obvious he was the taller and the
stronger, "I forbid you to lay a hand on her!"

"Or what?" Challenged Andrew angrily.

Endymion stepped up to him and glared, "I will fight you."

Andrew snorted, "If that is your worst threat, I fear nothing!"
Then he turned to Sere, "And she is merely a servant, heaven help her if she disobeys me!"

He turned to go and Endymion lept after him prepared to beat the daylights out of his
treachorous soul--but Sere grabbed his arm.

"Let him go."

"What?" Endymion turned around to face her and she caressed his cheek lightly.

"Let him go. It is not worth it. I do not want to be the source of anger between you
and your brother."

Endymion's eyes narrowed, "Has he been threatening you?"

She nodded, "It is alright. I am just very careful not to give him a reason...."

He frowned, the anger in him rising. She was trying not to make waves? This girl who
previously had defied him with such fire? And then it struck him. It was for him.
She was being careful and obediant for him. To match his own passive gentleness!

He took her by the shoulders, "Why didn't you tell me?"

She smiled sadly, "Because I love you and that is all that matters...."

But it struck him then that it most certainly was NOT all that mattered. He was offering
her nothing....nothing but himself--and was he? She was still a servant, still stripped of
her title, still at the mercy of his cruel father and brother and night after beautiful
night she gave herself body and soul to him.

He felt guilt tighten his stomach. This was wrong. If he loved her he should have
something to offer her......more than this.......it was his obligation, as her lover as
her friend.....and as something more....something he'd avoided all his life....it was his
obligation as her Prince.

His eyes suddenly darkened and he pressed his hands into her shoulders, "No more. I admired
your spirit....and now you stifle it for me. That is wrong. I owe you more than that....."

"Why? You owe me nothing...."

"Because I love you."

She smiled gently up at him, "Your love is my life's greatest gift..." She softly caressed
his cheek and it was love's cruelist blow, "You don't owe me anything."

He opened his mouth again to speak when she covered it with her own. Blotting out the rare
spark of strength with persistent love that ebbed him into desire till he swept her back
to the room and let the beauty between them run its course again.

But he did not sleep that night, holding her warm body close, stroking her soft skin as
she slept. She had given herself to him in mind, in body, in soul. And he had returned her
gesture with all the love that burned untouched inside him.

But love had born new emotions in him, a deep sense of responsibility had begun to haunt him,
as well as a selfish desire to steal her away somewhere and live all his life simply enjoying
her love.

He thought that over a long time. Leaving the Castle, foresaking his name and title,
marrying Sere and having a small life with her. A dream.

A dream he had the power to make.

He made the decision and pulled her closer, kissing her hair gently. What he could not shake
was the sense that there was something he was forgetting or forsaking.....he pushed it back
and let the joy of his powerful new dream keep his soul steady through the night.


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*

The next morning Sere awoke expecting to find her Prince gone as usual. He always
rose early to attend his various duties. But this morning found him still warm beneath
her. His eyes were open but he lay very still, running his fingers gently through her
hair.

"Sere..." He whispered.

"It is late my Prince, why are you still here?"

He smiled, "Sere....what if I forsake my name and title....what if I leave all this
and run away....with you. Would you be content with a small life with me....somewhere?"

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, "B-but....you are a Prince.....is that really
what you wish?"

"It is."

"You are not offering this just because of me and our love are you?"

He smiled, Sere was one of the more intelligent women he had encountered in his life--so
much for royalty being the better race.

"No, though it is reason enough my love. I do not wish to stay here and watch my brother
continue my father's cruel reign. I am weary of the corruption this power brings and
long for a simpler life. Having the chance to build that life with you is a gift..."

She smiled and turned so she lay over him, stroking his face gently.

"Will you?" He asked, his blue eyes half-pleading and hopeful, "Be my wife? Run away
with me?"

She gazed at him a long moment, "Are you truly certain my Prince?"

"Endymion...." He said softly, taking her hand and kissing it, "Just Endymion...."

She smiled, "Alright....then....I accept, Endymion...." She had not spoken his name
since the night they first spoke and he was pleased at the sound of it on her lips.

"I will arrange with my most trust guards to steal away tonight. We'll take as little
as possible--but enough to start a small home....a farm..."

She smiled and nodded, "A farm would be lovely...."

He pulled her into a soft kiss, "I love you...." Then he lifted her above him,
"Tell me you love me, say my name...?"

She leaned down impossibly close then, "I love you, Endymion....."

And then there were no more words as she tangled her fingers in his hair and
let her lips speak for her heart....

Endymion turned her over and slipped into her arms. Her body welcoming him with
such love and expectation he was overwhelmed and managed only to whisper "Sere..."
Before he was lost.....

She held him close and drew him into a long kiss as they made love. She thought of
their new life together. Of waking every morning to him....of laying with him like
this every night--she shivered with pleasure.

She would be his wife. This kind, tender man would call her wife till the last moment
of his life. And she would call him husband. That thought filled her with joy.

"I love you..." She moaned into their love making, "...only you...."

She met his eyes at that moment and they spoke all she wanted to hear.....

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*

Endymion had his guards prepare a carriage for both he and Sere, they would travel
separately--to ensure her safety.

His guards gazed sorrowfully at his retreating back after he had made all the necessary
preparations.

"Tis he should take the throne!" The youngest guard exclaimed angrily, "I would gladly
serve him and fight in his name!"

The elder guard shook his head, "What would you do in his place? In love with a beautiful
servant girl you could never truly have? What would you choose?"

The younger guard looked away. He knew he would choose the same, but it did not
ease his conscience any.

The eldest guard sighed too. He had watched Endymion grow up....a kind-hearted child,
a willowy, saddened teen...and a man. A skilled, honorable, soul-strong man. In him
alone lay the potential to be a great King. The guard recognized it as well as if the
Prince had been his own son.

The love of this woman had kindled passion in him...but not enough that he wished
to claim his Kingdom...he didn't blame him...but regret was unavoidable...destiny
seemed to be overlooking them all.

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*

Endymion stood pensive in his room. He had paused in packing the last of
the things they would need--haunted by a strange sensation.

It put him in mind of the Ancient Greeks--where heroes in trying to avoid their
fate ended up bringing it about...

Was he avoiding his destiny?

Sere emerged at that moment and his every uneasy thought vanished. Her hair fell
in a loose braid down her back, soft tendrils framing her face--and as she caught
his eyes she flashed him a dazzling smile.

he was to her in a brief three strides and kissed her tenderly without saying
a word.

"Mmmmmm....what was that for?" She smiled with a soft expression in her eyes
that took his breath away.

"Because, I love you." He said softly.

Her arms found their way round him then, "I love you too."

He carried their things down through the tunnels and gently helped her into
the carriage.

"See you soon my love." She whispered.

His Guards stood around grinning at the beautiful woman who had captured
his heart.

He turned to face them and raised his eyebrows.

"She is lovely." The Elder Guard said, then chuckled.

Endymion smiled then, surprising them all with the unfamiliar gesture,
"I know."

Then he turned serious, his voice quieting as he leaned closer to them,
"In you I entrust what I hold most precious in this world."

They nodded solemnly. The carriage driver stepped forward,
"I understand. I would give my life for her--as I would for you."

He bowed then and a strange expression crossed Endymion's eyes.
"I thank you but....I hope the occasion for such a gesture never arises.
I do not wish anyones' life to pay for my own."

The Elder Guard stiffened--his eyes shadowing with regret.

They were honorable words--but more than that, they were the words of
a King.

He shook his head.

With another sweet goodbye and a stolen kiss she was off and
Endymion stood, watching her disappear before returning to
his chambers--he would leave late that night.

He tried to keep calm over the hours but found it was impossible.
And when the knock came at his door he jumped--nerves overwrought.

It was Andrew, all serious and innocent--and something in his eyes
made Endymion more than suspicious.

"Father has gathered the Court. He wishes you to attend."

"I do not wish to attend." Endymion said slowly, trying to read
his brother.

Then Andrew smiled, terribly.
"You will want to see this." He assured, physically dragging his
brother down the hall.

Andrew continued as his brother protested until they reached the grand
oak doors. Then he stopped and ushered him forward.

"After you."

Endymion's eyes darkened. Something was definetly wrong.

He opened the doors and surveyed the crowd of aristocrats
carefully. He walked down the rows of seats with an ominous
feeling and as he reached the open center his eyes widened.

He sucked in his breath on a sharp gasp of air.
~Oh no...~

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